Back problems at work

rachie_2011

I'm not sure if this is really the right place to post this but here goes...

My mother works within a job role that is customer facing, and works behind what you could call a reception area. The company has recently made a lot of redundancies and cutbacks, so everyone’s job roles have had to change also to accommodate the recent losses. Along with these changes, the main greeting/reception area is changing. Instead of a desk, this is now being changed to a freestanding computer where the member/customer will stand with you and look at the computer.

The only issue my Mother has with this though is that she will now have to stand at all times that she is on the front desk, and will only be able to sit down during her lunch break. She suffers from bad backs at the best of times, and is now worrying that being stood up for such long periods of time is going to make it even worse.

This message is a little vague, perhaps, but what would you recommend that she does? Write a letter to her manager stating that she is concerned with her back so at least it’s on record?

magenta22

Is there an HR person that she can speak to? If she has back problems I would imagine that they will allow her to sit down, they won't want the whole H&S implications.

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

Firstly - do the company know about her back problem? Is she having treatment for back pain? The employer really should do a risk assessment

rachie_2011

Yes, they are aware as she's had problems in the past and had time off work due to it.

I've suggested that she requests a risk assessment of the new work space, as with that the VDU would need to be set too. Another issue is that this work station is going to be used by another member of staff (my Mother works part time, so as part of a job share someone else covers the other two days of the week). So it would need to be set up for each time my Mother, or the other member of staff, used the VDU.

Do you think a letter from the doctor should be requested too, so she could at least have it on her file?

nlw_2

I've had the same problem, I worked on a busy reception desk where I had to stand constantly for 8 hours. I have flat feet so I am in constant pain with my knee due to my leg being out of balance. I explained this to my manager who kindly bought 2 stools for the reception area, on the agreement that when a person came to the desk I would hop off the stool. Maybe if she reminds them of her condition they will put something in place for her.

louise3965

One of my colleagues had a bad back and work bought a standing stool for her so it looked like she was standing, but really she wasnt!

ohreally

rachie_2011 wrote: »

She suffers from bad backs

How many does she have?

dickydonkin

louise3965 wrote: »

One of my colleagues had a bad back and work bought a standing stool for her so it looked like she was standing, but really she wasnt!

And why not request the employer purchases an anti-fatigue mat that may help as well? - These can help where prolonged standing is required.

As someone pointed out earlier, the workstation needs to be assessed - not only for your mothers pre - existing condition - but also the fact that there has been a significant change in operations.

A risk assessment is one thing - but they are only as good as the person doing them and how far the employer will go to implement any recommendations - although with DSE/workstation assessments, these are usually in the form of questionnaires.

She certainly needs to remind her employer of her condition to avoid exacerbating the condition.