According to Safe Work Australia, the proportion of Australians who have made a permanent return to the workforce following injury or illness has been declining since 2016, down 5% over the last seven years.
For many people, their injury and resulting treatment may prompt them to reconsider next steps in their career. Moreover, changes in physical or mental capability, or the length of time away from work, may make returning to a previous role more difficult.
As someone who has experienced injury and successfully returned to the workforce, Diamond Creek resident Linten Attard, knows firsthand how difficult it can be.
Linten, now aged 50 years, sustained a serious injury following a severe burn to 86% of his body during a motorbike accident as a young adult. As a result of his injury, Linten lives with chronic pain and is an amputee, having lost all fingers on his left hand and most on his right.
“I was too young at the time to really know how the injury was going to affect me in the long run. I was focused on finishing my rehabilitation and then completing my schooling. When it was time to look for a job, I was worried about what my options would be”, said Linten.
In 2020, Linten moved from New South Wales to his home in Victoria. This was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and like many Australians, Linten found it challenging to find employment that was right for him.
“I’ve always been motivated to work and know it’s an important way to contribute to the community. I tried to get a couple of jobs but was finding it difficult to find work that would take me on, as a result of my injury and what I was qualified and experienced do to”, said Linten.
As Linten continued to be challenged to find employment on his own, a friend recommended he
