As a business owner, it is highly likely that your employees might experience an illness or injury at some point in their career. Being able to adapt to these situations and support your employees is a vital part of growing as an authority figure and leader. So, what would you do if you were presented with this type of situation at work? One of your key employees may have gained an injury which means they are out of action or a manager may be experiencing an illness that prevents them from doing their regular duties.
Some of the methods mentioned below may help you to navigate these circumstances and make the best possible decisions.
Talk Through Their Legal Rights
Anyone who suffers an injury through no fault of their own may need to seek out legal representation to see if they are able to go through a claims process for the accident. In some cases, you may be entitled for compensation if all of the relevant criteria fits so this is something that you may need to explore with them. If your employee is injured it is important to talk through their legal rights with them, and help them find a lawyer who can represent them. Similarly, if one of your employees is suffering from a long-term illness, they may have certain legal rights with regards to benefits and financial aid too.
Adapt Their Working Environment
If your employee is still able to carry out their job to a certain extent, you must still carry out a risk assessment and judge whether it is actually safe for them to be at work. In some cases, you may also be able to adapt their working environment so that they can do their job comfortably after an accident or illness.
Liaise With Friends and Family Members
You may want to talk with their family members or friends to see if your employee is receiving the right support with their illness or injury. Sometimes colleagues can feel more comfortable talking to close relatives rather than their managers at work.
Keep an Open Line of Communication
The importance of communication in the workplace should never be underestimated, especially when one of your employee’s has an ongoing issue with their health. Keeping the door open and allowing your employees to express their needs with regards to their illness or injury is extremely important as it will ensure they are getting the support they need from you as a manager.
Photo by SHVETS Production
Hopefully, there aren’t too many cases of illness or injury in your workplace, so your team can continue to work efficiently and cohesively without too much disruption. However, if there are ever any instances, you should be well-equipped to deal with them and support your colleagues through each situation. Whether you are exploring their legal options or communicating with them about their needs, you have a whole host of methods that will help you to be a supportive and understanding employer.
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