Getting By After A Workplace Accident

We know. After hearing it first-hand from our clients, we know how hard it is to be involved in a workplace accident. It can be traumatizing, even. And while you thank your lucky stars that you survived the ordeal, you can’t help but think “What now?” This is especially true in cases where the employee is the bread winner of the family. After getting into a nasty work-related accident, you can’t help but think about what you can do to fend for the family’s needs.

For one, asking your employer for monetary assistance while you’re recuperating is an option. Companies should assume liability for employees who have suffered from work-related injuries or illnesses. Otherwise, they can be pressed with charges due to violating major stipulations in the Labor Law. They could offer them paid vacation or lump sum assistance, whichever is more ideal for the situation. Also, they are required to process that employee’s Worker’s Compensation and SS Disability Benefits. Even without getting hospitalized, paying for medicine and other outpatient treatments can be pretty overbearing for someone earning minimum wage. This is why the law protects the disadvantaged. It’s hard enough to be going through a painful experience. To worry about medical expenses and other necessities while recuperating is just torture.

For the time being, you should at least take things easy.

But what if sitting idly and doing nothing just isn’t your thing? I know a lot of people, including myself, who just can’t live unproductively. Some of us just crave work, you know? Sitting in front of the TV for the next two months is hardly a fantasy we would like to entertain.

So, how can you make your time off work more productive?

If you’re curious to know our fun suggestions, then by all means, read on.

5 Things You Can Do To Be Productive While On Sick Leave

Being productive is never a bad thing. In fact, it will help you regain your lost touch for work. It’s going to help you make a great comeback by the time you’re fully fit to work again. Even when the type of work you can do is limited while you’re still recuperating, it’s still better than just sitting idly by, doing nothing. Here are a couple of things you can do while on sick leave to help you maintain your productivity:   

Help Out At Home

If you’re the breadwinner of the family, you’re probably too busy working to participate in housework. Well, maybe now’s the time to partake in the whole housekeeping process. For all you know, you might find household chores quite enjoyable as well. We’re pretty sure the missus will be thrilled! If you have a hard time moving around, you can start by doing simple chores around the house like ironing and folding clothes. Or, you can help out with the dishes. If you’ve got a gift for cooking, showing the family your Master Chef skills every once in a while isn’t such a bad idea either!

Learn A New Skill

How else can you make better use of your time than learn something completely new? Just because you’re sick or injured doesn’t mean you can’t do anything worthwhile anymore. Learning a new skill is a very productive way to pass the time. You can learn how to cook, play chess, or maybe do a little pottery. You can pick up a hobby you’ve had a long time ago or learn something completely new. Maybe, you have some other talents sleeping within you. Whatever it is, one thing is for sure: Learning a new skill is never a waste of time. You may even get to use it when you get back to work.

Consider Taking An Online Class

On top of learning a new skill, you can also take up an online course during your short break from work. You can take a class that’s related to your field of work and maybe land a few new certifications along the way. If your job has something to do with computers or programming, taking a cybersecurity course would be a great addition to your credentials. Or, if you’re a cook at a local restaurant, maybe a certificate in food handling would come in handy in the future. Just because you got a time-out from work doesn’t mean you get a time-out in life. Keep learning and keep growing. Make your time off worthwhile. 

Work Part-time

If you’re up and about but the doctor still doesn’t recommend that you go back to work, how about working part-time? With the world going online and all, there are many transient and skill-based projects offered in the internet. You just have to know where to look. You can go freelancing for a while and take up short-term jobs. This way, you can earn a little extra too. If you have the skills (e.g. teaching, writing, encoding, programming), why not put it to good use by making it profitable. Don’t worry; you won’t lose your disability or sickness benefits by doing this. You are allowed to work for a certain number of hours per week – as long as it doesn’t exceed the allowable limits.   

Start A Small Online Business

Lastly, you may want to consider setting up your own online shop. It doesn’t have to be big or grand, a simple retail store would do. If you love being on social media websites, then this shouldn’t be a problem. Many sellers now go to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to post pictures of what they’re selling. If you have a unique product of your own, why not introduce it to the online market as well. Who knows? It might make you good money. You might also find yourself continuing even after you’ve gotten back to work.