Not much of a blather-rer myself, happy to lurk in the undergrowth as a voyeur of the group rather than a contributor, but have occasionally been impressed with the professional and commonsense input from many of the regular contributors, that I thought I might throw this conundrum (ethical/moral dilemma) into the debating pit to gauge the opinion of a peer group.
Consider this, an arb. professional with several years experience is recently diagnosed with a slipped disc. The condition is not considered serious or chronic enough to warrant surgery at this stage according to the orthopaedic consultant. They have worked with this condition for some years undiagnosed, and there is a high probability that the injury was picked up even before they started a career in tree surgery! The person involved is no spring chicken (let’s say early 40’s) but does’nt feel ready for the scrap heap. Loves the business but only has relevant NTCP tickets, no formal qualifications to fall back on, but is prepared to grit their teeth and crack on regardless as they have been doing for years anyway. No time has ever been taken off for sickness in respect of this injury, it has never been eluded too and they’ve never shirked any duties or tasks, never bitched or moaned nor sought special dispensation or privileges.
Here’s the dilemma, what is the employers and their insurers perception of an employee in this position? Do they see that individual as a liability to the company, its clients and his colleagues? A claim waiting to happen! Would a company’s insurance company refuse to cover such an individual? And what about his colleagues, suppose he’s part of a two man team, what about the risk of their back suddenly “going” at a critical moment (say in the middle of an aerial rescue of a workmate who’s bleeding from a severed wrist) what kind of attitude or reaction might he expect from them if they knew of his predicament?
As you can see there are a number of issues that could be associated with somebody’s “bad back” probably more than the few that I have mentioned. I look forward to reading the points of view of members who’d like to have their tuppence worth on the subject and to see what the consensus would be on whether to ‘fess up and take it easy (if they can keep their job!) or stay schtum and carry on regardless (and hope they don’t let themselves or their workmates down!).
Thoughts, comments (BS free) appreciated.
Gnarly (not my real name!)
