Doctor's Note Cost (Face Mask)

Grumpy_chap

AuntyJean said:

PS he is 62 - no alternative job options

What does he do?

mobilejo

AuntyJean said:

Hi all,

Need advice for my partner who has returned to work and has been advised he has to wear a face mask for 8 hours per day.  He has asthma (on medication from GP) and breathing difficulties (the ‘company nurse’ referred him to his GP who referred him to hospital for tests but no actual diagnosis ever provided – the work medical records show he has the lungs of a 90yr old).

 A H&S officer provided him with a shield as an alternative which he is comfortable with. However, they are saying that he can no longer wear the shield and must wear a mask?

What can he do to avoid this? It is stressing him out? He has to see nurse again tomorrow.

 

Asthma is on the list of conditions that can be a physical impairment covered by the Disability Discrimination Act, if it has "a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities". (Source: https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/understanding-equality-act-information-disabled-students)

Asking your partner with asthma to wear a mask for 8 hours a day could potentially put him at a severe disadvantage as he may struggle to breath. If that is the case, the employer must make reasonable adjustments that enable him to work without being unable to breath!

If he cannot wear a mask, then a reasonable adjustment could be going back to asking him to wear the visor.

sweetsand

mobilejo said:

AuntyJean said:

Hi all,

Need advice for my partner who has returned to work and has been advised he has to wear a face mask for 8 hours per day.  He has asthma (on medication from GP) and breathing difficulties (the ‘company nurse’ referred him to his GP who referred him to hospital for tests but no actual diagnosis ever provided – the work medical records show he has the lungs of a 90yr old).

 A H&S officer provided him with a shield as an alternative which he is comfortable with. However, they are saying that he can no longer wear the shield and must wear a mask?

What can he do to avoid this? It is stressing him out? He has to see nurse again tomorrow.

 

Asthma is on the list of conditions that can be a physical impairment covered by the Disability Discrimination Act, if it has "a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities". (Source: https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/understanding-equality-act-information-disabled-students)

Asking your partner with asthma to wear a mask for 8 hours a day could potentially put him at a severe disadvantage as he may struggle to breath. If that is the case, the employer must make reasonable adjustments that enable him to work without being unable to breath!

If he cannot wear a mask, then a reasonable adjustment could be going back to asking him to wear the visor.

Agreed. Shop workers are exemept unless working closely with other staff and customers but most are but most still do not wear a mask.
A face shield will help.
Astham and 8 hours of mask is a big no.
As another has stated, company doctor

ATB

[Deleted User]

AuntyJean said:

PS he is 62 - no alternative job options

Course there is. I know loads of people that have changed jobs at similar ages.