RSI, desk assessment - what are my rights?

bigfoot2010

I'm struggling with my wrists - looks like I might have RSI. Awaiting results of a scan.

Doctor and physio have both said I need to get a desk assessment through work via an occupational therapist. They say this is responsibility of employer. I've not been able to organise one myself.

We recently had a Desk Assessment Survey sent round work which I filled in and requested an assessment (never had one in 10 years with current employer). A month later I heard nothing.

I escalated the issue this morning and they have asked me to provide doctors note to prove requirement.

I don't have a problem with this but would rather not waste the doctors time.

What are my rights here? Isn't this something an employer should offer no quibbles?

thanks

LadyMissA

bigfoot2010 wrote: »

I'm struggling with my wrists - looks like I might have RSI. Awaiting results of a scan.

Doctor and physio have both said I need to get a desk assessment through work via an occupational therapist. They say this is responsibility of employer. I've not been able to organise one myself.

We recently had a Desk Assessment Survey sent round work which I filled in and requested an assessment (never had one in 10 years with current employer). A month later I heard nothing.

I escalated the issue this morning and they have asked me to provide doctors note to prove requirement.

I don't have a problem with this but would rather not waste the doctors time.

What are my rights here? Isn't this something an employer should offer no quibbles?

thanks

A doctors letter could cost £10-£20 why should you have to pay

What are you asking work for?

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg36.pdf

SarEl

A DSE is often a paper based exercise. If you have special requirements for health reasons it isn't at all strange for them to ask for this to be clarified. If the doctor says that there is a charge then you tell the employer and they will have to sort that out.

bigfoot2010

hi

I am expecting work to get an external professional person to assess my seating position and advise of any potential issues that could be contributing to my RSI.

I can't believe they want a doctors referral. It just seems they have no procedure for this at all.

thanks

teajug

Give Access to Work a ring and they will do the assessment for you and will make recommendations as well for employer to supply what you need. Is it a large employer ?

bigfoot2010

bout 100 employees world wide - so not particularly large.

thanks

dickydonkin

Your condition may not be as serious as RSI but may be just discomfort caused by static pressure which could be remedied by the provision of a wrist rest or a more suitable mouse - hopefully that is the case.

Unfortunately, your situation is quite common where an employer believes he has conformed to DSE regulations by asking their staff to fill in a 'self assessment' then 'file' the documents without taking any notice of the concerns of their staff or the findings from the 'assessment'.

Many problems can be easily resolved such as adjusting seating or the height of a workstation, but with small enterprises in particular, there will likely be no member of staff who will have the expertise to be able to evaluate and act on the findings.

OP - you really need to sort out your situation and ask yourself - can you afford not to work in the future should your condition deteriorate or is left untreated?

If it costs a few quid to get a doctors note, then I would suggest you pay it and worry about the reimbursement at a later date.

What price do you put on your health?

teajug

bigfoot2010 wrote: »

bout 100 employees world wide - so not particularly large.

thanks

Give them a ring and say what your GP has told you

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Employmentsupport/WorkSchemesAndProgrammes/DG_4000347

TeaForOne

Your GP could write you a fit note (used to be a sick note) saying he has examined you and you are fit to work with certain restrictions and he advises that an occupational health advisor (not an occupational therapist) makes a workplace assessment. He doesn't need to charge you £12 for a letter.