Workers in many of the most demanding professions pride themselves on their job performance. They show up for work when they feel sick. They continue to perform job functions that cause pain. They tell themselves that their sacrifices are indicative of a strong work ethic and make them invaluable to their employer.
Unfortunately, workers may take that sense of dedication too far. They can cause real damage to their bodies in some cases. Even worse, they could potentially endanger their careers. People who have warning signs of repetitive strain injuries triggered by specific job functions need to speak up and seek care promptly. They may otherwise come to regret their decision to ignore their symptoms.
Symptoms are likely to worsen
Unlike traumatic injuries, such as a sprain or fracture, a repetitive strain injury doesn’t usually heal on its own. If anything, the professional is at risk of their symptoms slowly progressing over time. Unless they change their job functions, learn better body mechanics or acquire assistive technology, their symptoms could progress to a point where they can no longer perform job functions.
They may then have to transfer to a different position with lower pay. Other times, their pain and functional limitations can affect their speed and overall job performance. Their employers may end up demoting them, denying them opportunities for advancement or even terminating them.
Diagnosed conditions can lead to accommodations. Professionals who develop repetitive strain injuries at work may be eligible for workers’ compensation. The benefits available can pay for their treatment.
They can also arrange to take a leave of absence to allow their symptoms to improve, as they can rely on temporary disability benefits to replace some of their wages. In cases where the repetitive strain injury has begun impacting job performance, professionals might be eligible for partial disability benefits if they move to a different position with lower wages that does not exacerbate their symptoms.
When there is medical documentation of having a work-acquired medical condition, workers can potentially request on-the-job accommodations. They are less vulnerable to retaliation and claims of poor job performance because of their medical challenges.
Seeking care for a repetitive strain injury and notifying an employer can help protect a worker. Employees who file workers’ compensation claims can request accommodations and benefits that can help them control their symptoms and continue their employment.