Reasonable Adjustments in the workplace

UHDBsharon10

Hi,
My name is Sharon and I have been appointed as Disability Advisor in a Hospital trust. can I ask, what are your experiences with reasonable adjustments in the workplace, good or bad. This will help me develop management guides and policies to assist our disabled staff to be able to do their jobs and thrive at work.
Thank you

janer1967

Hi and welcome to the community 

I worked in hr for over 30 years so have come across lots of dealings with RA

Employees have bit of misconception at times and expect any request to be honoured without considering if the request is actually reasonable or in fact achievable 

Oh sometimes have very little understanding of the tasks required by the employee to complete so give unrealistic recommendations 

There must be a fair and consistent policy , process to follow and all management trained in that process and for consistency a sign off process eg panel or hr sign off 

Make sure any union are aware of the process 

Involve employees in the guides for maximum engagement 

Just a few to get you started 

janer1967

I would also research some other companies policies to compare and get ideas 

UHDBsharon10

Hi janer1967,

Many thanks for this, I am also the chair for the staff network ThisAbility & Long Term Conditions Staff Support Network. I make sure I run everything by them. our process for referral to OH is easy enough but for some managers when they are advised to make recommendations or get equipment they have no idea on what to do. I am hoping to simplify the process from that point. I will be looking at companies who provide equipment as well. I have some staff waiting two years for equipment because of managers arguing who will pay for it.   

janer1967

Your welcome 

Do you ever use access to work for funding equipment sometimes can be a great source of funding but it's the employee that has to apply and I think the process can be a bit daunting 

UHDBsharon10

Yes, I am going through the process myself for a headset where I don't have to take my hearing aids out.
There is also a huge backlog from AtW I am trying to get a central funding pot for the organisation but finances are very stretched in the NHS so doubtful that will happen.

Dani_A_01000011

Hi,

I've had many adjustments made but I'm still struggling with the people/ways of working/communication aspects. I am autistic, have ADHD, anxiety, depression. Autism and ADHD are recent diagnosis. 

I come at this from a neurodiversity/mental health perspective rather than physical disabilty. 

Simple accommodations like weekly planning meetings and a workplace buddy are overlooked. As are creating simple communication documents for frequent questions and processes. A checklist could help keep someone on track and relieve anxiety about things being missed.

Support I have:
- Flexible compressed hours
- Weds and Weekends off
- Work from home
- Part of disability network

I used Exceptional Individuals to support me and process my Access to Work request. They did my workplace assessment, provided coaching, workplace awareness training and purchased tech on my behalf.

I found going through Exceptional Individuals much less stressful than dealing with DWP directly. A lot of the team are nerodivergent themselves so getting that understanding of myself and learning terminology helped me a great deal.

My accessibility needs and career development needs keep being lumped into one and it's quite traumatic to see my memory, communication etc. needs developing. It would be more beneficial identifying what support is available but also having a document that can help others understand how they can help e.g. summarise meetings, actions in bullet points, follow up meetings to clarify understandings...

I've just come across the Health Ability Passport from RCN and that looks helpful 
https://www.rcn.org.uk/get-help/member-support-services/peer-support-services/health-ability-passport#:~:text=A health ability passport is a document completed by an,at work to assist them.

Alex_Alumni

Hello @Dani_A_01000011 and thank you for sharing your own experience of workplace adjustments with @UHDBsharon10

Having clearer guidelines on your adjustments for your employers or those who support you in the role is definitely a great idea, as is clear communication!

The 'Health Ability Passport' from the Royal College of Nursing does indeed look like a useful framework to share with employers. I particularly like the inclusion of the social model of disability

For anyone who'd like to find out more, Exceptional Individuals is a social enterprise, which provides neurodiversity consulting, recruitment and employment support to employers and individuals with dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and autism. 

Cartini

Hi @UHDBsharon10,

Before I was prescribed Amitriptyline, my sleep pattern was atrocious. It was that bad that I was falling asleep at my desk in the early afternoon.

I asked for, and was granted, a reasonable adjustment allowing me to start and finish work early.  I now start work at 06:00 and finish at 14:00.  I`m sleeping better now I`m on Amitriptyline, but I`m still working the same pattern because it`s beneficial for my employer.

Andy

L_Volunteer

Thanks for sharing your experiences @Cartini. I am sure your experiences will be beneficial for our community members experiencing similar things.

How are you feeling working this pattern at the moment? We are here for you too if you need anything, even if that's just a listening ear 

Wibbles

UHDBsharon10 said:

Hi,
My name is Sharon and I have been appointed as Disability Advisor in a Hospital trust. can I ask, what are your experiences with reasonable adjustments in the workplace, good or bad. This will help me develop management guides and policies to assist our disabled staff to be able to do their jobs and thrive at work.
Thank you

You may need to speak with trades unions
So be prepared 

UHDBsharon10

Thank you for all your advice and comments, it is really helpful and i am working hard to make sure the whole process is easier for our staff.

Karen7788

I requested reasonable adjustments at work and got all of them without question. plus more that I didn’t ask for. Equipment, a chair, I did some research and chose my own, small frequent breaks, flexible hours with some working at home and the full support of my colleagues.
Our management have an open door policy and we’re all very open when discussing issues, I honestly can’t fault them. 

Alex_Alumni

That's great to hear @Karen7788 and a shame that not all workplaces are like yours, but hopefully if we can build awareness, change will happen!

Hugo51

I got reasonable adjustments eventually after a prolonged experience which exacabated my condition 
employer at first refused till got OH report which recommended most  my requests really anyway 
They could of saved themselves time and money agreeing with me in first place 

L_Volunteer

It sounds really positive that you got reasonable adjustments @Hugo51. Though, I can hear this was not without a fight and it exacerbated your condition. 

I can hear how listening to you would have potentially saved time and money. How are you finding things at the moment?

I hope things are well with you. If we can do anything to help though, please don't hesitate to let us know. We are all here for you and listening to you 

delight2107

UHDBsharon10 said:

Hi,
My name is Sharon and I have been appointed as Disability Advisor in a Hospital trust. can I ask, what are your experiences with reasonable adjustments in the workplace, good or bad. This will help me develop management guides and policies to assist our disabled staff to be able to do their jobs and thrive at work.
Thank you

Thank you Sharon. I work for nhs and manager view oh reasonable adjustments only as advisories, tell me
my colleagues are dissatisfied and want us all to be treated equally. I have contacted hr and now have to complete a form 'reasonable adjustment checklist' and go to a meeting but my union rep said I need to tread carefully as they don't have to agree and not to talk myself out of a job which could happen? Unable to contact E&D team as they will only get involved if flexible working application done but hr said I do not need? Upset and worried struggling now mentally??

UHDBsharon10

Hi Delight2107,

I am so sorry you are going through this, but sadly not surprised. Do you belong to a union as I strongly suggest you should join one. you could also speak to your freedom to speak up guardian. your organisation has a duty to follow the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty. By not offering reasonable adjustments, you would have a strong case at an industrial tribunal.
Take care and let me know how you get on

delight2107

Hi Sharon since becoming disabled last March 21 I have been working from home and going to office 3 hours per week, but now I am told my colleagues are dissatisfied and the management want to bring me back gradually but I just can't do it, they say reas adj are just advisories. Union said they don't have to make changes. My E&D team will not support or engage until flexibility working submitted but HR said not necessary. Union said we need to negotiate but I could end up with no job and the need to tread carefully and it goes to tribunal by this time I will nit be working for them? Thanks for replying Sharon

janer1967

@UHDBsharon10 just wanted to advise that employers do NOT have to agree to RA they do however have to consider them and give a valid reason why they are not able to accommodate them of which there can be many valid reasons eg cost , adaptions to property , any valid b6siness reason 

@delight2107 I replied to your other post just to add have you had a look at acas website for advice or contact them 

It is bit early to be thinking of tribunal you will need to appeal the decision first and exhaust all options of resolving this with the company 

UHDBsharon10

@janer1967 I agree they do NOT have to agree to RA but would have to have very valid strong reasons not to.