Work Station Assessment and Provision of Suitable Equipment

lisa701

I need a bit of advice on whether my employers are trying it on or not.

After 4 years of suffering back pain at work and asking for a workstation assessment my employers have finally (albeit reluctantly) carried out assessments for my colleague and I. They have recommended we need different chairs as the standard ones do not offer anything in the way of lumbar support etc.

The thing is they have a standard chair for employees with back problems and I'm concerned it may not meet our individual needs. It seems they have picked one from our stationary suppliers and thats it, no opportunity for us to try one out beforehand, and it seems little come back should the new chair not resolve our problems.

We also have to obtain a letter from our GP's to say we need a different chair. I don't have an issue with getting one, just spent past 4 months going for various hospital tests to find the route cause of my constant pain. Means making an appointment for an examination and then my GP will charge me £30 for the letter.

Never known another employer do this before over a chair. Is it common or are they just being a little funny with us?

Your thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

Dogger69

You could ask for an occupational health referral, rather than supplying your own evidence? Or if impacting your ability to do the job the doctor may write such a recommendation on a fit note, which should be free?

A chair designed for people with back problems will be adjustable, the key is getting it in the right position for you. Again this is something OH should be able to assist with.

bap98189

I think I would be looking for a new job, your employer seems to care very little for their staff.

Yes, I do think they are being funny and unreasonable. If anyone complains about their chair in our office we tell them to find a more suitable one and then buy it. Most people working in an office spend 90% of their working day sitting in their chair. Spending £200 or so on a decent chair is a tiny expense compared to the costs if they develop back problems and end up off sick. And besides getting staff a decent chair is frankly the least we can do to make their working day easier.

RichardD1970

Have you tried out the new chair for any length of time to see if it helps, or are you just assuming that it will be no good?

As stated above a proper chair for back problems will be individually adjustable and it may just be a case of getting it right for you.

theoretica

So work aren't believing their own assessment? Did they say why not? Grumph!

I would want to try the new chair, but if you are more average sized than I this may not be a problem. Can you ask around yourself to find someone else who has one as it is standard kit? I had that problem myself - told work I wanted a chair that fit me, came back to my desk to find a new super adjustable chair that could not be adjusted to fit me as it was only designed for the average 90% or something. I do now have a chair that fits me and a colleague is happy with the adjustable one!

ohreally

Ordering ergonomic equipment from a catalogue is not a wise decision as the choice is very much personal - also you and your colleague may not require the same chair.

lisa701

RichardD1970 wrote: »

Have you tried out the new chair for any length of time to see if it helps, or are you just assuming that it will be no good?

As stated above a proper chair for back problems will be individually adjustable and it may just be a case of getting it right for you.

They won't order a new chair until I have provided a letter from my GP (still got to get an appointment!) but even then we don't get the chance to try it, its a case of thats your chair get on with it.

lisa701

Both of us argued that picking a chair from a book is impossible as you don't know what its like until you try it out. The chair I use at home was only £30 from IKEA but I can sit at my desk all day with no problems, so I cannot even say buying the most costly is best.

I will get the letter from my GP if thats what they want but I certainly won't be paying for it - if they want the letter they can pay!

Looks like we might both have a bit of a fight on our hands until we get what we need

2nd_Time_Lucky

lisa701 wrote: »

Both of us argued that picking a chair from a book is impossible as you don't know what its like until you try it out. The chair I use at home was only £30 from IKEA but I can sit at my desk all day with no problems, so I cannot even say buying the most costly is best.

I will get the letter from my GP if thats what they want but I certainly won't be paying for it - if they want the letter they can pay!

Looks like we might both have a bit of a fight on our hands until we get what we need

Perhaps I am missing something but if a letter is £30 to get authorisation for a new chair and you have a chair that fits you well that was only £30 from IKEA can't you just buy the chair and save yourself a lot of pain?

lisa701

Because the chair I have is 5 years old and no longer available in IKEA. Anyway we both suggested that and our employers told us that because the chair was not approved by them they would have to carry out a risk assessment first, and if anything happens to it (if it gets damaged, stolen etc.) they will not cover it.

Noops

Have you sought any treatment for your back problem? Physio/Chiro/Accupuncture?

My advice would be to cmmunicate in writing and keep copies of everything related to this issue. I had similar problems a couple of years ago and ended up taking legal action against my employer (and won!) Very, very similar circumstances to yours!