Scott has been hired by your organization and has worked for you for nine months. ?

Question

Scott has been hired by your organization and has worked for you for nine months. He soon begins reporting he has hurt his back while on the job. After numerous sick days and trips to the doctor, Scott returns.

You work as a manager for the organization. While at a trade association conference in another city, you happen to meet several people who know Scott - and who also worked with him in the past. They begin telling stories about how he always claimed to be hurt or sick and filed numerous worker compensation claims. You learn that the organization gave him a hefty settlement to take care of all of his distress and pain.

While you have no clear proof that Scott is getting ready to file worker compensation claims at your organization, you believe that Scott's recent work behaviors are strikingly similar to those that his previous co-workers had discussed with you.

1. What concerns you about this situation?

2. What do you do with this new information?

Answer 1

Was he asked about previous employment , and reasons for leaving? I would assume, yes.

Did he mislead you in his answers?

Was he fit enough for the job hired?

What were the Compensation claims based on? A hurt back?

Does he have a "previous undisclosed health problem" that would have prohibited him from doing the job hired for?

Has he been trained in "how to lift" etc

If he lied about his previous employment, maybe a preemptive strike is required.

  

Answer 2

1. I would be seriously concerned.

2. I would seek the advice of an attorney.

Answer 3

If this is a true situation, check with Workmen's Compensation Board, and find out what kind of injuries which the guy had! Number one, HOW did he hurt his back, and were there any witnesses?? And did he go to his own doctor, or the company's!? Usually, when someone gets hurt on the job, they are given lighter work so he doesn't agrivate it any further!  Is he using the same injury over and over again? Now, I would call all his previous employers and find out the facts, not what someone told you at a conference! Answer to No.1 - if all this is true, as I said before, he is using the system to get settlements from these companies, and someone hasn't been smart enough to follow through and check this guys past out!!  After so many injuries, I am surprised he isn't on permanent disability!! But, in the meantime, don't let him work alone, he may be putting himself in jeopardy on purpose and creating his own accident!!