Advice with dealing with employer over accident

[Unicorn]

Looking for a little bit of advice really as iv already had a bad time over an accident which was down to the company and its left me injured requiring time off work.

I work on a vehicle assembly line, Front doors, side door and rear 2 doors are used by the workforce to access all vehicles for assembly inside. Another employee moved a trailing extension behind the vehicle and i stepped out the vehicle onto the cable and it slipped (wasn't visible from inside vehicle as i always look down first for airlines) , One leg was still in vehicle and i fell awkwardly twisting onto the floor and hurting both legs. This was all recorded in the accident book, I declined going to hospital over it as i could walk albiet painfully. The line medic said it wasn't my fault and wires should never be round vehicles its all been caught by cameras on the line and will be looked into

I continued and worked my remaining shift at a lot slower pace than usual and taking painkillers. Got up today and one leg is seized, Im in a lot of pain and my employer has given me a lot of hell over it, Questioning everything, telling me i need to work i can't have time off i was fine yesterday etc.

Now what can i do?
Can they sack me over this? Should they be paying me for my day off right now with them being at fault? Im honestly clueless with regards to accidents at work. Im seeing a doctor today over my leg so that will clear that up if its any damage but the fact im a relatively new employee to this company and how hostile they are being is worrying

Any advice is appreciated as i don't want to be stressing over being sacked over an accident id blame on the company

 

[£15]

Are you in a union? If not, consider talking to ACAS or the CAB. I have found the former to always be helpful

You're injured. They can't force you to work and shouldn't even be trying to. Whether you're paid or not, I think that's a contractual thing. I'm sure someone else will know.

Get well soon.

 

[jsmoke]

Seems to be a slightly grey area, as far as I can see you don't have many rights, depends on company policy, they could probably legally sack you. Your last port of call would be a tribunal. You need to find out specific company policy regarding sick leave. May have to grin and bear it I'm afraid.

 

[edscdk]

how bad do you need the job, how long have you worked there?

if your employer has that attitude id take as long as possibly off sick, also no win no fee the buggers!

 

[Unicorn]

Thanks for responses so far, 3 weeks or so :/ I like the job now im getting used to it, its a severe pay cut to what i can get doing my trade but i like the hours, its close to home etc.
Yeah its the attitude of the employer which puts me off, I need the job really also

Sickness and absentee policy is fairly simple, call in. Any accidents are investigated etc and if found to be company fault 3 days are paid in full regardless of if you worked or not until SSP starts then u get ssp

edit: Im a full time worker, permanant contract etc.

 

[nick.lidgett]

Always, always, always go to the hospital.

 

[Freakbro]

Seems to be a slightly grey area, as far as I can see you don't have many rights, depends on company policy, they could probably legally sack you. Your last port of call would be a tribunal. You need to find out specific company policy regarding sick leave. May have to grin and bear it I'm afraid.

Not a chance to be sacked while on sick through injury at work

Go to the doctors to get checked out and get a sick note then seek union/ACAS advice over injury at work

Just because you were 'fine' yesterday - which you wernt, you just worked through the shift with painkillers has no bearing on your ability to work today

 

[cheesyboy]

They put you on SSP after 3 days for a company-at-fault injury?

 

[Unicorn]

They put you on SSP after 3 days for a company-at-fault injury?

Yes, Red flag?

Also im not intending to take the company to the cleaners or anything i don't need the hassle and i don't want to claim a penny. I just want fair treatment and not be witch hunted by my own employer.

Also, going doctors today will see what they say too or if i should go hospital

 

[jsmoke]

Not a chance to be sacked while on sick through injury at work

Go to the doctors to get checked out and get a sick note then seek union/ACAS advice over injury at work

Just because you were 'fine' yesterday - which you wernt, you just worked through the shift with painkillers has no bearing on your ability to work today

Where is the offical policy on this, link?

 

[Diddums]

I've been down this road from both sides of this argument so here are some thoughts:

The fact that it's on CCTV is great, this will benefit the investigation which will inevitably be carried out. Union or not, you'll need to phone ACAS and get some advice. They're very helpful so don't be shy to give them a ring. The investigation will come down to one of two results:

1: Your fault due to negligence, not complying with procedures, not wearing correct PPE, etc.

2: Employer's fault due to no / incorrect risk assessment, no provision of PPE, no provision of warning signage, negligence, responsible employee not following procedure, etc.

The time you worked at the company is irrelevant. It's both of yours responsibility to make sure no one is injured or worse. If you can prove that you adhered to procedures and did everything by the book, you have nothing to worry about. If the employer is found guilty, push for compensation (I hate saying that, but having been down that road myself, I wish I pushed for compo in hindsight too).


One of the mods on here is a H&S bod so will probably chime in as well, he's also very helpful.

 

[Freakbro]

Yes, Red flag?

Also im not intending to take the company to the cleaners or anything i don't need the hassle and i don't want to claim a penny. I just want fair treatment and not be witch hunted by my own employer.

Its not a red flag, just a bit harsh!

Also, going doctors today will see what they say too or if i should go hospital

That is your priority, then advice from Union, ACAS or CAB

 

[cheesyboy]

Yes, Red flag?

Also im not intending to take the company to the cleaners or anything i don't need the hassle and i don't want to claim a penny. I just want fair treatment and not be witch hunted by my own employer.

Also, going doctors today will see what they say too or if i should go hospital

Not necessarily, but it's bit of an ******** policy from the company. They aren't legally obliged to pay your wages even when it's them that injured you, but you can sue for lost earnings if it's down to their negligence - they're banking on most people not bothering to do so I guess.

 

[Rroff]

This is the problem with soldiering on - when you are actually past the point of pushing it any longer no one believes you :s while nearly everyone believes the people who over-exaggerate it and play for sympathy.

Injured my foot at work due to sloppy health and safety by someone else - couldn't finish my shift but declined hospital (because it isn't in my nature to just give in and it felt like giving in ) next day I felt ok to go into work though I had to push through some aches and stiffness to go in the next day, the day after that I simply couldn't do it my foot was swollen up considerably but they were all like "well you managed to come in yesterday".

The time you worked at the company is irrelevant

Except that if they decide to be funny over it they can dismiss him with little come back given that short service.

 

[Diddums]

I had 13 stitches across the top of my dome. I was a claret fountain and looked like something from a Frankeinstein movie when I was stitched up. I still insisted on going back to work but my supervisor told me to go home

 

[Unicorn]

Id of loved to of gone back in, I don't like letting myself down or the lads im working with. We all have a specific job to get done to get the vehicles out the door on time.
But im in too much pain today to consider climbing around/under and over vehicles.

I don't honestly know what to expect or what to do, Ill only return when i feel comfortable to do so which id love to be tomorrow if possible but i don't know yet. The longer this goes on the worse i imagine the repercussions at work may be for me

 

[Rroff]

Generally I find employers back off once there is medical paperwork on the table - doctor's note or whatever.

 

[mattyg]

Vehicle production line? Are we safe to assume then that your employer is MASSIVE and should be taking this pretty seriously.

 

[Diddums]

Id of loved to of gone back in, I don't like letting myself down or the lads im working with. We all have a specific job to get done to get the vehicles out the door on time.
But im in too much pain today to consider climbing around/under and over vehicles.

I don't honestly know what to expect or what to do, Ill only return when i feel comfortable to do so which id love to be tomorrow if possible but i don't know yet. The longer this goes on the worse i imagine the repercussions at work may be for me

There will be no repercussions. And if there are, get in touch with ACAS again, as that's victimization. If you just want to get it over and done with then get a doctor's note and give it to your employer. I am a very firm believer in "treat your staff as you'd want to be treated".

Likewise I had a boss bully me constantly at a former employer so I recorded a few conversations with my phone and went to HR, got my union involved and ACAS got involved too. He got sacked within a month.

Don't put up with bad employers. Ever.

 

[Efour]

Holy crap, it's on camera and you have had a professional medical examination and still your employer gives you greif?

Who is it Hitler? Seriously go to your union rep. This is ridiculous.

Work place bullies are complete scum. He or she will lose their job over stuff like this.