Repetitive Strain Injury from work

Loulou2017

Plus the pad was only meant to use a the low level changing table. Also its not just kneeling its having crouch at low level furniture and only having the use of low level furniture design for 3 year old. 

Savesmartsunday

Jude57 said:

Loulou2017 said:

Not in union but I'm about to sign up 

I'm afraid you'll be unable to get full union support with this issue if you join up now. It's like insurance; you can't take out a policy right after an accident and expect a pay out. The union may be prepared to give support going forward if your colleagues also join, as there's a 'common good' consideration, plus unions have their own health and safety experts who can help you.

If your consultant has told you that your condition is directly as a result of your work, you may have a case against your employer if you can prove negligence on their part, but remember, we as individuals, are equally responsible for our own health and safety, so think about what steps you have taken to protect yourself over the years. if you are joining a union, seek legal representation via the union. If you seek legal representation elsewhere, the union won't continue to represent you. If you are going to use an outside solicitor, check whether your home, car or life insurance covers legal advice. If not, and you go with a no-win, no-fee firm be absolutely certain you understand the terms of your contract with them.

For now,  I'd be requesting an Occupational Health assessment, plus an Access to Work assessment. These will help you identify your ability to continue in the same job and whether reasonable adjustments could help you to do so. Again, what is reasonable depends on the job and employer.

It’s at the unions discretion. 

oh_really

Savesmartsunday said:

Jude57 said:

Loulou2017 said:

Not in union but I'm about to sign up 

I'm afraid you'll be unable to get full union support with this issue if you join up now. It's like insurance; you can't take out a policy right after an accident and expect a pay out. The union may be prepared to give support going forward if your colleagues also join, as there's a 'common good' consideration, plus unions have their own health and safety experts who can help you.

If your consultant has told you that your condition is directly as a result of your work, you may have a case against your employer if you can prove negligence on their part, but remember, we as individuals, are equally responsible for our own health and safety, so think about what steps you have taken to protect yourself over the years. if you are joining a union, seek legal representation via the union. If you seek legal representation elsewhere, the union won't continue to represent you. If you are going to use an outside solicitor, check whether your home, car or life insurance covers legal advice. If not, and you go with a no-win, no-fee firm be absolutely certain you understand the terms of your contract with them.

For now,  I'd be requesting an Occupational Health assessment, plus an Access to Work assessment. These will help you identify your ability to continue in the same job and whether reasonable adjustments could help you to do so. Again, what is reasonable depends on the job and employer.

It’s at the unions discretion. 

Advice/ representation, perhaps. Rule book benefits will have a qualifying period of around 3 months to access.

Manxman_in_exile

Loulou2017 said:

Hi, I've worked in the same local government maintained nursery/ preschool for 17 years. ...

Sorry - I'm not up to speed on nursery employment arrangements, but what does the above mean?  Are you actually employed by the local authority, or is it just that your employer's business is funded by the local authority?

Loulou2017

So I'm employed by the council ie public sector not private.

Unison will give you 30 min for any Pre existing condition or issue. 

Jude57

Savesmartsunday said:

Jude57 said:

Loulou2017 said:

Not in union but I'm about to sign up 

I'm afraid you'll be unable to get full union support with this issue if you join up now. It's like insurance; you can't take out a policy right after an accident and expect a pay out. The union may be prepared to give support going forward if your colleagues also join, as there's a 'common good' consideration, plus unions have their own health and safety experts who can help you.

If your consultant has told you that your condition is directly as a result of your work, you may have a case against your employer if you can prove negligence on their part, but remember, we as individuals, are equally responsible for our own health and safety, so think about what steps you have taken to protect yourself over the years. if you are joining a union, seek legal representation via the union. If you seek legal representation elsewhere, the union won't continue to represent you. If you are going to use an outside solicitor, check whether your home, car or life insurance covers legal advice. If not, and you go with a no-win, no-fee firm be absolutely certain you understand the terms of your contract with them.

For now,  I'd be requesting an Occupational Health assessment, plus an Access to Work assessment. These will help you identify your ability to continue in the same job and whether reasonable adjustments could help you to do so. Again, what is reasonable depends on the job and employer.

It’s at the unions discretion. 

That's why I referred to the 'common good' consideration.

Jude57

Loulou2017 said:

So I'm employed by the council ie public sector not private.

Unison will give you 30 min for any Pre existing condition or issue. 

That's good news, hopefully they'll offer ongoing support, too, since health and safety issues seem to be a concern in your workplace. Encouraging your colleagues to join the union BEFORE they, too have problems would be good thing!

Undervalued

Jude57 said:

Loulou2017 said:

Not in union but I'm about to sign up 

I'm afraid you'll be unable to get full union support with this issue if you join up now. It's like insurance; you can't take out a policy right after an accident and expect a pay out. The union may be prepared to give support going forward if your colleagues also join, as there's a 'common good' consideration, plus unions have their own health and safety experts who can help you.

If your consultant has told you that your condition is directly as a result of your work, you may have a case against your employer if you can prove negligence on their part, but remember, we as individuals, are equally responsible for our own health and safety, so think about what steps you have taken to protect yourself over the years. if you are joining a union, seek legal representation via the union. If you seek legal representation elsewhere, the union won't continue to represent you. If you are going to use an outside solicitor, check whether your home, car or life insurance covers legal advice. If not, and you go with a no-win, no-fee firm be absolutely certain you understand the terms of your contract with them.

For now,  I'd be requesting an Occupational Health assessment, plus an Access to Work assessment. These will help you identify your ability to continue in the same job and whether reasonable adjustments could help you to do so. Again, what is reasonable depends on the job and employer.

The problem is that the consultant cannot say that work has caused the condition. He can say that the work situation, as described to him by the OP, could well have caused such a condition but, for all he knows, the OP could be spending as much or more time on her knees at home pursuing some hobby! 

This is the same as with work related stress. The consultant can diagnose a medical level of stress but he cannot first hand testify as to the cause.

The fact the the OP's colleagues have similar problems may well help in any claim, providing they either make similar claims or are willing to testify against their employer on the OP's behalf. Whilst some people will, many won't when push comes to shove.

Jude57

Undervalued said:

Jude57 said:

Loulou2017 said:

Not in union but I'm about to sign up 

I'm afraid you'll be unable to get full union support with this issue if you join up now. It's like insurance; you can't take out a policy right after an accident and expect a pay out. The union may be prepared to give support going forward if your colleagues also join, as there's a 'common good' consideration, plus unions have their own health and safety experts who can help you.

If your consultant has told you that your condition is directly as a result of your work, you may have a case against your employer if you can prove negligence on their part, but remember, we as individuals, are equally responsible for our own health and safety, so think about what steps you have taken to protect yourself over the years. if you are joining a union, seek legal representation via the union. If you seek legal representation elsewhere, the union won't continue to represent you. If you are going to use an outside solicitor, check whether your home, car or life insurance covers legal advice. If not, and you go with a no-win, no-fee firm be absolutely certain you understand the terms of your contract with them.

For now,  I'd be requesting an Occupational Health assessment, plus an Access to Work assessment. These will help you identify your ability to continue in the same job and whether reasonable adjustments could help you to do so. Again, what is reasonable depends on the job and employer.

The problem is that the consultant cannot say that work has caused the condition. He can say that the work situation, as described to him by the OP, could well have caused such a condition but, for all he knows, the OP could be spending as much or more time on her knees at home pursuing some hobby! 

This is the same as with work related stress. The consultant can diagnose a medical level of stress but he cannot first hand testify as to the cause.

The fact the the OP's colleagues have similar problems may well help in any claim, providing they either make similar claims or are willing to testify against their employer on the OP's behalf. Whilst some people will, many won't when push comes to shove.

Absolutely, that's what I meant by 'may have a case' and 'if you can prove negligence', which is a high threshold to cross. I entirely agree about witnesses evaporating when it comes to actually testifying. I'd hope that if the OP can get union support, their colleagues might join too but even then, there's no guarantee of an outcome that satisfies the OP. 

Loulou2017

I definitely don't anything outside of work that means spending a long time on my knees 😆.
Their have been studied done on nursery /preschool staff in the US in 1995 and in the UK in 2011 showing link between musculoskeletal disorders and nursey duties. 
My concern is I only know about the risks now I've spoken to GP and look up the information myself. 
I bet lots of other staff are not aware of the damage they could be doing to their bodies overtime. 
If I'd been warned of the risk I could of avoided it.