Brain injuries are a serious business. They are capable of impacting a whole range of daily life tasks that are otherwise taken for granted. Lots of these skills are needed for fulfilling professional obligations and therefore, going to work can become a difficult and different ballpark entirely. There are physical, emotional, and cognitive barriers to navigate, and this guide explores all of these in the context of how they may affect a career.
Physical Barriers
The most common physical barriers that manifest after this type of injury are fatigue, general weakness, mobility restrictions, and vision difficulties. These should never be taken lightly because any one of these symptoms would affect someone’s ability to successfully fulfill their professional duties. Expectations are often unrealistic from both employee and employer, as the full severity is never taken into consideration. The fact is, physical symptoms are sometimes just insurmountable when it comes to returning to life as it was before. This means changes must take place that protect your best interests and ones that support this new way of existence.
What Kind Of Mobility Restrictions Might You Be Facing?
TBIs can cause a wide range of mobility restrictions including a complete paralysis of limbs, decreased motor function and depleted dexterity, and other issues with mainstream walking patterns.
Cognitive Obstacles
Given that the brain is the control center for a body, it stands to reason that cognitive capacity will also be impacted in a number of ways. These things don’t happen exclusively among every single TBI patient, but there will be a high number of symptoms that manifest nonetheless. You may struggle with any of the following.
Holding a Conversation
Whether it is because you struggle to verbally communicate after the accident, or you are re-learning how to understand speech and general communication practices, holding a conversation can be an extreme barrier to returning to a career successfully. Talking is a big part of working, and there are few roles in the world where silence is acceptable or sustainable.
Memory
Memory can also be impacted. This leads to people forgetting tasks, not following through on obligations, and is a general disadvantage in any workspace.
Executive Function
Another major obstacle is regarding executive function and all the effects a TBI can bring on. For example, being a successful professional that does well at their job means you have to be well-organized, capable of presenting your work, and complete a set number of tasks on a daily basis. Well, if your injuries are interfering with your ability to do any one of these things you will have a unique set of roadblocks in your path, which make it that much harder to engage and perform in any capacity.
Emotional Problems
Finally, there will also be some emotional problems to manage as well. It could be extreme mood swings that you have very little (to no) control over which would affect both job performance and inter-workplace relationships with colleagues and management. There may also be a lack of patience, general irritability with anything, and struggles with regulation. To overcome this would be extremely difficult indeed, and some people never really return back to their pre-accident state.
How the Return to Work Should Be Supported
If the decision is taken to return to work, there can be a number of support structures put in place to facilitate an easier transition. Any one of the strategies below should be considered, and they may make it more accessible for TBI patients to step back into their professional roles and feel supported as they do so. No one should be treated unfairly just because something happened that was outside of their control. Employers must educate themselves on all of the consequences of such an injury so that they can provide the correct support for their team.
A Staggered Return
Going straight back into full-time hours is too demanding, and may lead to an exacerbation of symptoms. To avoid this from happening, an employee may request a staggered return that focuses on building up their overall stamina regarding performance and attendance. For example, instead of coming back into a five-day week, a three-day week is a viable alternative route.
Shorter Days
Another option is to initiate shorter work patterns that look like a part-time working week for an extended period. Much like a staggered return, a shorter day will help an employee dealing with a brain injury to feel less overwhelmed and more capable of concentrating their efforts during this time of rehabilitation.
Having More Breaks
There are several labor laws that control the legal number of breaks an employee must take over any given workday. Injured employees should advocate for an increased or extended break session so their day is easier overall.
Stepping Into an Alternative Role
It will always be difficult to maintain a high-powered position that comes with major responsibilities. While recovery is taking place, a less demanding role may be the better option.
When Things Go Wrong
The possibility for the return to work to go wrong is high. Some people never manage to get back on their feet in the same way, and others may simply struggle to feel valued or respected. There are cases of employees losing their roles with a view to being replaced by someone without these types of restrictions. When this happens, it is entirely within your rights to make a legal challenge. Scarlett Law Group are well practiced in representing clients with brain injuries who are facing an adverse situation from their employer. If your performance is being called into question, there is a way forward.
Contact our office on the number below, or make an appointment to visit us in-house. Our attorneys will always welcome you with understanding and compassion. A brain injury is the most likely type of physical impairment that can affect your ability to work, but there will always be a route forward to making sure your life is comfortable and your well-being is protected.
Our office is here at 536 Pacific Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133.
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