Disclosing personal medical info

TheGardener

Part of a small building I (and several colleagues) work in is designated a 'restroom area'. It is an area that also houses a stockroom but has a bathroom and a kitchen area. We have always left personal belongings in this area - it is secure, and only workers in this building have access (obviously, none of us would leave high-value items here as it's a shared space). We have recently been told we are no longer able to leave personal belongings in this area although it remains a restroom area - no reason given - but the direction is that we are to leave our bags in another building about 3 or 4 minutes walk away.  
One of my colleagues is very distressed about this change. He has a low-grade medical condition that has left him with a minor continence issue and he keeps an emergency change of clothing and clean-up supplies in his bag. Having to disclose this information - which has zero impact on his ability to work is stressing him out to the point he is considering leaving. He takes no more bathroom breaks than anyone else. 
He needs no 'adjustments' to his workplace and as I say - the issue has zero impact on his ability to do his job. Should he be forced to disclose this personal issue to management to get an 'adjustment' to enable him to continue to keep his personal bag in the restroom area? We are all a bit bemused as to why the rules have been changed - we are all unaware of any incidents but we do have a new manager who seems to like to 'shake things up' a bit. 
Any advice? 

lincroft1710

Have any of you asked the reason for the change?


Can your colleague not explain that he may need quick access to his bag for medical reasons but not disclose too much detail? But I think if management make an exception for him, other staff members may think they should also be allowed to put their bags there

Marcon

TheGardener said:

Part of a small building I (and several colleagues) work in is designated a 'restroom area'. It is an area that also houses a stockroom but has a bathroom and a kitchen area. We have always left personal belongings in this area - it is secure, and only workers in this building have access (obviously, none of us would leave high-value items here as it's a shared space). We have recently been told we are no longer able to leave personal belongings in this area although it remains a restroom area - no reason given - but the direction is that we are to leave our bags in another building about 3 or 4 minutes walk away.  
One of my colleagues is very distressed about this change. He has a low-grade medical condition that has left him with a minor continence issue and he keeps an emergency change of clothing and clean-up supplies in his bag. Having to disclose this information - which has zero impact on his ability to work is stressing him out to the point he is considering leaving. He takes no more bathroom breaks than anyone else. 
He needs no 'adjustments' to his workplace and as I say - the issue has zero impact on his ability to do his job. Should he be forced to disclose this personal issue to management to get an 'adjustment' to enable him to continue to keep his personal bag in the restroom area? We are all a bit bemused as to why the rules have been changed - we are all unaware of any incidents but we do have a new manager who seems to like to 'shake things up' a bit. 
Any advice? 

If your colleague isn't worried about colleagues knowing about his condition, why does telling 'management' give him such an issue? Sounds like a brief conversation which is highly likely to result in the outcome he needs - sometimes in life facing up to something which feels like a major deal turns out to be a non-event. If he can't face doing it, then possibly you could have a word on his behalf?

TheGardener

Marcon said:

TheGardener said:

Part of a small building I (and several colleagues) work in is designated a 'restroom area'. It is an area that also houses a stockroom but has a bathroom and a kitchen area. We have always left personal belongings in this area - it is secure, and only workers in this building have access (obviously, none of us would leave high-value items here as it's a shared space). We have recently been told we are no longer able to leave personal belongings in this area although it remains a restroom area - no reason given - but the direction is that we are to leave our bags in another building about 3 or 4 minutes walk away.  
One of my colleagues is very distressed about this change. He has a low-grade medical condition that has left him with a minor continence issue and he keeps an emergency change of clothing and clean-up supplies in his bag. Having to disclose this information - which has zero impact on his ability to work is stressing him out to the point he is considering leaving. He takes no more bathroom breaks than anyone else. 
He needs no 'adjustments' to his workplace and as I say - the issue has zero impact on his ability to do his job. Should he be forced to disclose this personal issue to management to get an 'adjustment' to enable him to continue to keep his personal bag in the restroom area? We are all a bit bemused as to why the rules have been changed - we are all unaware of any incidents but we do have a new manager who seems to like to 'shake things up' a bit. 
Any advice? 

If your colleague isn't worried about colleagues knowing about his condition, why does telling 'management' give him such an issue? Sounds like a brief conversation which is highly likely to result in the outcome he needs - sometimes in life facing up to something which feels like a major deal turns out to be a non-event. If he can't face doing it, then possibly you could have a word on his behalf?

Well he is worried - I should have mentioned perhaps that the colleague is a neighbour and I knew he'd been ill but the rest of the workforce doesn't - it's a dignity thing. If he was allowed to keep his bag there other colleagues would understandably ask why - he really doesn't want anyone else to know, and more to the point, he shouldn't have to explain to anyone. 
As for why the change - yes, we have all asked in a team meeting and were not given a reason - just that it was 'company policy' (but no policy document has been provided) and it is true other people who work in the main building have lockers and are expected to use them but the point it that their lockers are in a restroom area with a bathroom (and there is access to stock rooms there too) We have to walk through a public area to get to the staff area part of the main building. The question really is should he have to disclose a personal health issue that has no impact on his ability to do the job. 

theoretica

If you want an exception or alteration you need some reason.  What about menstrual supplies? 

TheGardener

theoretica said:

If you want an exception or alteration you need some reason.  What about menstrual supplies? 

Not sure a 40 year old bloke would be able to use that as a reason...However, He doesn't want an exception or alteration - he just wants to keep his bag where it has been kept for the past 11 years so if he needs to, he can do what he needs to do without fuss or scrutiny. We can still use the loo in our building - but if he has to traipse across to the main building while in need of a 'clean up' it will set him apart and draw attention to things. 

theoretica

He does want an alteration - to the new rule.

I meant menstrual supplies for other people of course - if your work is putting in a rule that would be a particular nuisance for women that might be a useful argument for nearby lockers for everyone.

Marcon

TheGardener said:

Marcon said:

TheGardener said:

Part of a small building I (and several colleagues) work in is designated a 'restroom area'. It is an area that also houses a stockroom but has a bathroom and a kitchen area. We have always left personal belongings in this area - it is secure, and only workers in this building have access (obviously, none of us would leave high-value items here as it's a shared space). We have recently been told we are no longer able to leave personal belongings in this area although it remains a restroom area - no reason given - but the direction is that we are to leave our bags in another building about 3 or 4 minutes walk away.  
One of my colleagues is very distressed about this change. He has a low-grade medical condition that has left him with a minor continence issue and he keeps an emergency change of clothing and clean-up supplies in his bag. Having to disclose this information - which has zero impact on his ability to work is stressing him out to the point he is considering leaving. He takes no more bathroom breaks than anyone else. 
He needs no 'adjustments' to his workplace and as I say - the issue has zero impact on his ability to do his job. Should he be forced to disclose this personal issue to management to get an 'adjustment' to enable him to continue to keep his personal bag in the restroom area? We are all a bit bemused as to why the rules have been changed - we are all unaware of any incidents but we do have a new manager who seems to like to 'shake things up' a bit. 
Any advice? 

If your colleague isn't worried about colleagues knowing about his condition, why does telling 'management' give him such an issue? Sounds like a brief conversation which is highly likely to result in the outcome he needs - sometimes in life facing up to something which feels like a major deal turns out to be a non-event. If he can't face doing it, then possibly you could have a word on his behalf?

Well he is worried - I should have mentioned perhaps that the colleague is a neighbour and I knew he'd been ill but the rest of the workforce doesn't - it's a dignity thing. If he was allowed to keep his bag there other colleagues would understandably ask why - he really doesn't want anyone else to know, and more to the point, he shouldn't have to explain to anyone. 

Completely understand the 'dignity' thing, but if he wants special treatment (and that's what he does want), he has to accept that others will want to know why. A vague reference to 'medical needs' should suffice, at least for his colleagues. Management is a different issue; they have every right to know if someone has a medical condition which necessitates a particular concession.

TheGardener

It's so frustrating - it's a petty rule with no real purpose that any of us can see.  No one should be obliged to make a medical condition public knowledge (it's a small workplace and everyone will know if they have to make an allowance for him) when it has no relevance to the job. Not being able to keep a bag in the restroom area is bizarre. And if this 'concession' related to his ability to do his job then I'd understand but this just seems like change for change's sake when no change was needed - just a way to flex a new manager's muscles. None of us want all our stuff over in the main building - if it's cold/raining we'll all get soaked/frozen walking across a large yard without our coats (yep - coats have to be in lockers too) All this talk in the world of dignity and equality for those with a 'hidden' disability but in the end - no one really cares if the whole workplace knows your personal business.
@theoretica : the members of the team that need those products are already mutinous because they've been told the company will provide those products in the bathroom so they don't need to bring their own...as you can imagine - that hasn't gone down well either. Apparently, the items to be provided will be whatever the procurement team (all male) chooses to supply - not the brands or types of products the people who need them use or want...
It is also the case that these rules, although they apply to the staff in the main building too - do not have any impact on those colleagues as their lockers are in the restroom area. 

TBagpuss

It does sound very frustrating - he can ask to be permitted to leave the bag there and explain that it is a request made for medical reasons however as I understand it employers are allowed to ask for some medical information to assess what a reasonable accommodation looks like. Your co-worker might be able to ask his GP to provide a letter which says he needs to be able to have a small bag available within easy reach for medical reasons, without setting out why, although I appreciate that that might result in him being the exception to the rule, although if anyone did ask then he isn't under any obligation to explain.

IS there anyone more senior who you might be able to speak to about the change in policy to ask for a review?

You don't have to 'out' your coworker  give details why but (if there are any women on the them) could point out that it would create issues for menstruating women who might need somewhere close by to store sanitary products and changes of clothing (leakage is a thing) and for anyone who might have issues with bladder control which could include anyone who prostate issues, anyone with a ostomy bag or similar , anyone with diabetes who may need to keep snacks. medication close to hand - perhaps point out that there are a lot of reasons why it's important to have quick access, some of which people may be embarrassed to raise, and that if there is a valid reason for not storing personal items there it would be useful to know what that is and what arrangements are being made to address the concerns you've raised about potential for sexual or disability discrimination. 

Marcon

TheGardener said:

It's so frustrating - it's a petty rule with no real purpose that any of us can see.  No one should be obliged to make a medical condition public knowledge (it's a small workplace and everyone will know if they have to make an allowance for him) when it has no relevance to the job. Not being able to keep a bag in the restroom area is bizarre. And if this 'concession' related to his ability to do his job then I'd understand but this just seems like change for change's sake when no change was needed - just a way to flex a new manager's muscles. None of us want all our stuff over in the main building - if it's cold/raining we'll all get soaked/frozen walking across a large yard without our coats (yep - coats have to be in lockers too) All this talk in the world of dignity and equality for those with a 'hidden' disability but in the end - no one really cares if the whole workplace knows your personal business.
@theoretica : the members of the team that need those products are already mutinous because they've been told the company will provide those products in the bathroom so they don't need to bring their own...as you can imagine - that hasn't gone down well either. Apparently, the items to be provided will be whatever the procurement team (all male) chooses to supply - not the brands or types of products the people who need them use or want...
It is also the case that these rules, although they apply to the staff in the main building too - do not have any impact on those colleagues as their lockers are in the restroom area. 

I presume there is a reason why you can't have lockers in your restroom area...or is there? Might it be worth doing a bit of research to find something suitably sized/not too expensive and presenting management with a 'solution' rather than a complaint or problem?