After leave, return-to-work approaches should be ‘early, coordinated and sustained,’ DOL official says

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The likelihood of an employee returning to work after injury drops off significantly as the weeks go on, Julie Hocker said.

Published Aug. 3, 2026

DMEC CEO Bryon Bass and Julie Hocker, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy, during a fireside chat at the DMEC 2026 annual conference at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Conference Center in Nashville, Tenn. Only about 4 in 10 employers have formalized stay-at-work programs, per Bass.

Ginger Christ/HR Dive, data from HR Dive