Question

You are a middle-level manager in a public health department. One of your closest friends, Janie, is an RN under your span of control. Today, Janie calls and tells you that she injured her back yesterday during a home visit after she slipped on a wet front porch. She said that the home owners were unaware that she fell and that no one witnessed the accident. She has just returned from visiting her doctor who advises 6 weeks of bed rest. She requests that you initiate the paperwork for workers' compensation and disability because she has no sick days left.

Shortly after your telephone conversation with Janie, you take a brief coffee break in the lounge. You overhear a conversation between Jon and Lacey, two additional staff members in your department. Jon says that he and Janie were water skiing last night, and she took a terrible fall and hurt her back. He planned to call her to see how she was feeling.

You initially feel hurt and betrayed by Janie because you believe that she has lied to you. You want to call Janie and confront her. You want to deny her request for workers' compensation and disability. You are angry that she has placed you in this position. You are also aware that proving Janie's injury is not work related may be difficult.

ASSIGNMENT:

How should you proceed? What are the political ramifications if this incident is not handled properly? How should you use your power and authority when dealing with this problem?

Answer 1

Being in the position of a middle level manager ,this situation has to be proceeded professionally and not on the basis of friendship

If this incident is not handled properly at this level it will have an impact on the management at higher level in making a confirmation of decision of an employee. If the middle level manager provides a wrong information and gets approval for the worker's compensation and disability it is against the labour law act and can sue a person legally for malpractice.

It will create a thinking in the mind of other employees that there has been a partiality and anyone can misuse and get a compensation, Simply it can be a wrong guidance to other employees also.

By using the power and authority the RN can be called off for submitting the medical records and being verified for its truth.If the disability is work related then a compensation can be given but if it is not work related worker's compensation is not applicable to the employee. An important thing to be analysed is that what will be the severity of a fall in the wet porch and its management. It makes one think that is it a real necessity for a rest of 6 weeks just by fall on the wet porch.This leave period is acceptable for a fractured case or for a surgery. It can be identified that the employee is lying and even a memo can be given if proved.