Dealing with Harassment
Dealing with Harassment
One subject that emerges often in the IWSN is the harassment injured workers endure from insurance agencies who are bent on finding evidence that injured workers are well enough to rejoin the workforce.
This means that, as an example, if they caught you doing volunteer work they might have a claim that if you’re healthy enough to do volunteer work, you’re healthy enough to do “real” work. It can make life hard to get on with, especially if you find yourself looking for new motivations through volunteering work, being told that you can’t volunteer sounds almost like they want you to stay at home all day, not involving yourself in society and being miserable.
The first step to getting on with life while an insurance company is on your heels is understanding why they’re doing what they’re doing. Insurance companies don’t want to pay out on your claim, and if they can prove you’re fit and healthy enough to head back to work, they don’t have to. The lengths they can go to are unbelievable and can push injured workers to the edge.
If you find yourself being harassed while making a claim, here are three tips to help you navigate the situation.
1: Be careful of what you post online
When dealing with insurance companies trying to track your every move, it’s important that you remember this extends to the online space. An insurance agent also has the potential to look you up online, this includes social media. If they can see you participating in any activities, they may try to twist this narrative in a court to argue that you are fit to return to work.
It is best to be cautious about what you post online, and knowing who can see it. Make sure your privacy settings are set to the highest possible settings. For example, limiting who can tag you in photos and who can see your profile.
We do not recommend openly discussing your claim in public spaces online.
2: Be wary of private investigators
Insurance companies can hire WorkSafe approved private investigators to take on your case in an attempt to prove you’re fit and healthy enough to go back to work.
WorkSafe have a code of practice for private investigators. In fact they have a whole 13 page booklet on the matter. The code of conduct covers things like how to handle investigations ethically, how to handle mental health claims and rules for surveillance.
If you believe a private investigator has been assigned to your case, you can read up on the rules that direct their work, and get in contact with WorkSafe if you believe your private investigator has stepped outside of these boundaries.
3: Reach out to the IWSN
If you’re unsure about if an insurance agency is trying to keep an eye on you, the Injured Workers Support Network is here to hear you out and give some advice.
Please get in touch or come to one of our meetings.
The information on this website produced and distributed by the IWSN is of a general nature. We do our best to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, but cannot take any responsibility for any loss arising out of its use. You should not rely on it applying in your own circumstances and should always take further advice from those with appropriate qualifications.
Last updated August 2024.