After injuring his knee in a bicycle accident, Brian had to resign from his job as a tyre fitter. He lost his confidence and thought he would never work again. However, with help from his Job Network member, Job Futures, Brian is back at his old job.
Brian’s consultant at Job Futures, Ali, said, ‘Brian was unsure whether he could work in his previous occupation because of his restricted leg movements’.
Ali arranged for Brian to have a functional assessment to see if there were any restrictions on him returning to his previous workplace.
The assessment showed that Brian could work as a tyre fitter, if he did three things:
- wear kneepads
- do stretching exercises during his breaks
- kneel on his good knee to undo wheel nuts.
During his rehabilitation time, Brian also went to a physiotherapist to strengthen and re-align his knee.
Ali then worked with Brian and his former employer to negotiate a graduated return to work. Brian worked part time for the first month, but was then able to move to full time work.
A few small changes in Brian’s workplace routine meant that he was able to fulfil his goal of resuming his former employment.
Now that Brian is working, Ali visits him occasionally for reassurance and support: ‘Brian is still working and doing really well. I keep up the post placement support and help any time he needs…He is very appreciative’.
Job seekers who have been injured might not need to change much to go back to work. You can help them regain their confidence and support them in their return to work.
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