I figure some people here have probably dealt with this sort of thing and can be helpful in providing some guidance and options.
I have a technician in his first year with us, plenty of industry experience, very good at his job. However, due to a combination of pre-existing condition and a work injury, he is on a no ladder work restriction until further notice. Resolution of the issue could take months, if ever resolved, with physical therapy involved and likely continued restrictions on his activity. The majority of our work is ladder work.
He is mentoring a trainee as well, and is basically pointing and having the trainee do the work right now unless it can be done on the ground. How have others dealt with a situation like this where a valued employee becomes severely limited, there is a commitment to them, but there is not a budget to deal with lost productivity of almost an entire employee and there doesnt seem to be an obvious reassignment that provides enough hours or value?