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ISSUE AT WORK - PLEASE ADVICE

Manjinder

Hi Folks

I have a full time office job and work 3 days in the office and 2 at home.

The manager gives me a lift to and from the office when we need to go in. However, since I am still recovering from Long Covid, I sometimes feel drowsy and nod off to sleep in his car when coming in the evening, when coming back from work. He is fully aware of this. I do not drive because of my symptoms.

However, from next month, management want us to come into the office 4 times a week. My manager said he cannot give me a lift 4 days a week but only 2, due to his other commitments. This means that I need to catch the bus on the other 2 days. Because of my symptoms, I am worried that I may nod off to sleep when coming back home and may miss my stop. I am getting anxious about this due to the coming winter months.

A few weeks ago, I expressed a preference to work 2 days in the office (when my manager can give me a lift there and back) and 3 days at home. However, this has been rejected even after presenting HR with a letter from the Rehabilitation Centre based in Selly Oak Birmingham (which I have visited twice).

Can someone advice how I can resolve this issue?

Who else can I approach for help in this matter?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

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Comments

Kimi87

You can ask for reasonable adjustments but the employer can refuse, stating it doesn't meet the needs of the business.

I'd recommend getting in touch with ACAS for advice.

https://www.acas.org.uk/

Manjinder

Many Thanks @Kimi87

Any further advice greatly appreciated

Kimi87

To follow proper process you should ask your employer for a referral to Occupational Therapy, and see what they end up recommending.

However it's the same situation, employer doesn't have to follow any recommendations made and can refuse.

The ME Association would be a good place to seek advice and information.

https://meassociation.org.uk/literature/items/employment-issues/

https://meassociation.org.uk/me-connect/

There is also the Access to Work scheme:

https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work

Bydand

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/138020/issue-at-work-please-advice

Hi,

As others have stated I would ask to be referred to occupational health.

This should benefit both the employer and yourself as the report generated can be used by both parties to fully understand any difficulties in relation to an illness or condition.

Although it does happen, it would be a brave employer too not accept the findings of an OH report as it can subsequently leave themselves open to legal challenges and employment tribunals.

It should be noted though that an employer can refuse reasonable adjustments for a wide variety of reasons, they must provide a detailed reason why they cannot should that be their stance, just saying that they can’t, or it is unfair to others isn’t enough.

Every reasonable adjustments or change to working practices is based on the needs of the individual.

But yes, get an OH referral and go from there

Manjinder

Hi Folks

Many thanks for your advice @Bydand and @Kimi87

I'm sorry if I didn't make this clear. I have no issues whilst working in the office. My issue is getting into the office.

As stated in my original post : Because of my symptoms, I am worried that I may nod off to sleep when coming back home and may miss my stop. I am getting anxious about this due to the coming winter months.

Kimi87

You did make yourself clear and our advice was given in that understanding.

We have given you routes to investigate getting reasonable adjustments which is what you are seeking - work from home 3 days a week due to your health condition.

Going through Occupational Health is proper procedure, and/or Access to Work might fund suitable transport (taxis) for the days you can't get a lift.

An Occupational Health report holds weight but as explained, isn't a guarantee your employer will agree.

ME is a very similar health condition so I linked to an employment rights resource and a general helpline.

Also ACAS linked in a previous reply.

Manjinder

Thanks @Kimi87

I appreciate you help … but you sound angry

Kimi87

Not angry, just wondering why you feel we didn't understand the OP and didn't give relevant advice, when we did on both counts.

Anyway, as I have no more advice to offer, I'll bow out and wish you luck getting the help you need at work.