Work cover,the stigma.

**sueoc** · 09-05-2009, 09:31 AM

Hi,it has become apparent to me that Employers are extremely over zealous when processing Resumes to find out if prospective applicants have ever been on work cover,to a degree i can understand their concern,however i have spoken to several Aussies on this subject,and the general opinion is that Employers will not entertain anyone who has been on work cover for problems like bad backs.This can have serious repercussions for anyone in the workplace,as some Employers here will "edge you out"where there is a problem,and the result could quite feasibly be that your working life here is effectively over.Has anyone had problems with Work Cover,and the attached Stigma?

**kangomik** · 09-05-2009, 10:10 AM

To be honest mate, the same thing happens in the UK. More and more ask about medical details. Some companys would even look at Dr's records if a claim was made against them. And if found you had not delared these problems you had no case.

Depending on the type of work a bad back is par for the course in my trade. Thats not to say that if it is damaged at work you should not be compensated.
Once its gone its always going to go at some point in the future.

**suzer** · 09-05-2009, 10:25 AM

In the US it's illegal for employers to ask anything about medical past as they are not allowed to discriminate based on health, so when I was in the UK I felt like any of that stuff was none of their business. I still feel that way here but am interested to learn more about the actual legality of it all.

**sduffy** · 09-05-2009, 10:45 AM

Sue,from what my hubby tells me it would appear that your comments are very reflective of the position .Workcover is often the death knell for future employment.i think the problem is is that due to the fact that a lot of employers here are small Businesses or sole traders they cant as afford a Workcover claim,as in some cases they are managing on a week to week basis and such a claim could literally put them out of business.

My hubby knows of someone who was an employer, who sustained quite a serious injury at his firm, but couldnt afford to make a claim on Workcover as it would have shut down his business and put several people out of work.He has suffered long term health probs as a result.

Workcover on paper sounds fine but in reality is a can of worms.

Sue

**Libby1971** · 09-05-2009, 11:27 AM

I'm in a workcover situation at the moment. I was travelling from work to a compulsory course and was involved in a car accident, causing some muscle damage which is being very slow to heal. I am still receiving treatment from a variety of sources, I have an OT coming into work and a rehab consultant from my employers insurers. And my doc is trying to certify me fit for work and normal duties as they are saying that if they don't then future employment is affected. Right now, I couldn't give a rats a*se about future employment. I'd just like to be able to keep this job and complete a full week at work without having to take time off for being in pain. No-one at work is saying anything to me about this, but I am feeling more and more pressured and increasingly ineffective at doing my job when I can't complete a working week and haven't done so since 12th March.

**suzer** · 09-05-2009, 11:52 AM

Are you working at all right now Libby? Who is making you feel pressured?

**sduffy** · 09-05-2009, 12:02 PM

Libby,the drs here do seem to be very much on the side of employers.My hubby who suffers from severe sleep apnea went to the drs a while back with severe dizziness and nausea,turned out his blood pressure was through the roof ,he had a couple of days off as a result,had only 4 days off sick in nearly four yrs.

After a day off his employer required a sick note ,he went to the dr who was obstructive about providing a sick note for the second day.My hubby pointed out that as he had to use dangerous power tools and had a long journey to work he considered it dangerous feeling as bad as he did to go into work.

He found it rather alarming that a doctor would have even questioned this.In the Uk feeling as he did he would probably have had an extra few days off.

Think the attitude here is very harsh and frankly wreckless towards a lot of employees.

I sympathise with your predicament,not a nice place to be.Feeling pressured and in pain.

Hope you feel better soon.

Sue

**suzer** · 09-05-2009, 12:04 PM

It very much depends on the doctor. Definitely worth switching if you have someone like that. That's ridiculous behaviour on the dr's part.

**Libby1971** · 09-05-2009, 01:11 PM

Sue, there is no polite way to say this., Your husband's doctor is a p*cking frat. Chuck a tub of those wooden tongue sticks at him!

I'm working...of sorts.

Prior to the hols I was working Mon and Tues. By Tues recess/ breaktime I was in so much I could barely think straight for the rest of the day. I spend the afternoon preparing the work that my classes would do on Weds and Thurs. Back in on Fri to pick up the pieces, find out if the classes were actually were they were supposed to be adn then that's how things have been since March. I spent almost every day of the 2 week break having one appt or another - acupuncture is the latest thrilling installment in my life. I had to go to the city to see a rehab person who is trying to tell me that the workcover insurance thing won't cover more than 2 treatments a week now as they think I should be improving. My GP is telling me that he has no idea why it is taking so long for em to be better. The Rehab peson then tells me that backs are funny things anyway and that what works for one may not work for another and I am in the middle thinking...I want Thorntons Truffles. And I want them now.

Pressured...well, that's where it gets fuzzy. I'm told that the employer can't put pressure on me. Directly none but indirectly, there's stacks I am dealing with. I just think, no, I don't need this, don't want this, leave me alone! This week I have had a serious problem with my asthma. I've just avoided being taken into hospital although the doc is still threatening me with it for next week (*sigh*), I've done nothing for work but had roughly 20 emails every day to respond to. I am sure that the stress of the workcover situation is having an effect on this.

It's a very confusing situation to be in. And the legalities of it all are doing my head in. This is one area that I never even thought of researching while I was in the UK!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for encouragement though