Injured myself at work

[Lawrencepa2014]

Was coming down some stairs and on one of the corner stairs there was a bit of a dip and I badly twisted my ankle. Ankle is swollen and tender to touch now. Can barely walk on it. Got sent home after filling out a form online with the managers (not sure if this was ERICA or not?). Went to a&e and they confirmed sprain and told I’ll need 5 days off work for now. I literally feel immobile right now. I’m already on a stage 1 and if I have any more before march it could be a stage 2 but I feel like I can’t do much with the way I am. Also I’ve already got sent home today. Not sure if it’ll be dismissed because it’s an accident at work? I had Royal Mail shoes on and good tread, wasn’t doing anything I shouldn’t be. Not sure how long it’ll take to recover either. What’s your advice?

[Basildon Bond]

I had Royal Mail shoes on and good tread, wasn’t doing anything I shouldn’t be.

Sorry about your situation. But the wide question to my mind is what is it with having to wear Royal Mail supplied shoes? Is there something super special about RM shoes that go beyond regular footwear? From my experience they are nothing special and hence any accident that occurs should not start with "what shoes were you wearing?".

[funkflex55]

My advice is to relax, get better and go back when you're fit to. If you're not breaking any health and safety rules then RM would be very brave/stupid to sack somebody for this absence. You would have a great case for unfair dismissal but I highly doubt that would be the outcome.

[rubberbond]

Don’t worry about it, it’s an accident on duty, therefore unless things have changed they don’t count towards stage warnings , just concentrate on strengthening your ankle for the return to work ,ask for an occupational health referral for rehab.

[thefox]

Just be careful they don't somehow try to blame you,something like were you holding on to the handrail or were you watching where you were putting your feet or some other garbage I've seen it in our office the manager trying to find fault with the postie.

[olilew]

I had Royal Mail shoes on and good tread, wasn’t doing anything I shouldn’t be.

Sorry about your situation. But the wide question to my mind is what is it with having to wear Royal Mail supplied shoes? Is there something super special about RM shoes that go beyond regular footwear? From my experience they are nothing special and hence any accident that occurs should not start with "what shoes were you wearing?".

If you are not wearing RM shoes and are not medically exempt from doing so they will not entertain any claim. They might even discipline you for not adhering to H&S protocol.

[Kenfandango]

Seems to depend on who you are, apparently had a guy at ours a few years back that got clipped by a deliveroo scooter on the pavement and managers blamed the postie for not wearing a high-vis

[enskied]

I had Royal Mail shoes on and good tread, wasn’t doing anything I shouldn’t be.

Sorry about your situation. But the wide question to my mind is what is it with having to wear Royal Mail supplied shoes? Is there something super special about RM shoes that go beyond regular footwear? From my experience they are nothing special and hence any accident that occurs should not start with "what shoes were you wearing?".

If you are not wearing RM shoes and are not medically exempt from doing so they will not entertain any claim. They might even discipline you for not adhering to H&S protocol.

Not true.
Had this occur at ours, person wearing own good quality trainers. They used a private solicitor to defend their case , no disciplinary and a very reasonable several thousand pound compensation pay out.
If your footwear is equal to , or exceeds the poor quality of royal mail standards.

Plus, can't order footwear if your quota is up. We all seem to be wearing out shoes so quickly now.

[olilew]

Equally not true, your manager can order you shoes if your quota is reached. I've done it several times. On your initial point I find it interesting that your person had to use a private solicitor. I doubt the outcome would have been the same otherwise.

[enskied]

Equally not true. Your manager it seems can be arsed ours can't.

[guardianangel]

stage 2 coming then your union rep will appeal it then get taken off it ,i think they just love the harassment its in their dna, take in your rep for your return to work.

[SpacePhoenix]

stage 2 coming then your union rep will appeal it then get taken off it ,i think they just love the harassment its in their dna, take in your rep for your return to work.

Don't think stage 2s can be appealed any more under the new sick absence system

[guardianangel]

stage 2 coming then your union rep will appeal it then get taken off it ,i think they just love the harassment its in their dna, take in your rep for your return to work.

Don't think stage 2s can be appealed any more under the new sick absence system

oh well another one bites the dust.

[stevejm]

I had Royal Mail shoes on and good tread, wasn’t doing anything I shouldn’t be.

Sorry about your situation. But the wide question to my mind is what is it with having to wear Royal Mail supplied shoes? Is there something super special about RM shoes that go beyond regular footwear? From my experience they are nothing special and hence any accident that occurs should not start with "what shoes were you wearing?".

It makes no sense, but them the rules. To circumvent them get a doctor's note saying that you need to buy your own high quality shoes. I presented with painful bruising which the doctor diagnosed as nerve damage. The note from doctor cost me £30 - RM will reimburse this. Now that I have to buy my own work shoes then RM will reimburse me £35 towards each pair - which is probably there cost price for their own terrible shoes.

[Lawrencepa2014]

Signed off until the end of this week. Still hurts but it has improved since it happened. Been the same for last week though. Some days better than others. Spoke to work today and they said occupational health might not be interested as it’s not an ongoing issue. Don’t really know what to do about returning. Should I wait until I’m completely ok? Or wait until it’s mostly better and hope that they will be kind and let me do some office work until I’m ready?