5 Ways Unum Insurance Helps Employees Return to Work After Illness or Injury

Introduction

Getting back to work after a serious illness or injury isn’t easy. Recovery takes time — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

That’s why Unum Insurance does more than just pay disability claims. It actively supports employees on the road back to the workplace, helping them return with confidence, readiness, and the resources they need to succeed.

In this post, we explore 5 key ways Unum supports recovery and return-to-work success.

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1. Return-to-Work Coordination

When an employee is out on disability leave, Unum provides dedicated return-to-work specialists who:

• Create customized reintegration plans
• Communicate with doctors and HR
• Coordinate a gradual return to work when needed
• Monitor progress and adjust support as necessary

✅ This reduces stress for both employees and HR, and ensures everyone’s on the same page.

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2. Modified Duty and Flexible Scheduling

Some employees can’t come back full-time immediately — and that’s okay.

Unum works with employers to design transitional work arrangements, such as:

• Shortened work hours
• Modified responsibilities
• Remote or hybrid options

💬 Flexibility helps employees build confidence while regaining strength — and keeps teams running smoothly.

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3. Mental Health and Emotional Recovery Support

Recovery isn’t just physical. Many returning employees face:

• Anxiety about reinjury
• Depression from long absences
• Burnout or stress during reintegration

Unum Insurance often includes Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) that offer:

• Short-term counseling
• Referrals to therapists
• Mental health education
• Return-to-work coaching

✅ Employees feel seen and supported holistically — not just as workers, but as people.

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4. Claims Closure and Follow-Up

As an employee nears the end of their disability benefits, Unum:

• Confirms that they are medically cleared to return
• Ensures payroll and benefits are updated
• Helps close out remaining claims
• Advises on additional resources if long-term support is needed

This helps prevent confusion and ensures a smooth handoff between leave and re-entry.

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5. Proactive Communication with Employers

HR teams don’t have to guess what’s next. Unum provides:

• Status updates throughout the employee’s recovery
• Recommendations for accommodations
• Alerts on claim milestones and expected return dates
• Guidance on ADA and FMLA compliance

✅ That means fewer surprises, better planning, and a more humane reboarding process.

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Bonus: Support for Long-Term Disability Transitions

In some cases, an employee isn’t able to return in the expected timeline. Unum can help guide the shift from:

• Short-term to long-term disability
• Active employee status to LTD coverage
• Benefit continuation options

This ensures financial support continues — even if recovery takes longer than expected.

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Final Thoughts

Getting better is hard. Coming back shouldn’t be.

Unum Insurance helps bridge the gap between time off and time back at work — supporting employees with compassion and tools that make the transition smoother.

From custom schedules to mental health resources and ongoing communication, Unum ensures your people return not just to work, but to wellness.

If your business values a caring, productive workplace, make sure return-to-work support is part of your benefits strategy — and Unum is part of the plan.