But Mr John, millions could be saved by cutting loose your FNDs

The latest Australia Post Staff Information Bulletin from Managing Director Graeme John, dated 18 September 2008, encourages employees to identify cost savings in the workplace and discuss any ideas you have with your manager.

Let’s start with the number of employees directed to Australia Post Facility Nominated Doctors (FNDs) by and large for the purpose of avoiding workers’ compensation claims and lost time injuries and the cost savings that could be made by eliminating this outrageous practice.

Over a period of two years between 2003 and 2005 there were 8,000 referrals to FNDs.  The cost of this service provided by the FNDs was $1.42 million! 

Answers to Senate Estimates questions below reveal the extent to which the rights of injured workers continue to be trampled by this FND scam.

Topic: Number of Employees Directed to Examinations by Company Doctors
Senator Lundy asked:

1.   Please specify the number of appointments booked for employees to attend Australia Post company doctors (known as Facility Nominated Doctors or FNDs) for all purposes by State and for Australia as a whole in the last financial year and to date for 2007/2008.

2.       Please specify the authority used or program under which these appointments were made – i.e. under section 57 of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, under Clause 10 of the Principal Determination, or under the Injury (Early Intervention) Management Programme – by State and for Australia as a whole in the last financial year and to date for 2007 / 2008.

Answer:

1. The numbers of appointments booked for employees to attend Facility Nominated Doctors for all purposes, by State and nationally, for 2006/2007 and year to date for 2007/2008 were as follows:

The authority/program under which these appointments were made, by State and nationally, for 2006/2007 and year to date for 2007/2008 were as follows:

Over a period of two years between 2006 and 2008 there were in excess of 8000 referrals to FNDs, the majority of them under Australia Post’s Injury Management (Early Intervention) Program, the cost of which would run into millions of dollars!