Serious injuries can interfere with many aspects of life and take a long time to recover from. One area which is sometimes overlooked is the impact that an injury can have on an individual’s career. They may need to take some time off and might struggle when they return to fulfil their duties like they could before the accident. They may even worry about losing their job after an injury.
Work Concerns
National Accident Helpline, a company specialising in compensation and medical negligence claims, recently investigated this matter. They discovered some interesting results which are important to consider. The research revealed that as many as 57% of people worried about losing their jobs after an injury. Out of those who returned to work after an accident, 60% stated that they had been unable to do certain tasks. While 63% worried about their performance.
Mental Health Issues
Of course, there are also the mental health repercussions of an injury and the impact that it might have on your ability to work. A significant 7 out of 10 people who had been in an accident said that they suffered from a mental health issue as a direct result, including stress (35%), anxiety (34%) and depression (18%). A further 62% stated that the mental health issue took longer to recover from than expected.
Getting Help
GP Dr Hilary Jones shared insights on the overlooked aspect of mental health in accidents. He pointed out a prevalent misconception:
“Many dismiss mental trauma if it’s not a visible injury, like a fracture. Yet, this outdated attitude is entirely wrong”.
Jones further highlighted that mental health issues might persist. Nonetheless, appropriate support can foster mental resilience:
“Proper assistance enables everyone to achieve mental strength and wellness”.
How Employers Can Help
Mental health issues, often prevalent, require proactive support. Employers must facilitate the return to work. This can include reduced hours initially, appropriate workplace adjustments, and elimination of non-essential tasks.
Effective communication is crucial during recovery. Employers should maintain regular contact, inquire about adjusting workloads, and offer emotional support. This approach helps alleviate stress and provides reassurance.
Accident-induced physical injuries are hard enough. Employees shouldn’t also struggle with their mental health and job security. Unfortunately, this dual challenge is a common occurrence. However, employers can help ease the transition back to work after an accident. Such measures can significantly mitigate mental health struggles as well.
