Posted By BarryS If an employee is injured at work and has been told by the OHS of the Company that he cannot return at present - does his Company have any obligation to maintin him on full pay during this period or does it fall back to the companies normal sick pay procedures?

Posted By steve e ashton There is no statutory obligation - it depends largely on the employment contracts in place, and the attitude of the employer generally. There used to be special requirements under DSS systems for industrial accident absence, but these lapsed many years ago. Payment of full wage for an extended period after an industrial accident is common in many workplaces in an attempt to 'head off' potential damages claims. If the injured employee isn't obviously losing cash from his wage packet, the theory is, he is less likely to initiate a claim. If a claim is initiated, the fact of full wage maintenance will reduce the eventual settlement and so may also act to deter the 'ambulance chasing' claims specialist lawyers out there. Be wary though that if you have one rule for 'normal' absence, and another for 'industrial injury' absence - continuing the full pay regime is in effect admitting that the absence is due to a work accident, which your insurers may view in a very negative way, so speak to them as well as to an HR specialist..... Steve