Reasonable Adjustments in the workplace

wifeforlife

Hi I was just wondering had anybody been through the process of getting reasonable adjustments in the workplace

My employer organised an access to work occupational therapist to visit me at work and assess my work space - the OT then sent a report advising of the changes required for me. I received this on 2nd October and sent it to my manager.

None of the adjustments have been ordered as yet, and I'm asking each day about how long it will take. I'm still attending work as I'd been off for some time prior but it's really taking a lot out of me, and it's exacerbating my physical issues

I was wondering how long is reasonable for them to make the changes? What more can I do other than ask them each day, I really feel like a moan, my line manager just keeps saying she's done what she needs to and it's above her now

Any advice would be gratefully received

sangie595

There is no definition of what reasonable means- it depends on every individual circumstance and can only be determined by an employment tribunal. Just because something has been recommended does not mean the employer must provide it / do it; and how long that takes isn't something that can be dictated.


Your only option is to raise a grievance about the time it is taking. Are you in a union?

wifeforlife

sangie595 wrote: »

There is no definition of what reasonable means- it depends on every individual circumstance and can only be determined by an employment tribunal. Just because something has been recommended does not mean the employer must provide it / do it; and how long that takes isn't something that can be dictated.


Your only option is to raise a grievance about the time it is taking. Are you in a union?

Thank you so much - yes I'm in a union, I did speak to a local rep casually about it last week in our canteen but he said it was a pity I was already back to work (I'd been off for 4 months sick) as I should have stayed off until it was done but I had to come back to get the assessment and I was physically good to return.

I'm really good at my job so I didn't want to stay off when I'd got well again. I've reduced my hours also from full time to part time due to my condition so I've done as much as I can that's in my control.

The main thing is the chair I sit on, I've no upper lumbar support at all and I go home in agony each day, driving home is an issue, when I get home I take strong painkillers which is making me more tired and it's affecting my home life

sangie595

Then you need to go back to the union and get them to intervene - a grievance if that is what they suggest.

TELLIT01

Although specialist chairs can take time to source, 6 weeks still seems excessive. You do need to get the union involved and advise your manager that the chair you are currently using is affecting your health, and the ability to do your job.
It's not a case that your employer isn't doing anything, more that the people obtaining the chair don't seem to have it as much of a priority.

wifeforlife

TELLIT01 wrote: »

Although specialist chairs can take time to source, 6 weeks still seems excessive. You do need to get the union involved and advise your manager that the chair you are currently using is affecting your health, and the ability to do your job.
It's not a case that your employer isn't doing anything, more that the people obtaining the chair don't seem to have it as much of a priority.

In fairness yes they're putting everything in place it is just the time it's taking. The OT provided all costs and supplier of the specific chair so it's all there. I personally think the problem is getting anyone to take ownership of it and do it, as you say it's not a priority for them but unfortunately it is for me.

When I'm in work I like a degree of confidentiality of how badly I'm affected so I do put a face on things but it doesn't mean I'm not feeling the pain

I'm off today but back tomorrow so I wanted to get some advice before asking again, even asking about it makes me feel awkward and needy

Manxman_in_exile

I had a lot of time off work with back problems 20 years ago. We had a dedicated "ergonomic" assessment officer and they recommended a change of both chair and desk. Had them within two weeks. The chair was nothing to look at but was extremely supportive. Did the trick but apparently was relatively expensive.


But I worked for the NHS. Are you in the public or private sector? As sangie suggests, keep pressing your employer - but there is no "reasonable" time scale.


In the short term, a NHS phsio recommended a book to me "How to Look after your back" by a NZ physio called Robin(?) McKenzie. (Forgive me if I'm mistaken - but I presume you have, at least, a back problem?).


The book is v.good, but it also introduced me to a product called a McKenzie Roll (a portable lumbar support). I've got three of them: one I used in the office (before the super chair arrived!); one at home; and one in the car (indispensable!).


They used to sell them in Halfords, of all places, but I've not seen them in there for a while. You could make your own.


Apologies if your back problems are more severe than mine.

wifeforlife

Manxman_in_exile wrote: »

I had a lot of time off work with back problems 20 years ago. We had a dedicated "ergonomic" assessment officer and they recommended a change of both chair and desk. Had them within two weeks. The chair was nothing to look at but was extremely supportive. Did the trick but apparently was relatively expensive.


But I worked for the NHS. Are you in the public or private sector? As sangie suggests, keep pressing your employer - but there is no "reasonable" time scale.


In the short term, a NHS phsio recommended a book to me "How to Look after your back" by a NZ physio called Robin(?) McKenzie. (Forgive me if I'm mistaken - but I presume you have, at least, a back problem?).


The book is v.good, but it also introduced me to a product called a McKenzie Roll (a portable lumbar support). I've got three of them: one I used in the office (before the super chair arrived!); one at home; and one in the car (indispensable!).


They used to sell them in Halfords, of all places, but I've not seen them in there for a while. You could make your own.


Apologies if your back problems are more severe than mine.

I'm in public sector, desk bound job. I've fibromyalgia and a constant burning feeling across my upper back and shoulders, my current chair when I sit on it hits my lower back but doesn't touch any other part of my back no matter how far I try to adjust the chair, so I'm just perched throughout the day on the seat pad

The chair would be the one thing that would make the most difference, there will be a new electric desk, smaller keypad, electric hole punch etc provided and I'm more than happy to wait but the chair I'd buy it myself if I could get it tomorrow

I'll do a quick search for the McKenzie roll, I do buy quite a lot of things, any relief is always welcome

Manxman_in_exile

Public sector? No excuse for them not to get it sorted earlier then. One of your managers ought(?) to be clearly responsible to sort this out.


I had a colleague in a neighbouring trust with the same (I think) complaint. I know he was in considerable discomfort (if not severe pain) most of the time. And he had a much more expensive chair than me!


From what you say, I doubt a McKenzie roll would help. It's really designed to give lumbar support. Doesn't sound as if that is your issue. Do research them though

lulu650

wifeforlife wrote: »

.....I'd been off for 4 months sick.....

I'm really good at my job so I didn't want to stay off when I'd got well again. I've reduced my hours also from full time to part time due to my condition so I've done as much as I can that's in my control.

The main thing is the chair I sit on, I've no upper lumbar support at all and I go home in agony each day, driving home is an issue, when I get home I take strong painkillers which is making me more tired and it's affecting my home life

I feel your pain, but this is completely unacceptable.

Can you not email/speak to whoever your line manager reports to or use inhouse HR to tell them of your current difficulties? In your situation I'd be emailing HR, copy in the line manager, state the problem and asking for a timeframe for your new chair. The last thing you or your employer want is for you to go off sick again and it wouldn't hurt to say that.

theoretica

I think it is exactly right that you need someone to take charge of this. My suggestion is that you pick who you want this person to be. Rather than contacting lots of people, who may all think or hope someone else is dealing with it, call one person and choose someone you know to be efficient.