Accidents and injuries at work can be unexpected, which means it’s not easy to plan for them as somebody who is an employee. However, a smart workplace should have provisions in place for accidents and injuries and what happens next.
When an accident does happen, handling the situation with care is critical and this is especially the case when it comes to your relationship with your management team. How you approach your manager after an accident can affect the outcome of your recovery, any compensation you get, and any professional relationships that you have moving forward.
If an accident has occurred due to negligence, or this is a simple unfortunate incident, you still have to address the situation thoughtfully and professionally. Understanding how to handle your boss after an accident is important and we’ve got ten ways to do that below.
- Get some legal help. When you’ve had an accident at work, and you find that your boss or your coworkers are not assisting you correctly, you need to seek the guidance of a personal injury lawyer. It’s often the best first step to take, because even if accidents at work are true accidents, there are still processes that have to be followed. Accidents that involve negligence or unsafe working conditions can be difficult, but if you take the appropriate action, personal injury lawyers can help you to navigate the legal processes.
- Talk to your boss as soon as you can. When an accident happens at work, you need to inform your boss straight away. The reaction that you get from your boss after you’ve told them about the incident will inform how much action you need to take. The sooner you let your employer know about the accident the sooner that they can take action to ensure the safety of other people and your own well being. Depending on the severity of the accident, there may need to be an incident report filed and immediate action needs to be taken to assess and address the situation. Be careful to explain the details of the incident very clearly and keep the boss informed every step of the way.
- Be calm and professional. A lot of the time an accident can be handled poorly is when somebody’s reaction is a poor reaction. It’s understandable that accidents can be stressful, but you have to remain calm and professional where possible so that you can discuss the incident calmly. Avoid placing any blame or becoming overly emotional, because this will make it harder to find the solutions that you need. Focus on providing clear, factual accounts of what happened and take the opportunity to express your concerns about any safety. Staying composed doesn’t just show that you’re responsible and mature, it helps you to maintain professional boundaries.
- Follow the accident reporting procedures. Any professional business should have accident reporting procedures in place to be followed. Most companies have an established procedure for reporting injuries in the workplace, and you have to familiarize yourself with these procedures and follow them carefully.
- Seek medical attention. Even if the injury itself is minor, you need medical attention so that you can get the report written for both the work compensation claim and field bosses records. Your health is the most important thing to consider, and a doctor’s evaluation can help him determine the extent of your injuries and whether you’ll need any time off. Once you’ve seen a doctor, keep your boss updated on your condition. If you can’t return to work immediately or you need any specific accommodations made, it from your boss and provide them with the medical documentation
- Know your rights. It’s important to familiarize yourself with your work rights and the benefits that you’re entitled to especially if you’re forced to take time off work. Workers compensation claims, disability leave, or any company specific injury policies need to be listened to. When your accident happens in the workplace, your employer is generally required to provide workers compensation to cover your expenses and lost wages. A personal injury lawyer can help you to understand what you’re legally entitled to and can assist him filing any claims for you.
- Be prepared to discuss adjustments. Depending on the accident and the nature of your injuries, your boss may need to discuss possible adjustments to your work responsibilities. Reasonable adjustments should be made especially if you’ve been hurt while on the job. You need to be open and cooperative during these discussions, but that doesn’t mean you need to be pushed over. If you’re able to continue working from home rather than in the office, that’s the best thing you could do, but if you are unable to work, your doctor’s advice has to come first.
- Maintain open communication. Keeping the lines of communication open with your boss is super important as you recover. You should be openly discussing your recovery timeline, any additional medical treatment you may need, and how it could affect your ability to work. If you’re able to work but you do require adjustments, be proactive in discussing these and ask HR to be involved. Regular updates can help prevent any misunderstandings or miscommunications along the way.
- Don’t rush back. Yourself to get back to work but it’s not something you should be doing. You should never feel pressured to get back to your usual routine and if your boss is pressuring you then you need to get some medical advice and legal advice. Returning to work too soon could further risk injury and hinder your long-term well being, and that’s not what you want.
- Document the entire process. Keeping all records of detailed communication, medical visits and other aspects of the accident is important. Witness statements, photographs, and a paper trail of everything that goes down doesn’t mean that you don’t trust your boss to follow through with the right procedures, but it does mean that you know that you need this information if you want to get some legal help.
