Returning to work after a workplace injury can feel like a scary task. Lots of people worry that they won’t be as good at their job as they were before, or are concerned that they will be more nervous in the workplace. If you can relate to this, don’t worry – it is very normal for your confidence to take a knock after an injury, and it is entirely possible for you to bounce back to working.
From networking with friendly colleagues to speaking to your boss about making your return easier, here are a few ways to make your return to work easier.
After The Injury
In 2016, nearly 3 million people were injured at work (although thankfully this number seems to be decreasing), and many of these people received compensation for their injuries, so the first thing that you should do is speak to a lawyer about claiming compensation. Tait and Hall state that it is possible to receive compensation for a wide range of injuries, including construction injuries or office injuries.
Returning To Work
Returning to work may take a while, especially if you have an injury that will take months or even years to heal. During your time off it can be useful to contact your boss from time to time so that you can find out what it is going on at work. This means that you will feel less out of the loop when you return.
Once you return to work you may have to attend a meeting to help welcome you back. This meeting is mainly so that your employer can make your return to work easy and safe; they may need to provide you with a specially made chair, or they may suggest that your workload will be lighter for the first few weeks. For instance the most common workplace accident in the US is hearing loss, and if you need to communicate as part of your job your employer may alter your role so that you don’t need to rely on your hearing while you are working.
Getting Back On The Mountain After An Injury
After an injury it is totally normal to feel nervous about getting back on the mountain, but if you follow the right outdoor safety tips you are less likely to be injured again in the future. For instance if you are a skiier you should make sure that your bindings are set correctly, as this will reduce the chance of a future knee injury, and it can also be useful to take frequent rest days so that you don’t encounter muscle fatigue.
You may also need to undergo some physical therapy before you return to the mountain, especially if you underwent surgery. This will help your body to return to its original strength, as you may find that the injured area of your body is weaker than it was before you were injured. This is especially true if you teach skiing or snowboarding and you injured your leg, as both sports put a lot of pressure on your joints. For this reason it is essential that you are patient about your healing process, as returning to the mountains too soon could result in an even worse injury.
Getting back to your normal life doesn’t need to be a scary or overwhelming task. Just make sure to reach out to your boss so that you can speak to them about your concerns and issues, as this will help you to feel supported and positive about returning to work.