Workplace health issue

picasso2

Hi, have had a quick look through your thread after a busy shift so sorry if i'm repeating.

Are your managers aware of their responsibilities under the disability discrimination act ? (DDA). You don't have to be registered disabled for this to apply to you , you may perhaps have a broken leg and require a buffet or wrist pain when using a keyboard requiring a special support. Basically they have to make workplace adjustments to alow you to do your job. Our workplace does special assessments for those seated at a desk all day and will provide required equipment. (probably scared of getting sued (SP) for RSI etc ).

I have time to attend opas in working hours , many people already do but i felt so guilty as i was going weekly at one point , they said it was worth it to keep me at work , plus it was work related illness.

I know your managers are being ar**s but might be worth looking into.

TheMidnightOwl

picasso2 wrote: »

Hi, have had a quick look through your thread after a busy shift so sorry if i'm repeating.

Are your managers aware of their responsibilities under the disability discrimination act ? (DDA). You don't have to be registered disabled for this to apply to you , you may perhaps have a broken leg and require a buffet or wrist pain when using a keyboard requiring a special support. Basically they have to make workplace adjustments to alow you to do your job. Our workplace does special assessments for those seated at a desk all day and will provide required equipment. (probably scared of getting sued (SP) for RSI etc ).

I have time to attend opas in working hours , many people already do but i felt so guilty as i was going weekly at one point , they said it was worth it to keep me at work , plus it was work related illness.

I know your managers are being ar**s but might be worth looking into.

Thank you for your post.. i will look into it

onlyforboards_2

My guess is you will need to explain to your management what is it about a blanket that makes it the most suitable option for you. To the outside it seems very reasonable to suggest other approaches, you need to make it clear exactly why they do not suit you.

TheMidnightOwl

onlyforboards wrote: »

My guess is you will need to explain to your management what is it about a blanket that makes it the most suitable option for you. To the outside it seems very reasonable to suggest other approaches, you need to make it clear exactly why they do not suit you.

i havent even been approached as to why i need it.. just been dismissed and told to wait for a decision without even being heard

robredz

TheMidnightOwl wrote: »

i havent even been approached as to why i need it.. just been dismissed and told to wait for a decision without even being heard

It may be worth looking at ACAS here:

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1859

and Directgov here:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/RightsAndObligations/DisabilityRights/DG_4001068

as the employer may be in breach of the DDA, and the blanket a "reasonable adjustment" to allow you to work effectively. If this is so, and you were to be penalised disciplined or dismissed you would likely win at a tribunal.

TheMidnightOwl

Thank you so much.. will have a look.. failing that will give them a call in the morning.. appreciate the advice and help

ceridwen

TheMidnightOwl wrote: »

i havent even been approached as to why i need it.. just been dismissed and told to wait for a decision without even being heard

I'm a bit confused here.

I thought they were "getting at you" about the blanket - but you still have the job. You say here that you have "just been dismissed".

When did the dismissal occur? Was the second telling-off about the blanket phrased as "get your things and go - you are dismissed" and you are awaiting the result of a personal appeal to the person in charge to see whether you can come back to work or really are sacked on the one hand. Or was the second telling-off just a telling-off? I cant quite follow whats happening on this...

Anyways - good luck today and tell us what happens.

Zazen999

I think the query was dismissed, not the OP - if so perhaps that would have been mentioned earlier. If that is the case; then we've all wasted our time as it is a completely different problem.

stebiz

Zazen999 wrote: »

I think the query was dismissed, not the OP

Yes, that is how I read it too.

Stebiz

robredz

I think the OP meant the request to continue using the blanket was dismissed, if she has actually been dismissed then it would be contacting CAB, ACAS and others, to ground unfair dismissal, and in all probability a successful claim for disability discrimination, and failure of the employer to make "reasonable adjustments" (use of blanket) to the workstation They may try to say that the blanket breaches some company rule or policy, but the medical evidence should trump this. We can but conjecture until the OP comes back.