Get the scoop - how one employer helped his worker return after injury
17 November 2022
Giada, a manager and gelato maker at La Macelleria Gelateria, required surgery after being diagnosed with repetitive strain injury. The support she received from her employer, Matteo, helped Giada return to work and wellbeing.
Matteo: Giada is a big part of La Macelleria. She's the manager. She is also our cake designer. Obviously when I heard about the injury, it was kind of a shock.
Giada: As many people in hospitality, I had some issues related to repetitive strain injuries. And so, what happened is that after 18 years doing this job, I kind of developed carpal tunnel in both hands, and my elbow - I had some issues in term of tennis and golf elbow, epicondylitis. I arrived to a point that I couldn't sleep much because it's a nerve kind of issue. Working was getting very difficult.
Matteo: We decided, better to stop, figure out the plan. You can take sick leave, holidays until we figure it out and then basically WorkCover came into place.
Giada: I received both carpal tunnel release surgery, both wrists, and I received four injections in my elbow.
Rachael: So, once Giada got some clearance from her specialist post-surgery, and then WorkCover sent through a referral to come out and assist with, just clarifying if there were some duties she could do within the workplace.
Giada: I basically decided whatever was possible to do, also I was very keen to come back to work, because staying home was a little too much for me not doing anything.
Matteo: She's pretty active. She can't stay still, so it was really important to find the duties where the hands were not involved.
Rachael: So sometimes a suitable duty can also be alternate duties that is not within her normal duties. So, for Giada it was doing more mentoring of other staff of how to make gelato, which wasn't part of her normal role.
Matteo: So basically, just supervising, give a hand to new staff members and take care of that side of the business.
Giada: My job is still tied to using my hands a lot, and so with a double surgery like that, honestly, I couldn't pay rent, so I'm extremely grateful. It was big help for my family.
Matteo: It's really important to stay connected. They want to actually be involved and feel that you are present, and you want to help them through recovering, and come back to the workplace.
WorkCover Queensland recently spoke to Giada and Matteo about their return to work journey.
Giada told us her injury developed over time.
"After 18 years doing this job, I kind of developed carpal tunnel in both hands, and my elbow - I had some issues in term of tennis and golf elbow."
Giada was diagnosed with epicondylitis, and it got progressively worse.
"I arrived at a point that I couldn't sleep much because it's a nerve kind of issue. Working was getting very difficult."
For Matteo, the diagnosis was initially a challenge.
"Giada is a big part of La Macelleria. She's the manager. She is also our cake designer. Obviously when I heard about the injury, it was kind of a shock."
After Giada’s surgery, WorkCover made a referral to rehabilitation specialist Rachael, who facilitated a safe transition back to work. Despite being unable to use her hands, Rachael and Giada were able to identify other work she could be doing, like mentoring other staff to make gelato.
Having Giada back to work as soon as possible was a win for everyone. Matteo was able to retain his valuable employee and the experience Giada brings to his business. For Giada "staying at home was a little too much for me, not doing anything."
On the topic of how an employer can best support their worker’s return Matteo sums it up best:
"It's really important to stay connected. They want to actually be involved and feel that you are present, and you want to help them through recovering, and come back to the workplace."
And no one was more appreciative than Giada.
"My job is still tied to using my hands a lot, and so with a double surgery like that, honestly, I couldn't pay rent, so I'm extremely grateful. It was big help for my family."