Reasonable adjustments and additional workload

Monkey_Shine

Hi all,

Please be kind, I'm new here and have got myself in a right state over this situation.

I became disabled in 2022 and informed my employer. They are a large company and HR was brilliant in organising occupational health and access to work etc.

In September 2023 Access to work approved a grant and informed my employer of the reasonable adjustments they were required to make, which the HR department were happy with and started organising.

I got sent some items which were included in the RA, and then the other RA were for software to be installed on my computer (with training for me to learn how to use it) so I can listen instead of read and also transcribe and it can type for me. This would help me so much.

So my employer were on the reasonable adjustments and I have kept chasing them and the IT team who are apparently working on it but I just keep getting responses that they are chasing and then nothing.

Now, my manager called me today and informed me that someone is leaving and they want me to take on her workload (seriously, it's another full time job). And I tried to explain to him that I'm already treading water without my reasonable adjustments but even so, it's unmanageable.

He basically said it might just be something I have to put up with for a few months.

Additionally, I am allowed to work from home full time instead of 3 days per week in the office, as I cannot sit for long in an office chair (and travel etc) but during calls and work events my manager (who is new to managing but always been part of my team) keeps asking when I am coming back into the office and that everyone else has to. So he really hasn't been empathetic or understanding at all.

So I'm wondering 2 things;

1- I can't see there is a time limit for reasonable adjustments to be made. When does it class as disability discrimination?

2- Is it ok for employers to hand big workloads to you while waiting such a long time for a reasonable adjustment?

All this stress is just making me worse. I've almost gone off sick multiple times this month and I may well have to now.

Thanks in advance.

TomZee

You are welcome here and feeling stressed out is pretty common. I do not know your detailed needs but a reasonable adjustment does not go away just because it has not been provided.

Am I right in thinking they have not provided you with software such a dictatation/voice navigation software? I do, personally, think it is unreasonable to expect you to take on extra workload without this and it would be extra justification to get their act together and move quickly.

In my experience the ideal in the workplace is not possible. Do you have an alternative solution to put to them regarding addressing the extra workload? Could you cope in the short term with all the RA in place etc.?

I think you need to make it clear you are not working at home due to Covid but as an adjustment for your disability agreed with HR. It strikes me you manager does not appreciate this is the best way for the company to get to utilise your skills.

If you are not already doing so using windows 11 voice access is a stop gap but other software such as dragon is much better. All may need it support admin rights.

A lot of these are communication matters and not just a matter of HR policies and legal rights.

Finally it is ok feeling stressed per se :)

Just my views if they help.

HappyDays62

Go back to your new manager with your original contract (or I would go via HR) and show them what you signed up for. I'm guessing there's nothing in there that states you will take over someone else's workload alongside your own, so it is definitely not acceptable for your manager to try to offload it onto you. They seem very inexperienced in terms of contractual obligations and disability protocols, and it is tantamount to bullying; speak to HR about that.

It may be that you have agreed to work collegially - and as part of a team could help out a bit if necessary (in the job spec) until a replacement is recruited.

In terms of RA, they need to get that sorted asap, as it is impacting on both your ability to do your job and your mental health. This is discriminatory.

If your contract was altered to include the work-from-home policy, this will help, but if it has not been agreed in writing or at an appraisal, you may need to have further discussions with HR and your manager to get it formally agreed.

In the meantime, keep hassling for an accessible workspace. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. In other words, it will be easier for them to act on what has been agreed than to keep putting it off and having to deal with constant requests from you. Best of luck.

Catherine21

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/130634/reasonable-adjustments-and-additional-workload

Welcome just came on to say sorry your going through this can imagine the stress

Pickle72

Hello,

I also just came to say that I’m so sorry that you are going through so much unnecessary stress.
Perhaps you could make an appointment to speak with the occupational health team. They may formulate a plan to keep those reasonable adjustments in place and would probably not appreciate the added workload that your manager has dreamed up for you.

Good luck with everything. Some people just do not understand how to manage. They need to be shown by people who know more.

Albus_Scope

Hey there @Monkey_Shine welcome to the community.

That does sound like a difficult situation to be stuck in, I'm so sorry. It does sound like they're dragging their heels with your RAs, which is very unfair to you. I know first hand how important they can be to help manage your workload and mental health.
If your new manager keeps talking about getting you into the office, just ask them to refer to their copy of your reasonable adjustments. I'm guessing it'll all be written in there?

It might be worth speaking to someone at ACAS, they're employment law specialists and will be able to advise on timelines, workload etc. I really hope this can get sorted out asap for you!

luvpink

@Monkey_Shine

Hi welcome to the community.

Very sorry you are going through all this stress.