Disability and employer not providing equipment needed to do job

shopndrop

I am currently working part-time (been with same employer for over 10 years) and have recently been diagnosed as having a disability and needing some specialist equipment to enable me to do my job easily. (Occ Health are fully aware of my condition and needs.) This was agreed at a risk assessment almost 3 months ago and I still do not have any equipment.

It now transpires that it is difficult to get what I need. Today I have been told that they have done all they can within reason to obtain said items but are unable to.

I cannot continue as I am without this equipment as lack of it is affecting my ability to do my job properly.

I am not sure where I go from here. Do I have to hand my notice in or will they make me redundant or retire me on medical grounds. I am in my early 50's if that makes any difference.

Jarndyce

The obligation on the employer is to make reasonable adjustments - if they cannot obtain equipment or only at disproportionate cost then they are not obliged to do so (you may have read recently about the deaf government diplomat who was sacked because the cost of providing an interpreter abroad was too great).

Whatever you do, do not resign. Do you have a union that can help you? If it is a question only of delay, you could be put on paid leave while they sort it or look at alternatives.

Ultimately, if there is no solution, they could let you go on a compromise agreement (with a bit of extra money) rather than dismiss you, but I hope it won't come to that.

Emmzi

there are a few H&S bods around here who may know of suppliers if you are ok to share what equipment you need?

shopndrop

I need a keyboard with all keys, but need the keys to be larger than normal. Most of them are either larger keys but do not have all keys or they are large print.

I have found one but it is sold is US$ and my employer will only purchase in UK £.

teajug

There many keyborad for sale on the web with large keys, have you seen the company's OHA for their recommendations. Also get Access to Work involved give them a ring for their recommendations as well (you may have done this already, if you have, what recommiendation did they make.

Links with large keyboards for sale.....

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=keyboard+with+large+keys&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=abv&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1138&bih=493&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=6604974913871094462&sa=X&ei=OVaVTpTVBsKx8QPh0uT0Bg&ved=0CG0Q8wIwAA

http://www.keyboardspecialists.co.uk/shop/bigkeyskeyboards/?gclid=CLKy58Li4qsCFZMhtAodOFFYMw

http://www.keyboardspecialists.co.uk/shop/shopbytypedisabilitykeyboards/

http://www.bigkeys.co.uk/plus_technical.asp

ShaneUK

Are you able to post a link to the US$ one please, so that we can try and find a similar one for UK?

Emmzi

honestly for under £50 I'd go to amazon and buy one myself. There is no point risking your health on a point of principle. Morally right? no. Pragmatic? yes.

Jarndyce

shopndrop wrote: »

I need a keyboard with all keys, but need the keys to be larger than normal. Most of them are either larger keys but do not have all keys or they are large print.

I have found one but it is sold is US$ and my employer will only purchase in UK £.

Why? I don't think that would stand up as a good enough reason not to implement an otherwise reasonable adjustment.

paulwf

If they purchase it on the company credit/debit card then they will be buying it in UK pounds as the bank will convert it. It's not like they have to open a US bank account and fill it with dollars to enable them to buy something from the US!

As others have said though maybe you just have to bite the bullet and buy it yourself. Company purchasing departments can be a right pain but you don't want to lose your job just because of their policies.

Racheldevon

Hi,

Have you had an access to work assessment to recommend particular equipment?

I can only speak from my own experiences of needing equipment to do my role, but you can request an assessment from Access to Work. In My case an Occupational Therapist came and carried out an assessment, and wrote a detailed report to my employer, with a clear list of equipment, and local/UK suppliers that stock it.

Best of Luck

Judith_W

Could you arrange for them to reimburse if you purchase, you could buy it from US on your UK CC, this would show a UK £ value which you could then submit as expenses?