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ARE YOU ON "LIGHT DUTY" DUE TO A WORK RELATED INJURY? If you are injured at or due to work, the Employer of Injury (EOI) has the opportunity to offer you a "Light Duty" assignment. The offer must be in writing and it must list the physical demands and duties of the job. Your Attending Physician must review and approve this Job Analysis before you begin work. The tangible benefit to the employer of offering a Light Duty job is that it helps to reduce their claim costs. Worker's Comp systems reward companies for keeping workers on the job and keeping "Time Loss" payments low. The intangibles include the ability to maintain contact and communication with you and perhaps benefit from your field experience in a "non-field" position, such as inventory, personnel, planning, scheduling, or safety reviews. Benefits to you include your continued presence on the jobsite, contact with the crew, and an opportunity to show management your soft skills- your talents that aren't apparent otherwise - and your willingness to continue to be a part of the project. And there is absolutely no excuse to harass, intimidate, or even tease an injured Brother or Sister on Light Duty. It could be your turn next. The downside: THIS IS A REAL JOB. YOU CAN BE TERMINATED FOR CAUSE WHILE ON LIGHT DUTY. Being injured is not permission to be late or absent. If you can't make it in to work, you need to call your supervisor. If you have appointments with your vocational counselor, doctor, physical therapist, or other medical provider, you must let your employer know about them. You will not be paid for that time, even if it is related to your injury. Try to schedule such appointments outside of work hours whenever possible. If your assignment requires you to attend "Safety Educators" or a similar program, treat it as if it were a real job - though it may not seem like one. Your Light Duty job may require a considerable commute; Worker's Comp bureaucrats figure that's OK because construction workers often commute long distances. Your Attending Physician might not think it's OK, if your doctor prescribed pain killers, make sure she/he is aware of your commute before approving your Job Analysis. Your child care or other family needs may also serve as mitigating circumstances. If you legitimately turn down a Light Duty job offer your employer can still avoid penalties by keeping you on salary (KOS). Bottom line, Brothers and Sisters: IF YOU ARE INJURED AT OR DUE TO WORK, CALL 1-877-745-9555 AND ASK FOR GARY FASSO. The Council has resources. You are not alone in this. |