Navigating return to work after injury or illness poses challenges. Returning too quickly risks re-injury, while staying out too long can escalate work comp costs. Achieving the right timing for return to work is a complex task. When physicians greenlight an employee's return, it primarily addresses medical readiness. However, the functional capabilities of the employee remain unknown. This is where return-to-work functional testing becomes invaluable, whether through a comprehensive FCE or a concise return-to-work/fit-for-duty screen. Regardless of the approach, such testing furnishes essential functional information that facilitates a smoother return-to-work process.