Almost every placement features a wage subsidy, which is a reimbursement at the rate of 50 percent of the wages paid for the light-duty job, for a period of up to three months. Far fewer programs include a worksite modification or purchase. Worksite modifications are designed to allow the injured worker to perform within the limitations of the injury. An example of a worksite modification is an ergonomic chair. These modifications become the property of the employer.
Purchases are items that are necessary for the job setup, regardless of worker disability.
Light duty can take the form of reduced work hours, modified work tasks, etc., as well as modified workstations and equipment. Although reimbursements for worksite modifications under the EAIP are relatively uncommon, modified workstations and equipment may be more prevalent in Oregon than in the neighboring state of California, according to preliminary results of research done by the RAND Institute. Also, administrative rules were revised in 1997 to encourage higher wage offers. More than 1,800 different employers used the EAIP in 1999. The average length of these programs was 74 days.