Various workplace actors play key roles in the return-to-work process and their respective roles are reflected in the return-to-work strategy.

Key actors include the person concerned who is absent from work as a result of injury, illness, health condition or disability; their employer; co-employees; and trade unions, employee representatives and other advocates. Where a trade union is represented in the workplace, the return-to-work strategy is consensus based, involving the union at every stage.