Apprentice Off Long-Term Sick

[Pauline Ferguson]

We have an apprentice Joiner who is currently off on the sick after having an accident on holiday and fracturing his wrist. He has been absent from July.

They are in their second year and has already missed 3 weeks from this years college term.

His manager met with him last week where he advised that he is looking at getting an operation as it hasn’t healed properly, this is going to mean taking more time off from work and again missing more college time. Where do we stand with terminating this employment? We have informed him that due to college time being missed it may be the case he is to resign & start the year a fresh at beginning of next year if/when able or would be saying that we are suspending his apprenticeship for a year?

Any help would be very much appreciated.

 

[Newchodge]

What does his contract say about this type of situation?

 

[billmccallum1957]

Having a fractured wrist doesn't mean he cant work, just that his movement will be limited.

Get him back to work.

I damaged my knee ligaments skiing, I was off work for the first week, but back at work whilst in a plaster cast for 6 weeks.

 

[Mr D]

Can his work be done with one hand? Can his work be done in any fashion with assistance? Can he still learn while one hand limited?
Be wary of terminating employment over injury, it can be done but make sure every procedure has been followed. If this ends up being a disability issue you want to avoid any claim of discrimination.
Though what is 'reasonable' does vary.

 

[Newchodge]

An apprentice joiner who can only use one hand? I doubt there would be much that he could do productively.

 

[Mr D]

Hold things? Take notes? Pass someone else the tools?
Not in any way suggesting can do the whole job 100 percent alone one handed. However also not suggesting that a fractured wrist prevents someone from doing anything at all.

 

[paulears]

Fractured wrist in a qualified employee wouldn't mean getting rid of him.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

I imagine a joiner with a small saw and chisel working on a bit of nice work maybe making mortise and tenor joints, but that's bases upon knowledge of yesteryear

What does the job of a apprentice joiner do these days is it all setting up machinery or drawing up designs to be make? and what does he do at college is it just practical or is it mainly theory

What ever they do at college he could still attend, so why does he not do so

 

[Newchodge]

What ever they do at college he could still attend, so why does he not do so

That would depend on his medical note.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

How on earth does a fractured wrist stop a person attending College, it's true they may not be able to manually work but they can still attend and observe and possibly learn

 

[Diesel]

Have filmed in these places and its mostly hands on training and practice to gain the carpentry skills...

 

[Chris Ashdown]

True but watching others mistakes is still a better option of learning than sitting at home playing games

 

[lillie421]

I agree with paulears. I understand that he is an apprentice and so needs to complete his training, college and coursework but you can't just get rid of him just like that.
What does his contract say? Most apprentices have similar rights to a regular employee and so think, would you terminate an employee if they broke their wrist?