Is my workplace discriminating against me?

loubeelou

Hello, looking for advice please. Is it possible workplace discrimination? I recently suffered an ankle injury, suspected tendon rupture, awaiting MRI to confirm diagnosis and treatment, possibly surgical. 

I have to wear a moonboot currently for walking but I can use my stairs at home to go up/down one step at a time. Initially the H&S at my workplace moved me downstairs which I was grateful of because I was unable to use the stairs safely within the first few weeks of the injury and wearing the boot. 

Fast forward 13 weeks post injury and I am now confident coming down stairs 1 step at a time with the boot still on. H&S are still not allowing me to go back to my office upstairs due to wearing the boot and potentially in the event of a fire I couldn't use the lift to get down. I have requested a review of the current situation but have been ignored and then heard through a colleague that they will not let me back upstairs whilst I have the boot on. I have been told by my healthcare provider to potentially expect to need some sort of walking aid permanently due to the possible severity of the injury. In which case I may have to wear the boot or similar for the foreseeable. 

At this time I do feel I am being discriminated against as I am able to use a stairs and they have a lift available which I've been told I can use once I don't have the boot on and can come downstairs reasonably. I have seen 2 other employees who have had recent knee surgeries coming down the stairs holding onto railings and in a worse state than me, but yet I'm not allowed to. I understand in the event of a fire I could be slower but no slower than these other employees and no greater risk. I am also not able to apply for another job within the company, which I was going to do prior to getting injured due to the office for this job being upstairs. 

Any advice/guidance would be appreciated. Thank you.

Jimm_Alumni

Hi @loubeelou, I'm sorry to hear about your situation   It's always hard coming back from an injury and I imagine this probably makes you feel excluded in some way. 

I don't have the information to answer your question now but I will try to find some. I'm also going to move this to our work and employment section so it's more visible to those with that knowledge set

jgound

I understand where you coming from regarding the others but you having a boot on really does make a difference for health and safety reasons 1 in the event of a fire it will slow you down 2 if your boot gets caught on the stairs and you fall if anything did happen to you what would your family say who would be to blame the company they only protecting you and their self.
Ive had one of them boots on for 12 weeks before and I’ve also had knee replacements and stairs were easier after the knee replacements.
Dont feel like your being discriminated against you not it’s for your own safety and to protect the company from being sued.

Take care and I hope you get the boot of soon and you can get back to normal.

Sandy_123

Hi @loubeelou welcome to the forum, ouch that sounds painful. When is your mri? Hope its soon and then you can get to know what's going on.
I too don't think it's discrimination  with your work place they have put measures in so you can still do your job. Which is really good of them I think, also may be temporary, until you get sorted. Hopefully you will know more when you have your tests and seen surgeons if needed.

chiarieds

I agree with the others above. It's almost, you might feel, back to front in that your workplace are trying to ensure your safety, so where's the discrimination? Sorry, just playing Devil's advocate, & trying to look at both sides.

Also hope things may improve, tho know that tendon injuries can take as long to heal as fractures, if not longer. Just speaking from my own personal experience, & that of being a long retired physio.