Discrepancies exist between return-to-work best practices described in the literature and those implemented in the workplace. This is based on a review of the integrative literature on return-to-work interventions, case studies and interviews with key actors including workers from several organizations, both private and public.

This study shows that practices are unevenly applied in organizations. The supervisor does not always make a swift contact with the worker as soon as the accident occurs; workstations evaluations and the implementation of return-to-work solutions are not  common practices, supervisors training and experience are sometimes insufficient; policies and procedures are incomplete, not formalized and not specific to a return-to-work scenario.

Researchers provide possible solutions to reduce these differences between the practices and suggests the development of a process of continuous improvement in return to work that would be adapted to the context of different organizations.