Conflict of Interest?

Jessica

I am in a strange situation because I am both the employee and employer in this scenario.

Employee: I recently started having some trouble with my arm after typing for any length of time (I do a lot of typing at work and none at home). I didn't think much of it, but due to concerns about carpal tunnel (sp?), and the like, I decided to go to the doc.

So, I have now been warned that while this isn't carpal tunnel, it is work related and I had better make some changes beyond focusing on better posture and typing habits or the discomfort/pain I am having could become a more serious condition. My doctor has prescribed twice weekly visits to a physical therapist (for 6 weeks) and an "ergonmics study" of my work station by a physical therapist. I am hoping that the study will simply show me how to use my work station most appropriately for my health, but the risk of course is that I will need some cushion, or keyboard tray or something.

I am not litigious, and I do not want to ask my employer to pay for anything unreasonable. I had hoped that I would go to the doc and she would tell me to sit up straight and stop being such a baby. But, given the severity of her warning, I feel that I do need to proceed with her recommendations.

Employer:
1. Is this something we need to report to worker's comp or should we just pay for the study as the employee is happy to pay for the physical therapy visits?
2. Would that create problems if I run into continued problems down the line?
3. Is there a conflict of interest if I have to handle my own worker's comp reporting?

I am very concerned that I handle this correctly to protect my employer, but I also want to make sure that I am taken care of and can get the tools I need to stay healthy and productive at work.

Don D

If you have primary responsibility for completion and submission of comp forms and reports, I suggest you have the person with responsibility in your absence or your supervisor actually complete the report forms or at least have a degree of involvement in their completion/signoff. You should NOT pay for the PT yourself. It can be quite expensive, but that's not the reason not to pay for it. It is the company's obligation. The comp carrier would not suggest or likely go along with that arrangement anyway. This is just another industrial injury that needs to be treated that way. Just like me totalling my wife's car last year going from plant to plant. I even assigned myself the mandatory reading and test on safe driving.

bsa

OSHA is still very focused on ergonomics and you have an ergonomic situation that should be addressed through your employer's W/C carrier. Your doctor has prescribed appropriate remedies with therapy and job analysis by a ergonomic specialist. Carpal tunnel can be minimized by changing small things in the work environment such as the keyboard and chair, as well as exercises and small breaks between tasks -- none of these are very expensive.

Jessica

Thanks to both of you for taking the time to respond. I spoke with the CEO yesterday and we came to the same conclusions. I particularly enjoyed the totalled car example Don. After I posted my questions I took a minute to think about how this would be handled for anyone else, and why I shouldn't have the same benefits as any other employee (since I certainly face the same consequences in other situations). Your reinforcement of that question is much appreciated.