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While you might think that the only way you can get accommodation at work for an injury is if that injury takes place while you’re on the job, you are actually covered under the law for reasonable accommodations based off an injury that happens to you anywhere. However, even knowing this, many people are hesitant to speak to their employer about the extra assistance they might need (in addition to financial support from a disability insurance policy, which you can find out more about here) to effectively do their job without causing themselves pain. So to help make this a little easier on you, here are three tips for getting leniency and the accommodations you need at work when you’ve been hurt off the job.
Put Your Disclosure and Requests In Writing
To start off your conversation with your boss, Dan Woog, a contributor to Monster.com, advises that you put your injury disclosure and any requests you may have in writing. When you do this, you eliminate any miscommunications that might have taken place if you merely spoke to your employer about your physical issues. Also, taking the time to write down what you want to say will keep you from speaking out the the pain you’re feeling and potentially saying something that might not be accurate or that you might come to regret in the future. By getting everything in writing, you can ensure that you’ve covered your bases.
Be Prepared To Negotiate Your Requests
Once you’ve made your disclosure and requests for accommodation, it’s good to know that your employer doesn’t necessarily have to give you exactly what you’ve asked for. According to Lisa Guerin, a contributor to DisabilitySecrets.com, your employer can negotiate with you and try to find a way to give you the help you need without putting themselves out too much. While they do have to make an effort to secure you with the accommodations you need, they can go about it in a different way than you might have imagined, so be prepared to negotiate if it comes to that.
Try To Be Reasonable With Your Leave
If your injury or disability will require you to take some leave, Katrina Overland, a contributor to Everyday Health, shares that it might be a good idea for you to try to be reasonable with your leave requests. Try to find out what’s available for your sick leave or what you have available under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Especially if your employer is willing to work with you and make the accommodations that you’ve requested, try to show your gratitude by not taking advantage of them by taking more time off than you actually need.
To help you feel prepared for this potentially tough conversation, consider using the tips mentioned above if you need to confront your boss about needing accommodations for your physical well-being at work.
