Tom Gardner wrote:
One of my mechanics is claiming carpal tunnel. I always thought repetitive
motion was to blame. He does general repair and maintenance and set-ups,
usually with nothing more than a set of Allan wrenches and a 8" crescent.
I'm a little leery after he declared bankruptcy a few years ago after
applying for and maxing-out numerous credit cards to get all the building
materials and rehabbing three houses, go on dive and ski trips and buy his
then girlfriend a $10k diamond ring. In fact, he wanted to be paid under
the table for the process...I refused. He's lawyered up and refuses our
medical protocol. It's rumored that he has another job lined up. I just
smell a scam. I know, management is always trying to screw the worker but I
value, reward and love my people...he's always been just a "Them" but he's
been treated with kid gloves because he IS bright and resourceful but always
needed constant motivation. I've always tried to maximize someone's
strengths and minimize their weaknesses.

Does anybody have any experience with carpal tunnel syndrome? Is it common
to be caused by a mechanic's work? Gee, do you think rehabbing three houses
could have been more strain than his job? Or, his Wet-bike?



I've had the carpal tunnel thing for 15 years, maybe a little more..
I've never had the surgery due to the fact I've heard things can be
worse in the end and an aspirin each day that I'm doing what aggravates
it seems to be all that's required to keep it at a low level.
Welding/chipping, running the electric drill, hammering, surfing the
net, riding the motorcycle, running the chainsaw/mower/weedwhip, they'll
all bring it on. As will wrenching for someone who's paying me..

As far as this guy goes, I say look at the atitude and past experience;
he's got a lawyer, he won't cooperate with your policy regarding his
complaint, and he's shown himself to be considerably dishonest.. He's
working on scamming you something fierce.

In my experience, it's a condition that can be lived with. Others may
have a different experience, I dont' know.. but if he's claiming it's
all due to working for you he's either ignorant or a liar.

What's he trying to get out of you? Lifetime unemployment? The surgery?
You should certainly not discriminate against him, but can't you put him
on a job that is better suited to his condition? At, say, minimum
wage.. If you can't cut his pay, you could make him the door guard- give
him a stool and make him sit and watch the door so someone don't steal.
No books, nothing to distract his attention. If he quits, who cares..

Anyway, a crafty lawyer is in order. It's gonna cost you no matter what
you do, and good advice is a good investment- you can use it more than
once. You might also change your company policy to directly address
this, have everyone sign that they accept whatever screwing you have
planned for him and if he don't want to sign he can walk. Can you fire
him now for not going by your policy?

Got a snitch in the shop? Maybe they know something that would be good
for you to know..

Best of luck with it, hope to hear it turns out good

John