You might see it in a work note, an email from HR, or a doctor's restriction sheet saying something like "return to work on light duty only" or "no lifting over 10 pounds." In plain terms, light duty means modified work that is easier or safer than a worker's regular job because of an injury, illness, or physical restriction. It usually involves temporary limits on lifting, climbing, bending, driving, standing, or other tasks that could make the condition worse.

On a jobsite, in a warehouse, or behind the wheel, that can mean being moved from heavy physical work to inspection, paperwork, traffic control, or another role that fits the doctor's restrictions. Sometimes the title stays the same while the actual tasks change; sometimes it is a completely different assignment for a while.

For an injury claim, light duty can affect both wage loss benefits and whether a worker is seen as cooperating with recovery. In Virginia, an employer may offer "selective employment" under Virginia Code § 65.2-510. If that work fits the medical restrictions and the worker refuses it without good cause, workers' compensation benefits can be suspended. If the light-duty job pays less than the pre-injury job, the worker may still qualify for temporary partial disability benefits through the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission.