AGENDA

Session Title: Optimizing Return-To-Work, Light Duty Solutions That Work

Speaker: Christine Nickloes

Christine Nickloes is the Executive Director of Operations for the Absence Management Division at Sheakley, bringing more than 30 years of experience in the workers’ compensation industry. Throughout her career, she has partnered with employers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators to design and implement policies that strengthen return-to-work programs and deliver measurable cost savings.

Christine began her career as an Occupational Health Manager for a large national employer, where she developed a return-to-work program that generated $1.9 million in savings within its first year. She later founded a successful consulting practice, helping national employers implement effective transitional work strategies. At Sheakley, Christine played a pivotal role in developing the organization’s nonprofit transitional light-duty program and, following COVID, led the rollout of innovative virtual placement opportunities that provide transitional light duty placement for almost all restrictions.  

Christine is passionate about mentoring industry professionals and advancing innovative return-to-work strategies.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to:

1. Understand key components of a successful transitional light duty program and how they support employee recovery
2. Explore how nonprofit placement can support transitional work and improve outcomes.
3. Apply best practices for collaboration between HR, medical providers and supervisors to optimize program effectiveness.
4. Analyze case studies demonstrating measurable cost savings and improved return-to-work outcomes.