Work Related Injuries

[Islay]

Hi,

Are work related injuries sick treated the same and 'normal' sick?
In other words we have trigger points for sick, but I was wondering if the said sick was as a result of an injury in the workplace would it be treated the same?
I can't check the guidance at the moment but would like to get an idea of where I stand in the greater scheme of things.
Thank you

[murraymints]

treated the same in Civil Service here ...

[murraymints]

but put details in accident book for potential injuries at work compensation payments...

[Eve]

I'm not sure but I'd have thought they were counted towards sick leave on your record, as it is sick leave, but that, should there be any action such as a formal absence review triggered (which they may not have any discretion over if it's automatic within your workplace policy), they may have some discretion as to what, if anything is done.

It all depends on the circumstances though and your employer's policy. It may have an impact on whether the workplace was at fault in any way for the injury or whether it wasn't their fault as such, just happened in the workplace. Also the time off sick for that, compared to other time off sick within the trigger period (possibly previous time too) and the reason for that time off sick. For example, if a large part of the sickness absence was for a reason that they would be likely to look to refer to occupational health for assistance and monitor things in a review period, rather than a warning.

I'm not sure if ACAS cover where you live, but worth checking with them if so, they have a lot of information on their website and a helpline. http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1461

If you have a Union at work which you are in, could be worth having a chat with your rep too.

[Islay]

Thank you Eve for taking the time to answer - can't get a shoe ontoday and was also advised not to drive as I would not be able to do an emergency stop.
Boss has marked it down as sick, I am also on antibiotics as its dangerous for me to get an infection due to other issues I have - so its not like I could just pull on a sock and hobble around.
Thanks for your time will speak to the union rep next time I am in.

[Eve]

No worries. If you have a condition which could be considered as a disability (the scope might be wider than you'd think) then it might be worth checking if your employer offers disability leave and if you would qualify to be able to negotiate it if needed at any point. It's essentially time off which is related to a disability, which is recorded separately to sick leave. Could be useful to know for the future if it applies, I'm not sure if it can be negotiated retrospectively but might be worth asking if so.

Also, depending on your personal circumstances, a referral to Occupational Health could be asked for to see if they would advise on whether your trigger point could be extended due to medical issues, if it's reasonable to expect that, due to your medical conditions, that you may have more time off sick than someone without those medical conditions.

For example, if someone has a compromised immune system then it may be reasonable to expect that they may have more time off sick than someone who isn't, due to increased risk of illness, that illness may be more severe, recovery time may be longer, other complications, prevention etc... OH could be asked to consider the individual's circumstances and advise on whether any adjustments, such as extending a trigger point, should be made.

I've seen your other post, your poor thing! I hope that it's not causing you too much pain and discomfort and you can manage the pain on what you can take. I'm on immunosuppressant medication and get the need to be very careful where infections are concerned. I hope that it heals up well and is better soon, take care x

[Islay]

Thanks Eve, I have an allowance but my manager is a moron! and will not use any discretion at all - when I phoned in explaining that I could not even get a shoe on let alone drive (the hospital said as icannot do an emergency stop I should not be driving) was I taking it as leave?
I am due back in on Monday but have another appointment regarding this injury then off on leave for 2 weeks so won't be able to do anything till after then so we shall see.
Once again thank you for your fully informed answer. xx

[mccfluff]

make sure a riddor report is done to NR HSE - it qualifies.

[Prudie]

I work under TUPE'd Civil Service T&Cs and industrial injuries do not count towards sick trigger points for restoring efficiency action or warnings.