Going to work can take a heavy physical toll on your body. Unless you are a professional athlete, you probably do not train to get in shape for your job. However, if you have been away from work for a while, then maybe you should.
Due to the unprecedented past year, the factory or other place you work in may have closed down for some time. Returning to your role could be a shock for your body.
Industrial work requires considerable physical exertion
A typical workday for you may involve walking over 10 miles per day across the factory or warehouse floor. It may involve squatting down and picking boxes and work materials repeatedly throughout your day. Or, you may need to pick up heavy tools and need to use them repeatedly. Thanks to your job, you probably never need to go to the gym. Normally, you get plenty of exercise just by working.
Employers should allow workers to ease back in gently
Imagine if you walk into a gym and walk 10 miles on the treadmill after having done little exercise for months. Then you head over to the weights and do several hundred repetitions. By the time you get home, your whole body would be in agony. However, there is no time to recover because you must do it all again the next day and the one after that.
Heading straight back to work after an extended leave of absence could have the same effect on your body. If your employer expects you to return to the same rigorous schedule as before, it could increase the risk you get injured. After an extended absence from work, you may be more prone to muscle strain, back injuries and other accidents — especially if your employer isn’t willing to ease you back into the work.
If you get hurt on the job after returning to the workplace after an extended period of leave, you can claim worker’s compensation benefits. Working with an experienced advocate may be your wisest decision.