expensing medical checkup and treatmant due to RSI

[BBBLondon]

Hi,

Last week I experienced serious RSI-like symptoms (which was probably induced by increased programming workload I have experienced recently).

I took a private medical blood test and a private check up with a rheumatologist. The cost totalled £700.

I am wondering what is the legality of expensing this to my ltd, since the RSI has probably (in fact almost surely) resulted from my workload as an IT contractor?

Thanks!

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

Reimbursements for employees private medical bills are treated as earnings and need to be taxed via PAYE unless the treatment is exempt.

Exempt treatments are here:

https://www.gov.uk/expenses-and-bene...t/whats-exempt

At a stretch you could argue it is a work-related injury but I would imagine you'd need some evidence of this if you had an enquiry.

[BlasterBates]

I suffered from RSI many years ago, it wasn't bad but definitely getting worse, I was simply told by specialist to ensure my wrists rested on the desk when I typed, and then got better. I used to have the keyboard at the front of the desk so my hands were always under tension. I now have the keyboard further forward and rest my arms on the desk.

Worth looking at your sitting position and the way you type, it can make a world of difference.

[VectraMan]

I used to suffer. When I started using a natural keyboard it helped a lot, as did when I started using the mouse left handed. For a few gigs I'd take along my own MS natural keyboard with a "property of me" sticker on the back, unless that is they were prepared to provide one, though I imagine a few places might be a bit difficult.

More recently I discovered doing stretching exercises, and have had pretty much zero problems since. RSI's one of those things that unless you've had it you don't understand. It's pretty unpleasant and certainly there were a few occasions it was getting bad enough that I was thinking "oh tulip I'm not going to be able to work".

As for "work place injury" it's not like something fell on you. It was all in your control, and as using a computer is your area of expertise it's going to be hard to argue that it's the client's fault.

Perhaps you could claim off your own insurance...

[ladymuck]

A friend of mine used to be a H&S officer for a large company and had to manage claims by employees for RSI. They had to show that reasonable measures had been taken to educate staff on safe ways of working - like many of the tips shared above. Proving YourCo was negligent and therefore liable for the injury is going to be very difficult.

However, you can buy things through YourCo to help alleviate the symptoms. If you work from home a lot you should invest in a good quality chair, change your keyboard and mouse to those that are more ergonomically designed, etc.

[SueEllen]

For some reason I did a role that involved the Display Screen Regulations (DSE) and since then have asked assessors about their work. This is because just before and when the regulations came out lots of companies had to make large settlements with staff for RSI related injuries. I've also met two guys who were crippled by RSI. One had to get out of IT and while the other managed his symptoms.

Anyway if your clientCo is a large or even a medium sized enterprise they will normally make you to a self learning web module on the DSE. If you are identified as having problems you then have a one to one assessment OR will have to ask for things yourself. You are entitled to ask for a different chair, foot rest, monitor platform, laptop dock, different keyboard, wrist rest or different mouse to enable you to set up your workstation properly. You are also allowed to ask them to move your desk up so you have sufficient room. It is then up to you to ensure you take a break every hour to ensure you don't have symptoms.

Unfortunately some companies that do these modules pay lip service to the DSE and take months to get the equipment in. In that case make a request and buy your own.

You need to remember Health and Safety Regulations are based on a mixture of you the worker taking responsibility as well as the employer taking responsibility. While as a contractor the entity you work through is ultimately your employer, the HSE use other bits of legislation to ensure the company on-site you work for cannot wiggle out of their responsibilities e.g. The management of Health and Safety regulations.

Anyway this is link to useful HSE guidance on how you can decrease and relieve symptoms. linky

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

A friend of mine used to be a H&S officer for a large company and had to manage claims by employees for RSI. They had to show that reasonable measures had been taken to educate staff on safe ways of working - like many of the tips shared above. Proving YourCo was negligent and therefore liable for the injury is going to be very difficult.

However, you can buy things through YourCo to help alleviate the symptoms. If you work from home a lot you should invest in a good quality chair, change your keyboard and mouse to those that are more ergonomically designed, etc.

I agree with this. Rather than trying to make a fairly tenuous claim to recover your medical bills (which seem excessive to me and you'd only be saving the tax), get YourCo to buy the furniture and hardware you need to do your job comfortably.

I don't know if some people are just more prone to it or it's a case of poor posture, but I've never had a serious problem with RSI and I spend most of my working day at a keyboard. A good chair (I have an Aeron) that is adjusted correctly and a comfortable keyboard should be all that you need to alleviate your symptoms. Also look at your typing technique.

[perplexed]

I agree with this. Rather than trying to make a fairly tenuous claim to recover your medical bills (which seem excessive to me and you'd only be saving the tax), get YourCo to buy the furniture and hardware you need to do your job comfortably.

I don't know if some people are just more prone to it or it's a case of poor posture, but I've never had a serious problem with RSI and I spend most of my working day at a keyboard. A good chair (I have an Aeron) that is adjusted correctly and a comfortable keyboard should be all that you need to alleviate your symptoms. Also look at your typing technique.

A mate had carpal tunnel syndrome, ended up having surgery - fairly quick he was saying, they cut a ligament. Problems cleared up fairly quickly, within months.

[SueEllen]

I agree with this. Rather than trying to make a fairly tenuous claim to recover your medical bills (which seem excessive to me and you'd only be saving the tax), get YourCo to buy the furniture and hardware you need to do your job comfortably.

I don't know if some people are just more prone to it or it's a case of poor posture, but I've never had a serious problem with RSI and I spend most of my working day at a keyboard. A good chair (I have an Aeron) that is adjusted correctly and a comfortable keyboard should be all that you need to alleviate your symptoms. Also look at your typing technique.

Some people are genetically prone to joint and muscle problems/illnesses but a lot of it is environmental. In other words whether you are prone or not you need to take care when using electronic devices not just computers at work.

So all those idiots you see dumb walking are not doing themselves any favours for a lot of reasons.

[BrilloPad]

Was it in your wrist? You can claim if you can prove the expense was incurred entirely for business. For if you have not used your wrist for anything personal you will be fine.