Focus area 05 · Planned build
Keep workers employed after injury or diagnosis
Early intervention through RETAIN-style programs keeps workers on the job after injury or new disability. This calculator estimates ROI for state stay-at-work coordinators and employer HR teams.
Retention through early support
RETAIN retention gain
+12pp
DOL Phase 2 evaluation
Turnover cost per hire
$18K
Mid-skill role average
Time-to-first-contact
14 days
RETAIN model target
Program ROI
3.5:1
RETAIN meta-analysis
Why RETAIN-style matters
Every state loses workers to preventable exits after new injury or diagnosis. RETAIN (Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury/Illness Network) demonstrations show that early coordinated intervention (14 days), accommodation review, and phased return keep 12 percentage points more workers employed than usual care. That translates to fewer SSDI applications, fewer state Medicaid enrollments, and higher payroll tax revenue.
Model your organization's RTW ROI.
1,000
4%
$18,000
Model output
Myth or Fact?
"Early intervention (within 14 days) is the single strongest predictor of successful return-to-work."
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FACT. RETAIN evaluation showed workers contacted within 14 days of injury had 3× the RTW rate of those contacted after 30 days.Source: DOL RETAIN Phase 2 Evaluation Report.
Myth or Fact?
"RTW programs only pay off for large employers."
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MYTH. RTW ROI is per-worker retained. A 250-person employer with 4% annual injury turnover typically breaks even on the first retained worker each year.Source: DOL Cost-Benefit Studies.