Help regarding reasonable adjustments

Joneedssupport

Hello All, I need some help and support. I've recently been diagnosed with osteoarthuritis in my shoulder which is currently affecting my mobility. I'm under the Orthopedic surgeons and also Physio to help me get movement back. I have to travel by train for 45 mins each way whilst carry my equipment which I'm unable todo at the moment. Gp has given me a fit note, saying can work with reasonable adjustments ie work feom home. Now my fit note expired 3/3/26 but work are telling me I need to be back in the office by 12/02/26 so the 45 min train journey, 20 mins walk to office all while carrying laptop etc. I don't know what to do, I can't brush my own hair, shower myself or put a bra on currently as I can't use my arm which is also my dominant arm. Please does anyone have advice?. Thank you Jo

Joneedssupport

I forgot to add I have asked for reasonable adjustments to work from home or local office where I can be driven too, picked up from. They have told me I cannot work from local office and I can't work from home after 12/2/26 despite medical advice stating different. I'm at my wits end and HR are no help, she said they don't need to do reasonable adjustments. My own manager works from home full time so I don't understand what the issue is.

Kimi87

Legality you can ask for reasonable adjustments, but the employers don't have to agree.

I'd recommend speaking to ACAS, who can advise you of your rights and the proper process that by law your employer has to follow.

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

Rosie_Scope

That sounds really difficult @Joneedssupport, sorry to hear you're facing that.

Like Kimi, I would recommend speaking to ACAS to see if they can help you.

Have you had an occupational health assessment?

There's a bit of advice and information on the Scope website in case that's helpful to you: https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/reasonable-adjustments-at-work#If-your-employer-rejects-your-adjustments-or-is-not-doing-enough-click

Joneedssupport

Thank you for your advice Rosie_scope and Kimo87 I have letters from GP, surgeon and physio but they are not willing to accept or tell me why they won't do reasonable adjustments. My own manager works from home full time. I've asked for OH but they said even if they do an assessment they don't have to accept their recommendations. I just feel helpless and that they are forcing me out of my job that I love.

AlexMit

Hi Jo! Have you tried making a statutory request for flexible working? The business will be required to consult with you, and can only decline the request if there is a 'genuine business reason' not to, including:

• the burden of additional costs
• an inability to reorganise work amongst existing staff
• an inability to recruit additional staff
• a detrimental impact on quality
• a detrimental impact on performance
• a detrimental effect on ability to meet customer demand
• insufficient work available for the periods the employee proposes to work
• planned structural changes to the employer's business

I'm having trouble including a link, but I would recommend reading the information on ACAS around statutory flexible working requests.

I hope this may help!

Alex

Joneedssupport

Hi Alex, I haven't put in a flexible working requesy as I wasn't aware of it. However, since you have mentioned it here i have looked and my employer has a process to follow to do this.,

I will be submitting this request to them now, thank you so much Alex.

AlexMit

My pleasure, I hope it works for you ☺️

SheffieldMan1976

I've been saying for years that reasonable adjustments are a complete and utter con, because what's reasonable is open to interpretation at the employer's discretion, which almost never benefits the potential employee.