How are vague restrictions such as “light duty” or “take it easy for a week” handled?

If an employer is not clear about the physician or other licensed health care professional’s recommendation, they may ask that person whether the employee can do all of the employee’s routine job functions and work all of the employee’s normally assigned work shift. If the answer to both of these questions is ‘yes,’ then the case does not involve a work restriction and does not have to be recorded as such. If the answer to one or both of these questions is ‘no,’ the case involves restricted work and must be recorded as a restricted work case.

If the employer is unable to obtain this additional information from the physician or other licensed health care professional who recommended the restriction, record the injury or illness as a case involving restricted work.