Empathy is defined as ‘the ability to understand and share the feelings of another’. However, being able to naturally exhibit empathy is not a trait endemic to all people. For some, it has to be a learned skill and, according to palliative care specialist Dr Robyn Thomas, something all health professionals need to learn.

WorkSafe Victoria has made significant changes to a return-to-work service model that could incentivise more physiotherapists to be involved in the early treatment of injured workers.

As of 1 July, some physiotherapy consultation fees within the early intervention physiotherapy framework (EIPF) will increase by more than 16 per cent, with provision also made for additional extended consultation sessions in the assessment and treatment of injured and ill workers.

Physically demanding trade jobs can cause and exacerbate a range of injuries and health conditions. It’s not surprising that tradies are over-represented in workplace injury statistics compared to other workers. The average time off work for a tradie due to serious workplace injury is five to six weeks—time many tradies simply can’t afford, especially those who are self-employed.

What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning and the last thing before you fall asleep at night? The answer is likely to be ‘look at my phone’.

Who is eligible to make a request for a flexible working arrangement?

The National Employment Standards (NES) recommends that certain groups of employees can request flexible working arrangements, including:

Helping tradespeople understand just how much physiotherapy can assist them recover from injury and how physiotherapists can help educate them about work-related injury avoidance techniques are the foci of this month’s Tradies National Health Month.

From the first full pay period commencing on or after 9 July 2019, all ordinary hours worked by a permanent employee on Saturday between 8.00 am and 4.30 pm are just paid with a 50 per cent loading (meaning double time is no longer required from the third hour afternoon).