Weekend warriors, community footy legends or just overdoing it in the garden, what to do when staff rock up to work injured.
Non-work-related injury, not our problem?
Think again.
The truth of the matter is, if an external injury is aggravated at work, it is likely to be deemed a work-related injury or aggravation, open to Workers Compensation including medical and like expenses and weekly compensation.
Injuries that occur outside of work can be an exceptionally tricky area for employers and front-line managers to work through. It is also a worrying time for the individual, unsure of what services and support they will receive.
The mental white noise of navigating how to reintroduce, manage and support this worker usually sits with HR and Safety Managers. Thoughts and plans around when should they return? What can they do? Do they come back on full duties? How bad is their injury? What can we do to support them mentally and physically? These and more are all valid questions that should be addressed before they come back onsite.
Unfortunately, too many workers are returning with an outside work injury with a one sentence medical certificate stating that they are fit for full duties, when the reality is that they are returning to full duties, far too early.
On the flip side, we have seen numerous workplaces that excel in this area. They have a proactive strategy even before the injury occurs.
So, what are these high performing workplaces doing right, and where do you currently stack up?
The Platinum Standard
Ensure all potential team members undertake a Pre-Employment Medical Screen to ensure their personal safety and risk profile is matched to the most appropriate role from the get-go.
Offer income protection insurance options that allow people to take additional leave without the fear of income loss.
Arrange a Fitness For Work Assessment for the individual to ensure they can meet and safely manage the inherent duties of the role prior to returning onsite (if the injury is significant enough).
Provide onsite physiotherapy and access to mental health support services.
Put in place proactive strategies to assess injury data to implement changes to reduce risk and increase productivity.
Create a positive culture where injuries are reported, supported, and resolved.
The Gold Standard
Provide onsite physiotherapy and mental health support services.
Put in place proactive strategies to assess injury data to implement changes to reduce risk and increase productivity.
Create a positive culture where injuries are reported, supported and resolved.
The Bog Standard
Juggle injuries as they arise.
Run short staffed and overload remaining staff.
Reactively refer offsite for ad hoc medical support.
Have a culture where people are afraid to report injuries.
It can be incredibly beneficial to get support to reduce the white noise around managing injuries. Partnering with an organisation that can assess, treat, and support each worker is a great step towards exceling in injury management.
It’s important to utilise a team that are additionally trained in WHS and Workers Compensation to ensure support with any plans and legislative requirements, so you don’t put a foot wrong.
View our website to read more about Industry specific Onsite Treatment, Mental Health Support, Fitness For Work Assessments or Pre-Employment Medical Screening.
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Team Summit
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