Managing Ill or Injured Workers
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Managing Ill or Injured Workers
Managing ill and injured workers is a major challenge for Australian businesses. A complex web of legal risks and obligations makes navigating this issue extremely difficult and puts businesses at risk.
The successful management of ill and injured workers requires an understanding of the obligations and responsibilities of both parties, as well as early intervention, cooperation and consultation.
Where this is not well managed, the risks for employers include the breakdown of the employee/employer relationship, exacerbation or aggravation of the original injury, increased workers’ compensation costs, presenteeism, prolonged absence from work, increased risk of workers’ compensation claims for psychological injury, and the risk of litigation.
Our HR consultants can advise on the return to work, management, and/or if necessary, the termination of ill or injured workers.
How we can help
Businesses are vulnerable to claims in relation to ill and injured workers in a number of areas, including but not limited to:
- General protections (under the Industrial Relations Act or Fair Work Act)
- Discrimination
- Unfair dismissal
- Workers’ compensation
- Bullying
- Breach of legislative requirements
- Breach of contract and industrial instruments
- Breach of work health and safety laws
At Preston HR, our proactive and ongoing management of ill and injured workers can help you:
- Transition ill or injured workers back into the business or, if necessary, minimise the risk of terminating employees for unrelated reasons while they are ill or injured.
- Ensure you comply with the relevant legislative requirements
- Assist you to implement procedures/policies to minimise risk