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Original poster

Is an injury that mean you can't drive a reason not to go to work?

55 replies

JumpandScore · 14/11/2015 07:57

Just that really. A friend has done a lot of damage to her ankle and is in plaster up to the knee. She's reasonably mobile on her crutches now she's had some practise and she does a desk job. She feels she's well enough to work, but she can't drive to get there.

It's possible on public transport, but not easy, will take much longer than driving (approx. 1.5 hours v 20 mins) several changes, some walking and be expensive, as the last bit would involve a taxi. What would you expect your employee to do?

OP posts:
SerenityReynolds · 14/11/2015 08:57

She needs to discuss it with work. Tell them she is keen to return to work but has been told she should not drive/risk public transport. She could suggest they pay for a taxi for her or set up some way for her to temporarily work from home (or a combination of both). There may be a colleague who can offer a lift. That way she has shown she is trying to be proactive about coming back to work, and if she ends up staying off longer because they won't meet her halfway, it hardly makes her look bad.

NoahVale · 14/11/2015 08:59

phased return and allowances made. so a couple of small shifts gradually increasing.
there must be OH or at least someone they outsource to?

PotteringAlong · 14/11/2015 09:59

I'm not an employer, I'm a teacher, and it has been made abundantly clear on numerous occasions that it is entirely up to us to get to work and that unless we are actually in hospital we are expected to be there and how we get there is of no concern to management.

Original poster
JumpandScore · 14/11/2015 10:02

That's strange Pottering because I work with a teacher who has just come back from 2 month's leave with a broken wrist (well but unable to drive) and a TA had c. 6months off last year after a lower limb op. She was very ill to begin with but mobile, but unable to drive for the last few months.

Drives me potty when teachers are at such pains to tell the world how awful their working conditions are Grin

OP posts:
LIZS · 14/11/2015 10:04

Unless the employer is able to make reasonable adjustments which might include provision of a taxi or a lift , shorter hours to enable travel at less busy times on public transport , working from home and provide access to suitable toilets and facilities onsite then she would be signed off. How is she getting to appointments ? Is there access to Occupational Health ?

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 14/11/2015 10:13

Has she been told to avoid public transport, or does she not want to use it because it's a trek?

I'd try to agree to work from home every other day and adjust starting and leaving times to avoid peak time, so that I was visible in work frequently. That shows willing but without putting her out too much. The employer may reject it if they have concerns about her being in the office on crutches but at least she's shown that she's trying to find a solution.

If it's small enough to have no OH or HR, they are likely to feel her absence more than a larger company that would likely just sign her off until she found it easier to travel.

Original poster
JumpandScore · 14/11/2015 10:16

She really wants to be in work, but she's struggling to find a way that makes that possible. She could do the journey but she'd struggle to pay for it and it would leave her exhausted.

She also wonders whether being in work, but exhausted and in pain and the knock on affect that might have on her work, might be worse than not being there at all, in terms of first impressions ITSWIM

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 14/11/2015 14:42

My working conditions aren't awful at all. On fact, I think they're very good. But we're expected to be in work.

ragged · 14/11/2015 22:42

What about Liftshare?

iminshock · 14/11/2015 22:54

funny that people are assuming she has been told by medical people to rest.

At no point has OP said that.

imo she should absolutely get herself to work.
Lots of people do a 90 minute public transport commute.

it would look very bad to take several weeks off work when you had just started a new job. I can't believe she's even thinking about it.

ouryve · 14/11/2015 23:04

Not in plaster to the knee over a fresh injury they don't, iminshock. And presumably with some stuff to carry, too.

OP, she needs to contact her boss ASAP and discuss a way of making the work possible.

daisychain01 · 15/11/2015 06:01

Are you reading the same thread as the rest of us shock??
Lots of people do a 90 minute public transport commute yes I'm sure they do, if they are fit, well and mobile! I can't imagine having to use public transport, crowded and inaccessible when on crutches in a plaster cast.

If your friend has only just started this role then unfortunately I can't see how it would be viable to work remotely. I'm 4 weeks into a new role with the same company and most of that time has been introductions to new people, sitting with the outgoing person doing handovers of their role, etc. You can't do this stuff remotely!

IMO the only viable way is to suggest a 10 thru 4pm working day in the office if the company can pay for taxis. Your friend can reason that at least they are productive the majority of the week.

Hotbot · 15/11/2015 06:08

I'd bet work would be more a pure at the expectation of your friend for them to pay for a taxi than to get to work. Are there really no friends that could do it by taking her In early and her leaving late ? Once her pot is off she will also need physio appts. To

Hotbot · 15/11/2015 06:09

Pure ? Annoyed

FeckTheMagicDragon · 15/11/2015 06:14

Speaking as a manager who has had to deal with this sort of situation (new starter, torn ligament playing football for the work 5 a side) I'd say talk to the new manager. Explain the difficulties/expense of trying to get to work. Suggest alternatives - working from home or coming if for just 2/3 days, after an initial couple of weeks recovery time, etc. Give them an estimated full recovery time so they know what they can expect. Ask them for suggestions. Make them understand that she is still keen and eager.
The vast majority of mangers will be sympathetic and will work with people. They have spent time, money and effort to recruit her - presumably because she was right for the job. they won't just write her off - not for a broken leg, which will heal.

WongTobyWong · 15/11/2015 06:32

I'm with potteringalong to be honest. You figure it out. It's not your employer's responsibility to figure out staff transport. Get a cab and be fine with it.

WongTobyWong · 15/11/2015 06:37

Two months off with a broken wrist, OP? Ye gods! I had a compound fracture of the wrist and elbow (after a biking accident) and was back the next day! Good lord. My work objectives were certainly revised (I couldn't type as quickly for one thing) - but two months off? As far as I'm concerned that's a lazy bugger taking the piss.

Salene · 15/11/2015 06:41

Having had similar injuries doctor would not sign me on to return to work, your classed as not being safe like that also say at a desk all day with leg down can create swelling

I'd doubt any GP would risk signing this person back on to work

WongTobyWong · 15/11/2015 06:42

If your friend has any desire to be taken seriously at work - in a new job, no less - she most certainly will not be asking her employer to be paying for her transport to work!! Do you really not see how this will appear? So unprofessional, I don't eve have the words.

It is not your employer's responsibility to figure out how to make staff available to get to work, and my mind is boggled that any employer would think it is so.

WongTobyWong · 15/11/2015 06:44

even and employee, that should read.

Original poster
JumpandScore · 15/11/2015 07:22

Fwiw, Even if gp won't sign her fit that doesn't mean she can't work. There is no law or insurance issue that says a signed off employee can't work. Employer should do a risk assessment but you can still work if it suits both sides.

OP posts:
hugoagogo · 15/11/2015 14:10

My employer wouldn't let me work when I was signed off. I don't think it's that unusual.

WickedWax · 15/11/2015 14:35

I'm quite shocked that anyone would think her employer should pay for a taxi for her. I don't think I'd have the nerve to ask or even hint at that if I were in her situation.

I think your friend needs to have a chat with work about any reasonable adjustments that can be made to enable her return asap, then come to some arrangement with a local taxi firm. Given that it will be a regular journey over a set period of time they may be willing to give some discount. Alternatively she could explore making a private arrangement with a friend/family member for lifts in exchange for a financial or some other contribution.

whattheseithakasmean · 15/11/2015 14:45

When I broke my leg (plaster toe to thigh) I relied on lifts to get to work and work was flexible on times to accommodate this.

I never went to the GP or got signed off as I never planned to not work, if you see what I mean. I told work my leg was broken, they were lovely & didn't need a note when I came back as I had a ruddy great stookie on my leg. I explained I was relying on lifts and they were very accommodating.

I sat at my desk with my leg up on another chair & did the same in meetings. People couldn't do enough for me Grin

starlight2007 · 15/11/2015 14:59

I broke my foot a few years ago..I went into work..I lasted so much pain..My foot swelled up, I was exhausted and in bed for 6...

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