It is almost unthinkable to ponder what would happen should you lose the ability to go to work especially in these more austere times where every penny is already accounted for the moment the pay packet reaches your account.

For some may have generous sick pay entitlement, others have to rely on statutory sick pay and even then that is for a limited amount of time. This can have serious consequences to ensuring bills are paid on time and the lifestyle that you and your family are used to could be disturbed.

Catching a bug or general bouts of ill health tend to be over within a short period of time and do not require more than a few days off but it is possible to develop a person injury that could lead to difficulties in attending the workplace and cause serious grief in completing your daily work tasks.

Some of the more common injuries that can affect workplace attendance are described below.

RSI

Within the office environment Repetitive Strain Injuries are often cited as the reason for major discomfort and can lead to absences from work. Often referred to carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis or tennis elbow, these injuries can be caused due to the continuous and repetitive movements during work, or through a sport you play. All work places have an obligation to assess each employee’s workstation to ensure that their working conditions won’t cause any injuries like this. The alternative could be pain with lengthy physiotherapy and medication the only way to resolve it.

Back Pain

An injury to the back can prove to have long lasting painful consequences, as the spine is the axis of all your movements. Should a back injury occur it can severely reduce your ability to work comfortably, and this is true regardless of whether you work at a desk, labouring or drive vehicles. There is a real fear of damaging any part of the back as it tends to lead to a weakening of the spine and increase the likelihood of causing damage to it again. As a developed work force, being based at a desk has become the default position; unfortunately this lack of movement is put forward as a factor behind an increasingly poor posture and fitness.

Broken Bones

Depending on the type of job, a broken bone (limbs or other) can require a lengthy lay off until the damage has been repaired and this can have issues with your pay packet. Serious breaks can take around six weeks or more to heal, but this does not take into account any lengthy physiotherapy required to introduce the full range of movement back.

Shoulder Injury

Similar to your back, damaging your shoulders can severely limit movement and for those working on construction sites for example, leaving the worker unable to lift or carry any parts or tools. Those working in trades can often be self employed and missing out on work days and losing out on much needed cash.

Cracked Ribs

Damaging the rib cage provides a serious amount of discomfort to the sufferer, mainly due to the fact that there is very little that can be done to help ease the pain bar painkillers. With the ribs moving constantly with each breath the pain can provide a barrier to being able to go to work. Despite the lack of treatment available it would obviously be preferable to recuperate at home, although this can be dependent on the availability of sick pay on offer.