My supervisors not concerned about my health!

Middy

I am normally put on a till in a very drafty area of the store - next to an exit, near the chillers and under an air vent that blows cold air all the time. I have a weak chest due to constant severe chest infections as a child. The cold makes my chest hurt and me short of breath. Just under 2 years ago, I was diagnosed with asthma.

I ask very nicely to my supervisors can I change tills with another colleague and they say no. I don't mind working on self scan behind the till in question as I am moving about and not in the full brunt of the cold air vent all the time. The other colleagues don't have a particular till they work on.

I am getting worried that my health is at risk here. I cannot afford being off sick. I had an asthma health check last month at the doctors and my lung capacity was reduced by 5% in the past year, despite losing weight. Do I have any rights? Is there anything I can do? I don't mind working on there for 2-3 hours max and no more. I saw one schedule for this week and I am on there for 7.5 hours!

So far, I have not phoned in sick due to this.

aggypanthus

put your request in writing to a manager, they have to look out for your needs. your supervisor is not taking you seriously, go further up.

DUTR

What reasons are they not giving for the change? Perhaps you should raise it with the manager ?

alyth

I'd take it further - but do it politely. I work weekends in a supermarket so I understand where you are coming from. We used to be just put on random tills but a while ago policy was changed and we were allocated a specific till for our shift and hell broke out...... I always remember one particular woman who I hadn't realised this, had panic attacks so couldn't be put on one of what we call the top tills - the busier ones as she got stressed out about it.

Some of our tills are the same as your work place, under vents - and some are busier than other due to the aisles that they are situated near (alcohol!).

So I do think you are within your rights to ask to be moved, but don't make a massive fuss out of it - don't do it in public, the more accommodating you are, the more accommodating your employers will be. Good luck

purple.sarah

Can your Dr write a letter for your employer? They might be taken more seriously. Are you a member of a union?

Emmzi

ask for an occ health referal

Mara69

Stage a sit in at the till of your choice.

Sambucus_Nigra

Your original post looks to me like the basis for a letter to HR.

WhiteHorse

Middy wrote: »

Just under 2 years ago, I was diagnosed with asthma.

I ask very nicely to my supervisors can I change tills with another colleague and they say no.

The other colleagues don't have a particular till they work on.

I had an asthma health check last month at the doctors and my lung capacity was reduced by 5% in the past year ...

I saw one schedule for this week and I am on there for 7.5 hours.

There's your case, point by point. Put it in writing to the store manager.

dickydonkin

As others have already commented, a written letter to your manager or HR department is the way forward. It is not an unreasonable request and can easily be accommodated.

Explain your medical condition and concerns in a polite manner and they hopefully will respond favourably.

I have noticed at my local Tesco that staff who work at the tills near the entrances and fridges are provided with fleeces, however, it seems that based on your post you have respiratory issues that may not be remedied by the provision another layer of clothing.

It really is in their own interest to resolve this.

Middy

Thanks for the replies. I will ask my supervisors nicely that I am willing to work on that till for a few hours maximum. I will explain that during the past 7-10 days, I have noticed my breathing has become difficult and used my inhaler more times this week since my diagnosis. I also mention that I had no problems with my breathing on those days that I am not on that till for hours on end. At least I am skilled in 3 other areas of the checkout dept - self scan, trollies and kiosk.

I don't feel a letter is a good idea unless its from my GP as it looks more formal and going to act upon it more than a letter from me containing the same info. I will try to visit my GP either this Friday or next Monday/Tuesday about my asthma and ask if he can write to my manager/HR manager if he believes sitting at this till in question makes my health worse.

I am wearing 4 layers on top - vest, t-shirt, work top and fleece jacket and two on the legs - leggings and work trousers. I am wearing a scarf and fingerless gloves.