Heaters being banned at work

picklechu

Hello everyone

i have worked in my current job for 5 years and 2 years ago developed raynauds which means my fingers go numb when cold. i already had a heater at my desk as did many other colleagues because we find the office cold. Some people have fans and open winows so it is a big battle.

however they have now said we are not to use heaters anymore and nothing has been said about using fans or windows. i have told them of my condition but they are now asking me lots of questions and saying i need to have meetings with them because i want to use a heater.

have i got a right to use a heater with my condition so i can do my job? the only other option i can think is to leave or they will get rid of me because i will have to do less work.

Thankyou for any help.

chrisv24

yep you have a right to do use your heater. If the condition gets worse because you couldn't use the heater you could make an injury claim against them.

So yes, you have a right to use that heater! I run an injury claims site so I know what Im talking about.

Jox

Can you get a note from your doctor recommending a heater for you?

I think it is outrageous that they should make this an issue for you.

Go to the meetings and stand up for yourself.

System

chrisv24 wrote: »

I run an injury claims site so I know what Im talking about.

Maybe you ought read up on the Equality Act and what is considered reasonable adjustment.

No employee has the RIGHT to use thier own heater in the workplace regardless of any medical condition. The employer MAY provide a company purchased and serviced/tested one.

HappyMJ

picklechu wrote: »

Hello everyone

i have worked in my current job for 5 years and 2 years ago developed raynauds which means my fingers go numb when cold. i already had a heater at my desk as did many other colleagues because we find the office cold. Some people have fans and open winows so it is a big battle.

however they have now said we are not to use heaters anymore and nothing has been said about using fans or windows. i have told them of my condition but they are now asking me lots of questions and saying i need to have meetings with them because i want to use a heater.

have i got a right to use a heater with my condition so i can do my job? the only other option i can think is to leave or they will get rid of me because i will have to do less work.

Thankyou for any help.

Considering a heater only costs the company 12 pence per hour per person if you have it on the low 1kW setting then compared to your wages it's not much. I'd offer them the 12p/hour if you want to keep your job and prevent others from being annoyed that you can have a heater and others can't. If they still refuse the heater then go to your GP to get a note. That'll cost them much more than 12p/hour.

Another option if they are worried about cost might be an electric overblanket you can put over your legs whilst seated. They are rated at less than 100W and cost about a penny per hour to run.

System

Have you had an assessment in work with recommendations for changes that are needed.

picklechu

!!!!!! wrote: »

Maybe you ought read up on the Equality Act and what is considered reasonable adjustment.

No employee has the RIGHT to use thier own heater in the workplace regardless of any medical condition. The employer MAY provide a company purchased and serviced/tested one.

Could you point me to the right parts of the act so i can see what it says please?

I already have a self purchased/company tested one as the company had already given out so many to my colleagues they said i couldn't have one.

picklechu

HappyMJ wrote: »

Considering a heater only costs the company 12 pence per hour per person

I'd pay but think they're claiming its the air conditioning that's getting mucked up (again i think this would apply to windows and fans). The truth is more likely that someone senior has moaned they are to hot!

System

picklechu wrote: »

Could you point me to the right parts of the act so i can see what it says please?

Reasonable adjustment is what has been decided/agreed after assessment by somebody like occ health in discussion with the company and possibly you

HappyMJ

picklechu wrote: »

I'd pay but think they're claiming its the air conditioning that's getting mucked up (again i think this would apply to windows and fans). The truth is more likely that someone senior has moaned they are to hot!

It could be someone near the thermostat who has an electric fan heater and the area where they are is very warm so the thermostat turns off the main central heating and everyone else is cold except for the person next to the thermostat who is nice and warm. I'd like to see their reasoning. You said you had cold hands could you get something just to keep your hands warm rather than the space around you?

picklechu

HappyMJ wrote: »

It could be someone near the thermostat who has an electric fan heater and the area where they are is very warm so the thermostat turns off the main central heating and everyone else is cold except for the person next to the thermostat who is nice and warm. I'd like to see their reasoning. You said you had cold hands could you get something just to keep your hands warm rather than the space around you?

Where is the thermostat? Is it where you control the temperature?

well hands and feet but theres not many things i can use while being able to type and do mouse work as it's the tips of my fingers that need warming.