The Local wishes to remind members that if you are certified unfit for full duties by your doctor, but are able to complete restricted duties (“Light Duties”), then you will be asked to come in and meet with the Personnel AAM and a Representative from FENZ’s Injury Management Unit. This will often be Rochelle Bull, and it is to discuss and complete a “Return to Work Plan”.

This is the opportunity to work through the details of what you will be expected to do whilst on restricted duties, and get agreement from all parties.

Do not feel pressured into doing more than you feel comfortable doing or are medically or physically able to.

You are entitled (and it is strongly recommend) to have a support person with you when you attend one of these meetings. The Local further recommends that you also have a member of the Committee with you during this meeting.

At the end of the day, the Return to Work plan should be to your benefit to assist you to get back to work as quickly and easily as is possible.

Once you are on the RTW plan, you will be expected to complete timesheets for each day you are “working”. These will then have to be sent in by Wednesday mornings (generally emailed) to ensure that you receive your ERC top up.

This is important as once you come back on “Light Duties”, you’ll be entitled to this top up which brings your pay from 80% of pre incident earnings to 100% (exact figure is complicated and is calculated on how long you have been off for prior to event).

It also pays to check your payslips whilst you are on any type of absence and RTW plan to ensure that you are actually receiving your full and proper entitlements.

If you have any concerns or queries about the process, make sure to get in touch with your Local Committee Cluster Representative.