Refused flexible working and reasonable adjustments

travelferret

I have requested flexible working and reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act due to extreme GAD.
I’ve worked for my employer for over 5 years, the last two in a London based role, working mainly from home in the North West, with regular monthly visits to the office.

My employer recently introduced a new hybrid working policy stating two days a week in the London office is now compulsory. Living over 200 miles away makes this impossible for me.

over the past six months, the stress of the situation has severely exacerbated by GAD symptoms. I tried to do the two days a week but the costs have put me at a detriment financially and this, coupled with the worry of losing my job and exhaustion from all of the travel, has meant I’m now off sick.

My appeal has been refused. (I requested to continue my two days monthly London office visits, plus extra for training and urgent meetings, and to work from our local office two days a week instead).

They have offered me my old job back, (at a lower pay grade with less favourable working conditions), so basically a demotion, and that’s about it.

I believe I have a case for tribunal. Can anyone please advise?

Kimi87

An employee has the right to ask for working adjustments, but legally the employer doesn't have to agree.

I would recommend speaking to ACAS for further advice.

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

Chris75_

I am just giving an opinion, but presumably you took this job during or around the Covid pandemic, when home working in many sectors became the norm?

If an employer now expects employees to spend more time in the office, are they not within their rights to do so?

Other members with knowledge of employment law may have advice to offer you.

travelferret

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1096465#Comment_1096465

Hi, no, I began this role in 2023.
Employers are indeed within their rights to introduce a new policy, but I believe my condition is covered under the Equality Act and as such, they should endeavour to accept a request for reasonable adjustments. Offering a demotion with a significant reduction in pay is not a reasonable adjustment.

I may not be in the right place for advice here, I thought I’d ask as there are similar posts from people in similar situations.

I have contacted ACAS also..

Chris75_

I would check back in later today, there are a few members that might have a better idea.

travelferret

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1096471#Comment_1096471

thankyou!