Your employees are your company’s greatest asset, and, as their employer, it’s your responsibility to take the best care of them – within and outside your business’s premises.
But accidents and injuries happen – and that well-oiled machine that your organization is can only run so well when each of your talents is at their happiest, healthiest, and most productive.
So, how can you help an employee who has been injured off the job regain their health and get back on their feet? Start with these steps!
Help Them Access Legal Advice, e.g. About a Lawsuit Loan
Whether they happen within the business’s premises or outside of the workplace, most injuries have legal implications. No matter the circumstances, more than one aspect of their lives will be affected.
And, if they are forced to take time off work and afford expensive treatments, their injury can take a toll on their financial health as well – especially if they don’t have the means and knowledge to fight for monetary compensation.
This is why an expert attorney is the first port of call in any instance involving an injury. And, as the employer, there is plenty you can do to help your employees access legal advice. From finding the best lawsuit loans for their needs to working with your business’s attorney, investing in legal help for your employees can benefit your team and your company alike.
Ensure They Receive the Necessary Medical Care
With nearly 3 million nonfatal workplace injuries happening each year across the U.S. private industry, employees have to quickly learn the basics of handling the most common workplace injuries.
However, off-the-job injuries are a different matter, and it is easy for business owners to feel at a loss when dealing with such complex situations.
While, in this case, you might not have the same responsibilities to fulfill, there are still implications to keep in mind. The most important one is to ensure that your employee receives medical care and treatments as soon as possible.
Start by understanding the circumstances of the accident, if your employee has medical coverage, and whether submitting a claim with their health provider is necessary.
Of course, this is a responsibility you have towards your injured team member – but it is also one you have towards your business as a whole! After all, an injured employee can throw your organization off balance and affect the rest of the team’s productivity and morale.
Support Their Return To Work
As we have seen, an injury or trauma can affect many aspects of a person’s life. And, while rest is essential for recovery, so is keeping active, social, and motivated.
Because of this, according to studies by the University of Pennsylvania, returning to work is the single best action your employee can take to speed up their physical and mental recovery – and renew their purpose!
So, unless your employee’s doctor provides a note declaring that a worker is fully unfit for work, you should encourage them to recover while working. You can do so by making available on-the-job resources, as well as collaborating with specialized health professionals, and crafting a detailed plan for recovery.
Make a Plan For Their Recovery Journey
Whether you have found yourself dealing with an injured employee before or not, it is best to keep in mind that each injury is unique. And, you should not expect two people to recover at the same pace or in the same way.
That is why it is important to request a medical certificate from your employee’s doctor, which specifies the extent of their injury, expected recovery timeline, and the type of work and duties your team member can perform during rehabilitation.
Once you have all these key details, you can discuss suitable tasks and work hours with your employee to help them transition back to a suitable work pace.
Be sure to offer multiple alternatives and make clear that you value them and are ready to adapt to their recovery pace. The last thing you’d want is for them to feel cornered and rush back into duties that can worsen their injury!
Provide Moral and Mental Health Support
Everyone deals differently with an injury. But, no matter how strong and resilient you believe your employee, physical or mental trauma can cause them to feel isolated, demotivated, and worried.
That is why you should do your best to support their morale and mental health, keep in touch with them during their absence, support their recovery, and remind them that they are valued in the workplace.