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Gradual return to work (GRTW)

An integrative measure connecting the medical-therapeutic system and the workplace

Gradual return to work (GRTW) is a voluntary, medical-therapeutic measure for employees who are unable to work and who are returning to work one step a time after a long or severe illness. GRTW is frequently used interchangeably with the German term "Hamburger Modell". The measure is anchored in § 44 German Social Code IX and § 74 German Social Code V, as well as in the incapacity for work directive of the Federal Joint Committee and the associated annex to GRTW.

This baua: Facts complements the baua: Guidance "Die Rückkehr gemeinsam gestalten - Wiedereingliederung nach psychischen Krisen" [Managing RTW Together: Returning to Work after Mental Crises].

English translation. German original version available:
doi:10.21934/baua:fakten20210602

Bibliographic information

Title :  Gradual return to work (GRTW). An integrative measure connecting the medical-therapeutic system and the workplace

Written by:   I. L. Schulz, A. Sikora, U. B. Schröder, R. Stegmann

1. edition .  Dortmund:  Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin, 2024. 
(RTW - Return to Work 2)
pages:  4, Project number : F 2319, F 2459, PDF file , DOI: 10.21934/baua:facts20241217

Download file "Gradual return to work (GRTW)" (PDF , 189 KB, Barrier-free file )

Further Publications

Managing RTW Together: Returning to Work after Mental Crises

baua: Guidance 2021

(in German)

The proportion of workers on sick leave due to mental illnesses such as depression, adjustment disorders, and anxiety has risen constantly in recent years in Germany. Mental disorders are now the second-most-common diagnosis group for which sick notes are issued. As a result, returning to work …

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Professional RTW conversations

baua: Facts 2024

Professional preparation and support for employees returning to work (RTW) should involve personalized, one-on-one trusting conversations together with the returning employees. In this process, returning employees are perceived as "experts on their own behalf". The joint dialogue focuses on …

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Psychosomatic and psychotherapeutic consultation at work (PCW/PT-A)

baua: Facts 2024

Psychosomatic (PCW) and psychotherapeutic (PT-A) consultation at work offers employees easy access to counseling by medical or psychological therapists. It can support employees during mental health crises, provide coaching in stressful situations, and serve as an early detection tool for mental …

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Further Information

Return to Work (RTW) and Operational Integration Management (OIM)

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Research Project

Project number F 2319 Status Completed Project Communicative Action as a factor in the return-to-work-process from the perspective of return-to-work coordinators - A qualitative study for development of a best practice guide

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Research completed

Project number F 2459 Status Completed Project Gradual Return to Work (G-RTW): Current implementation and potentials for further improvement

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Research completed

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