Need some advice, feeling guilty about work.

[CatTrees]

Hi there! I work for a large mining company (7 months now) and my new role involves me doing lots of walking and climbing up ladders/steps.

I have a high pain tolerance so didn't think much when over time my knee began to pop and crack, plus a slight pain, more annoying than anything.

After 5 months of treating it with advill, a brace and gentle exercise I had some scans done. Turns out it's a congenital defect and will most likely require surgery to repair it.

My boss is absolutely fuming that I didn't report it earlier, but I never really thought to because it only hurt on occasion, never a constant thing and never stopped me from fulfilling my role. Any advice how to navigate this? I'm supplying them with all the info I'm getting from my doctor and keeping them in the loop, I feel awful though

Why are they fuming? It sounds like you've been able to manage up to now physically, and you've only just found out its something potentially longer term that will require surgery. That's very poor on their part, this sort of thing happens and it doesn't sound like you've been dishonest or mislead them. Please don't feel guilty.

They have a huge focus on safety, which they should. However they believe even paper cuts should be reported to the medical centre. When I reported to the medical team at work to inform them of what was going on the nurse there wrote an email implying that I have been in pain this whole time, so that hasn't helped despite me trying to tell them I truly didn't think it was anything

Well all you can do is acknowledge their frustration, acknowledge that you now understand that you should have reported the pain and cracking when it became aparent there was a patern, apologise.

Then turn to discusson about arrangements in the meantime eg cover while you are out of action and anything you know now about guidance for your recovery and return to work. Any adjustments that might be anticipated, and how you can both go about making sure you can return to work safely.

You should have reported it for health and safety reasons, but I don't see how they can be fuming with you. It would be your own fault if something happened and you hadn't reported it as they don't have a crystal ball, so I don't see why they are fuming!

I think they have had issues with people trying to get paid out work cover, but I have made it clear from the start that this isn't a work cover issue. It's just bad luck for me

It’ll blow over- it’s an unreasonable thing to be ‘fuming’ over. You’ve reported the issue, and that’s that. Don’t be drawn into anything else.