Hook and Comcare [2020] AATA 1792 (17 June 2020).
Key Points:
- The Tribunal was asked to decide whether an employee sustained
a bulging disc in his neck as a result of his employment at a
Centrelink call centre.
- The Tribunal found in favour of Comcare.
Background:
Mr Nathan Hook was employed by the Department of Human Services
in Brisbane, in a child support smart centre. In order to complete
his work duties, Mr Hook was required to answer phone calls while
looking at more than one computer screen and moving his head to
make notes on a notepad on his desk. On 13 August 2018, Mr Hook
answered a phone call when he turned his head to the left, in order
to make notes. Mr Hook felt pain in his upper arm and neck. On 28
August 2018, Mr Hook completed a claim for workers'
compensation in respect of "injured neck/shoulder and left
arm".
