sick leave

Ask Shaye: Progressing a claim

February 3, 2022 by Madeline Lucre Leave a Comment

How do I progress a claim for workers compensation? My manager has said it is my problem to make a claim.

Despite the presumption applying to prescribed workers, in which it is presumed transmission of COVID-19 occurred at work, you will still need to get a Certificate of Capacity from your doctor. This is the same documentation that a doctor would fill in for any workplace injury. You should provide the completed form to your employer, who is obliged to forward this on in a timely fashion to their insurer.

Ask Shaye: Claim process

February 3, 2022 by Madeline Lucre Leave a Comment

I provided the completed form to my workplace last week but nothing much seems to have happened. What can I expect?

An employer is obliged to notify their insurer within 48 hours of becoming aware that a worker has received a COVID-19 diagnosis, whether the diagnosis will lead to a workers compensation claim or not. A claim received from a worker should be provided immediately by the employer to their insurer/claims manager.

Noting the presumption involved, the insurer will just need to be reasonably satisfied that the worker contracted COVID-19 at work. The insurer must start provisional weekly payments of compensation within seven days of notification, unless they have a reasonable excuse not to. This is to minimise the disruption to your life while the insurer fully assesses your claim (if such time is needed).

If the insurer subsequently does not accept your claim, you will not be required to pay back the provisional payments.

Ask Shaye: Worker’s leave used

February 3, 2022 by Madeline Lucre Leave a Comment

I have put in my claim but have been put on sick leave. Do I get that back?

While you may be placed on sick leave/personal leave initially, this should be recredited to you when the claim is accepted.

Guarantee paid special leave for all workers: Unions

March 27, 2020 by Rayan Calimlim Leave a Comment

The Australian union movement, including the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association, is calling on the Federal Government to mandate paid special leave for all workers, including casual and contract workers.

Australian unions are standing together on behalf of the 32% of working Australians who do not have access to paid leave. These workers will not have any income if they are required to take time off work due to contracting COVID-19 or if required to self-isolate.

This puts pressure on health workers’ ability to stop the spread of COVID-19, as workers are forced to choose between keeping themselves and their communities safe, or being able to put food on the table.

“We must remove the financial penalty for people to make the decision to self-isolate”, said Australian Unions Secretary Sally McManus.

“We’ve seen the Morrison Government ignoring workers. It is not good enough and we will keep fighting to get paid special leave for as many as possible.”

To date, the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association has secured paid special leave for COVID-19 for a large cohort of their members, including those working for NSW Health, Healthscope and BUPA. The Association is continuing to negotiate with other healthcare operators to provide this benefit for members.

For more up to date information go to: www.thelamp.com.au

To support this campaign, please sign this petition.

If you believe you are entitled to special paid leave for COVID-19, but are having issues accessing it, NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association can assist. You can contact us here.

If you are not yet a member, you can join today to receive help during this COVID-19 pandemic.