Thread: New Job, Old Injury

Hi guys,

I'm looking for a bit of first hand experience.

I had a successful job interview on Tuesday with a local company who are looking to put on a mature aged apprentice machinist, it's my first job interview since a lower back injury that put me on workcover, then out of a job, then into study.

It took a long time but my back has come pretty good, it'll never be like it was but I'm feeling strong again and ready for work.

The company is sending me to do a medical tomorrow and a pre-work assessment on Monday where my history will no doubt be discussed.

I really need this job but I'm losing confidence about securing the position, do I even have a chance?

What's the best way I can approach this situation for the best outcome?

HELP!

Cheers,

Ben

A lot of time these pre-employment medicals are just to draw a line in the sand - that is, to assess your current state so that if you put a claim in for damaged hearing for instance, they have evidence of what your hearing is like before. While perhaps not shouting from the rooftops that you have a bad back, I would not try to hide it or lie about it if asked directly. Remember, there is your work cover case out there somewhere. I would go prepared with reasons why it is not a problem anymore - you exercise to strengthen it, use good lifting technique, don't lift more than you are capable of etc etc.

Good luck,
Michael

Hi,

I've done a lot of medical exams for jobs (did one on Tuesday in-fact).

Your workcover history will be on file somewhere, they'll probably ask you about it on the forms you'll have to fill out. I wouldn't recommend lying about it but I also wouldn't give anything out for free.

You'll probably have to some sort of back related stress test/movement - like touch your toes or duckwalk.

You'll probably have to prove your back is up to scratch and won't effect your employment.

Don't stress about it, just give it your best shot and be honest and as accurate as you can be.

Good luck

Ben.

I had to do one of those physicals last year for my new job, also as a mature-aged apprentice.

Aside from the usual hearing, vision and drug tests, there was also a physical component where you had to show your range of motion (touch your toes, or as far as close as you can get) and that you could properly lift a box (i think it was about 10-15kg) from one shelf to another. The physical tests were done with a fitbit on so they could check your heart rate was normal.

Bear in mind that the assessment is just collecting data, it's ultimately up to the employer as to what to do with it. I actually ended up failing my colour vision test quite spectacularly (always knew I had red/green issues, never realised how bad), but my boss-to-be figured that I'd survived for 10 years in a manufacturing environment so he was still happy to take me on, just can't do anything where normal colour vision would be required.

I hate medicals. You go in feeling relatively healthy but by the end it has you guessing whether you are going to drop dead from some un-diagnosed congenital issue.

I have had to do several fairly indepth medicals and fitness tests to get into my current job. Blood pressure is the worst. I have pretty normal readings most of the time but as soon as some dude comes near me with a stethoscope it goes through the roof!

Hate them, especially when your career is hingeing on the result.

Simon

Originally Posted by simonl

II have pretty normal readings most of the time but as soon as some dude comes near me with a stethoscope it goes through the roof!

Hate them, especially when your career is hingeing on the result.

Simon

Had to do mine twice because of this very reason, second time I sat back into the chair, took a breath, relaxed a little and was in range

I completed the medical today and the Doc considered me fit for work but I still have a pre-work assessment to get through on Monday.

When filling out the medical forms it asked about previous injuries, I chose to be upfront about my history, it's not something I can hide and it'll most likely come back to bite me in the backside if i try. if it costs me the job then so be it, I'm sick of being stressed about my injury, money and work.

Thanks for the heads up boys.

Cheers

Ben

Today was the pre-work assessment.

I let them know about my back and the previous workcover claim (the forms directly asked), if the company doesn't want me then so be it.

The physical aspect of the assessment went well, except for two parts.

1. I've done the ACL on my right knee, I didn't really know until now. I injured the knee in approx 2009 when I fell about 6' from a retaining wall with my left leg caught behind me, I landed with all my body weight on my left leg which buckled at the knee in the wrong direction, I still quiver recalling the popping sound it made when I landed, I was in a lot of pain for a long long time but didn't get any sympathy so had to shut up and get over it

2. My health result for my age bracket came back as "poor"!!
This one has me scratching my head, I don't smoke and I go to the gym regularly, usually 3 times a week (25mins cardio on the elliptical then weights) I haven't been for 2 weeks because I haven't had time but surely that wouldn't make much difference, I know I need to do more exercise but "poor" is a bit harsh

I'll report back after I hear back from the employer.

Cheers

Got the apprenticeship! I start on Monday

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Cheers,

Ben

Congrats! Hope it goes well

Originally Posted by NedsHead

Got the apprenticeship! I start on Monday

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Cheers,

Ben

Just catching up on the forum, and have only just read this thread. Congratulations Ben, I hope that it all goes well or you from here on in. Just remember treat your back (and your whole body for that matter) with care and respect, and with any luck, you'll stay out of trouble. There are lots of people who rabbit on about Occ Health and Safety Nazis, and while there will be times when they are talking absolute rubbish, mostly they will be advocating safe working practices, and you would ignore them at your peril. Even when they are not making much sense in your view, it is probably smarter to suck it up and do was they want, because it sadly, it is only too common for some people to abuse their power, and give their underlings a hard time or even have them fired. After a while you will be considered a part of the furniture, and will be less vulnerable to such people. Of course of they want you to perform some dangerous or unsafe act, you have to speak up, but try to do it tactfully (not one of my strong points back in the day), and hopefully reason will prevail. Good Luck

Glad to hear that you got the job, all that worry for nought.
Kryn

Congratulations on getting the job. Machining can be a very challenging occupation, but can also be very fun and rewarding. If your motivated enough to be on a forum like this you should do very well.

Originally Posted by snapatap

Congratulations on getting the job. Machining can be a very challenging occupation, but can also be very fun and rewarding. If your motivated enough to be on a forum like this you should do very well.

Thanks snapatap, I hope I'm up for the challenge

Originally Posted by NedsHead

Got the apprenticeship! I start on Monday

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Cheers,

Ben

Good on ya mate!

We had a few adult apprentices at TAFE.They were fantastic .Always with the best work attitude and output. They also played a part in the class dynamics.
We never has problems as the older guys were intent on learning and tended to sort out those who interfered with that learning.

Congratualtions