On June 13, 2025, UPE met and conferred with Merced County Department of Human Services about changes to Operations Directive #26 – a policy regarding what to do if you're injured on the job.
For this directive, if you get hurt at work, you should report it right away to your supervisor and call the Company Nurse for medical triage or 911. If you can't or don't want to call, your supervisor will call for you. If medical treatment is needed, you will be sent to the County's approved doctor, unless you already have a personal physician on file with Risk Management.
If you're injured and do not want treatment, you may need to complete the Declination - Employee Incident Report. If you're seeking treatment or missing work, you may need to fill out the DWC 1 Workers' Comp Claim Form. After seeing a doctor, you should turn in the required documentation to management. These forms should be submitted within 24 hours, but the department assured UPE that if an employee is unable to meet that deadline, they will be allowed to submit them as soon as they are able. Your supervisor will also complete their own report and submit it to Personnel. If any job accommodation is needed, a special form will be handled through Personnel and your supervisor.
Your safety is a top priority for UPE. If you have questions or need help with this process, reach out to your union rep right away. We're here to support you.
UPE WOULD LIKE TO THANK UPE MERCED COUNTY UNIT THREE GOVERNING BOARD MEMBERS LISA SYKES FOR THEIR ADVOCACY AND PARTICIPATION.
