When a workplace accident causes a severe injury, you have an obligation to tend to your own health. This usually entails filing for workers’ compensation and seeking the necessary treatment, but you might wonder how your peers will react to this course of action.
Workers’ compensation policies exist so that you can fulfill your duties to the best of your ability without concern about how you will financially cope if an accident occurs. Knowing this might not assuage your worries, so you can seek peace of mind by understanding how your work relationships might change if you claim workers’ compensation.
Will your coworkers see you differently?
If you have to leave work for multiple weeks or longer for recovery after an accident, you might think that your coworkers will see you differently. You might feel this concern especially strongly if you work in a laborious field, as you might imagine your peers having to pick up your slack or viewing you as an unreliable teammate in the future. The likely truth of the situation is that your coworkers will understand that they could just as easily be in your situation instead.
Can your employer harass you?
An aggressive employer might try to harass you upon your return to work. This behavior is a form of retaliation against employees who file for workers’ compensation, and it is both illegal and morally unacceptable. If you experience workplace harassment, you can file a retaliation/discrimination complaint by following the instructions provided by the California Department of Industry Relations.
Filing for workers’ compensation after a workplace accident is necessary for the sake of your health and the financial stability of your family. Though you might worry about how your work relationships might change afterward, you cannot be wrong for prioritizing your well-being.