Welcome to VERCIDA website.
Skip to main contentby Paul Breen, JMW's Head of Catastophic Injuries
At a certain stage in the process of recovering from a head injury, an individual may feel that they are ready to return to work. However, the lasting effects that a head injury can have on executive functioning can make it tricky to effectively do the job they previously held. Executive functioning is the broad term for the set of processes used to manage oneself and one’s resources, so when your executive functioning is affected, skills such as multitasking, concentrating, remembering or being able to work in a busy or noisy environment, could be affected.
It is vital that employers have an understanding of what support they can provide if one of their workers suffers a head injury. Unfortunately, there is still a general nervousness on the part of both employers and employees when it comes to discussing mental health issues. Paul Breen, head of JMW’s catastrophic injuries team, explains where this nervousness comes from:
“In my experience, employees are afraid to talk about the impact a head injury has had on their ability to work for fear of being misunderstood or patronised. Employers, on the other hand, are reluctant to ask questions for fear of saying the wrong thing. Allowing time to talk to the individual about their specific injury and the impact it is having on what they can and cannot do is a great starting point.
“There are many ways to approach an employee’s return to work after a head injury and it is important to make sure that this is done correctly because it is a key part of the recovery process.”
The personal injury team at full-service law firm JMW Solicitors has created a visual guide to give head injury sufferers and employers an idea of what should be discussed and what strategies can be put into place before and after an employee returns to work.
What employees can do
Returning to work following a head injury can be a stressful and worrying time, but there are steps you can take to minimise this by re-familiarising yourself with your working pattern. For instance, you could go to bed and wake up at the same time that you will be getting up when you’re back at work, or you could practice your commute in the run up to your return to work, giving you confidence that you can commute safely.
If your job involves a computer, watching films or playing video games can get you used to focusing on a screen for long periods of time again, while reading books and completing word puzzles can be useful for engaging your brain and problem solving. Memory aids, such as diaries and to-do lists, can help with organisation and preparation.
What employers can do
From an employer’s perspective, it is important to understand what support they can provide to make the transition back to work as easy as possible. Employers are also legally required to make reasonable adjustments to the workplace under the Equality Act 2010.
Examples of adjustments that might need to be made include:
Paul Breen concludes: “Without appropriate assistance, individuals can quickly become overwhelmed and may be unable to cope; a disaster for both employee and employer. Having an open dialogue can make all the difference and ensure that the right adjustments are made - whether this is an increase in flexibility of working hours, a change of role or having different support structures in place to ensure that the person is treated fairly.
“Creating a supportive, open environment for those individuals who have suffered a head injury may seem daunting. However, the rewards run very deep. I always do as much as possible to help my clients get back to work after they have sustained a head injury, and I hope our guide goes some way to helping facilitate supportive discussions and, ultimately, get people back into the world of work.”
Vercida works with over one hundred clients who are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. If you are an employer and interested in working with Vercida to promote your diversity and inclusion initiatives and attract the best candidates, please call 02037405973 or email [email protected] for more information.
We are also officially recommended by Disability Confident as a step on achieving Employer status, please click here for more information.
Thank you for registering on VERCIDA - the leading job site for companies that are passionate about diversity and inclusion.
Please proceed to the next step. If you are unable to complete the next stage of application please use the contact form HERE.