Begonia
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2011
- Messages
- 3,453
I'm set to return to work after short term disability. I herniated/reherniated my L2L3 disc, altho without imaging we can't be sure. Imaging has been ordered but is so slow to get in the health care system I'm in. I've considered going private altho, I am on the mend. There have been flare ups amd set backs which I'm told are normal and to be expected. Along with that I have osteoporosis and am a chronic back pain survivor. The origin of the pain was a work place accident that left me with a chronic back problem. I did not win my claim against the behemoth company I work for and our version of Workers Comp. The company had lawyers and I did not. I had to be represented by my union.
I've been in contact with my employer HR dept throughout and, being under a doctor and physio care, have plenty of documentation to back me up.
Yesterday I forwarded on my latest EMA (employee medical assessment) as completed by the doctor, indicating I would be starting a slow and gradual return to work. The HR lady's emails sent some very mixed messages ranging from "it's great you're on the mend and ready to return" (several like that) to the last being "this work environment may put you at risk despite your best efforts".
She's not wrong. My work environment is fast paced and physically challenging at times, and perpetually understaffed. I have no options left to move within the company and there is alot of pressure on me to make this work.
I've been off for 7 months. 2 were a worksafe claim where I had frozen shoulder, 1 month was my vacation block. Near the end of my block, I experienced symptoms of herniation as I'd been exercising and conditioning to return to work. I was devastated that it happened and scared what it would mean in terms of employment. Fortunately STD kicked in and I was able to pay my bills. I'm still recovering and physio, my doc and I feel I can do a very gradual RTW. Then, that statement in the email. I'm trying not to let it undermine my confidence but am wondering if it's a gentle heads up I'm about to be in a fight to keep my job.
Going back to work after being off for so long is hard. Physically, yes, but emotionally I'm struggling. I need this job as I have very few marketable skills and it pays above what I can make otherwise, along with the benefits
I'm forging ahead with the plan and hoping to hear from the HR support team about my GRTW. If they become more insistent that I'm unsuited for that environment, I'll get my union involved. There's plenty of precedent to show others have been hurt and off work on STD more than once (as have I).
It's a lot to deal with the past few days and I'm quite stressed.
I've been in contact with my employer HR dept throughout and, being under a doctor and physio care, have plenty of documentation to back me up.
Yesterday I forwarded on my latest EMA (employee medical assessment) as completed by the doctor, indicating I would be starting a slow and gradual return to work. The HR lady's emails sent some very mixed messages ranging from "it's great you're on the mend and ready to return" (several like that) to the last being "this work environment may put you at risk despite your best efforts".
She's not wrong. My work environment is fast paced and physically challenging at times, and perpetually understaffed. I have no options left to move within the company and there is alot of pressure on me to make this work.
I've been off for 7 months. 2 were a worksafe claim where I had frozen shoulder, 1 month was my vacation block. Near the end of my block, I experienced symptoms of herniation as I'd been exercising and conditioning to return to work. I was devastated that it happened and scared what it would mean in terms of employment. Fortunately STD kicked in and I was able to pay my bills. I'm still recovering and physio, my doc and I feel I can do a very gradual RTW. Then, that statement in the email. I'm trying not to let it undermine my confidence but am wondering if it's a gentle heads up I'm about to be in a fight to keep my job.
Going back to work after being off for so long is hard. Physically, yes, but emotionally I'm struggling. I need this job as I have very few marketable skills and it pays above what I can make otherwise, along with the benefits
I'm forging ahead with the plan and hoping to hear from the HR support team about my GRTW. If they become more insistent that I'm unsuited for that environment, I'll get my union involved. There's plenty of precedent to show others have been hurt and off work on STD more than once (as have I).
It's a lot to deal with the past few days and I'm quite stressed.
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