Under the Act Respecting Industrial Accidents and Occupational Diseases (LATMP), the CNESST allows an employer to reintegrate a worker through a temporary assignment, in accordance with their residual functional capacities and with the approval of their attending physician.

Temporary assignment offers several advantages:

• Financial benefits: A temporary assignment interrupts income replacement indemnities, thereby reducing the impact on your CNESST experience rating.
• Human resources management: It supports proactive HR management, helping maintain a harmonious work environment and preventing team disruption.
• Worker well‑being: It allows the worker to maintain a connection with their employer and colleagues, supporting a faster recovery and facilitating a sustainable return to work.

When a work accident results in an absence, it is essential to provide the worker with the CNESST temporary assignment form, available on their website. The worker must have it completed by their attending physician and return it to you after the consultation.

Three conditions must be met for the physician to authorize a temporary assignment:

• The worker must be reasonably able to perform the proposed tasks.
• The tasks must pose no risk to the worker’s health, safety, or physical integrity, given their injury.
• The proposed work must contribute positively to the worker’s rehabilitation.

What types of tasks can be offered in a temporary assignment?

The tasks must respect the worker’s functional limitations. Examples include administrative duties, coaching, or handling light loads (less than 5 kg), among others.

If you are unsure which tasks to propose or need help creating a task inventory tailored to each situation, our experts can assist you in formulating your requests.

If the attending physician refuses: what can you do?

If the attending physician declines the proposed tasks, our designated physician can conduct an independent medical evaluation. This assessment will help justify your requests and obtain approval that meets CNESST requirements.

We’re here to support you!

Our experts are available to provide personalized guidance and help you implement an optimized approach to temporary assignment management.