Question on how I get back to work
I was injured at work and was unable to return to work. I was told by the clinic that I could not return without a work release form being completed and signed by a physician
At the time, the physician that was treating me told me that they do not sign work release forms unless the situation is related to workers’ compensation. Because of that, I went to my primary care physician to have the paperwork completed so that I could return to work. However, the clinic would not accept the paperwork because my primary care physician was not the doctor treating me for the injury.
I contacted the physician who was treating my injury that same day and explained that I could not return to work without the paperwork. I was then told that I would have to wait approximately a week and a half because the physician was on vacation. This put me in a very difficult situation with the company because I was ready and willing to return to work but could not do so without the proper paperwork.
I explained the situation to the clinic, and I was told that I needed to call in every day so that I would not get in trouble. I honestly did not understand at the time that I was required to call in every day when the company knows I’m out for an injury. Once I was told, I called in for the two days I was instructed to call in, which were Thursday and Friday but on Monday my pern number couldn’t be found.
I finally received my paperwork by email and immediately went to the clinic to turn it in so I could return to work. When I arrived, however, I was told that the company believed I had gone AWOL. That was never my intention, and I was never trying to abandon my job. I was doing everything I understood I was supposed to do while trying to get the paperwork necessary to return to work.
I then filed a grievance with the union because I needed help with the situation. Unfortunately, I was recently informed that the company has denied my claim.