How can I get the adjustments I need to work full time? — Scope | Disability forum
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How can I get the adjustments I need to work full time?

helen_73
helen_73 Community member Posts: 1 Listener
edited November 2018 in Work and employment
Hi everyone. I have mobility challenges so struggle to stand or sit for long periods.
I have chronic pain syndrome, fibromyalgia and some of the issues that comes with fibro such as fatigue, burning pain and brain fog, along with spinal osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, spondylosis, cervical herniated disc and cervical spondylosis.  Plus additional conditions.

I'm currently attempting to work full time but for the 2nd time since I returned to employment this company is also taking time to get the adjustments i desperately need put in place to help me. Which is causing me increased pain and mobility problems. I find this is extremely disheartening when I'd so love to work. but, feel for the 2nd time in a year since I managed to get out of my wheelchair that I was in for 7 yrs that it (being able to work) just isn't going to work out as my body just isn't up for waiting so in the meantime my sick days from work are increasingly rapidly. Ok, enough disheartening stuff.

A bit about me: I love to laugh and try to be as positive as I can though at times this is extremely difficult. I love music, adore animals, hate seeing people or animals treated badly. Love helping people when I can, I'm extremely caring (or a soppy sod as I'm called at home lol) I'm hoping that there's people in this group or can help and if possible I can help them too also, to meet other people who understand my daily struggle as I feel very much alone.

Comments

  • steve51
    steve51 Community member Posts: 7,153 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @helen_73

    “Welcome” it’s great ? to meet you today.

    “Yes Yes Yes”

    Your story to date is identical to my “Patient Journey”

    Please please let me know if there’s anything that I can “help/support” you with ????

  • thespiceman
    thespiceman Community member Posts: 6,388 Disability Gamechanger
    Hello @helen_73 Pleased to meet you welcome.

    Thank you for joining and sharing.

    You have come to the right place for support, advice and friendship.

    We as a community are here to help and here to listen.

    I like your positivity . I hope if you want to know anything. Some one from our community will advise.

    Remember you not alone.

    Pleasure to meet you.

    Please take care

    @thespiceman
    Community Champion
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  • JennysDad
    JennysDad Community member Posts: 2,299 Disability Gamechanger
    Lovely to 'meet you' @helen_73 and I add my own welcome to our community. You might find it interesting/useful to have a look at our 'Dealing with chronic pain' thread, have a read through some of the discussions and - if you feel up to it - pitch in.
    Some very lovely people here and a lot of very good advice and support.
    Warmest best wishes to you,
    @JennysDad
  • Sam_Alumni
    Sam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,671 Disability Gamechanger
    The Equality Act 2010 requires an employer to make reasonable adjustments to enable a disabled person to work. This builds on the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).
     
    These reasonable adjustments may be to the recruitment process or to your work once you’ve started. Many reasonable adjustments cost little or nothing and can make a big difference to disabled employees.
     
    If there are reasonable adjustments which would allow you to carry on working, ask for them. If you’re not sure what these might be, Access to Work grants can pay for specialist assessments, as well as paying for recommended adjustments. 
     
    You can ask for reasonable adjustments even before you have started a new job.


    Scope
    Senior online community officer
  • helen73
    helen73 Community member Posts: 11 Courageous
    @Username_removed yes I am asking as a disabled person no they've no union.
    @Sam_Scope I told them about adjustments on telephone interview, then in the interview and  again at welcome day before first day also regularly since then but all I get told is these things take time. I've put a claim in with access to work recently as well problem is I'm really struggling in the meantime and part of me is worried that they are taking there time on purpose and so I suffer and end up leaving either that or they just don't care. All this time off and increase in my pain levels is really making me feel extremely low, frustrated and like a failure ?? as by ending up off sick I'm not bringing the money in that we desperately need. My mood past few days just feel like crying all the time ended up having to leave work early yesterday due to pain I was in broke down in tears at work just so embarrassed and missing out on valuable training. I just don't know what to do for the best anymore? 
  • Sam_Alumni
    Sam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,671 Disability Gamechanger
    Oh that is so sad @helen73 :( 

    It might be worth chatting with our helpline on 0808 800 3333 
    Scope
    Senior online community officer
  • helen73
    helen73 Community member Posts: 11 Courageous
    Even taken a note in from my doctor who actually wanted to sign me off work but in the note she stated some of my conditions and said that I need adjustments putting in place as soon as possible due to the lack of adjustments currently causing my conditions to flare up and now causing coccydynia and my chiropractor is concerned about  me showing signs of periformis syndrome. I just want help I also took in a seat pad for my chair to try and help that massages and heats up etc I was told that I can't use it until it's pat tested that was nearly 2 weeks ago. So I've now bought a gel seat pad but have to wait for it to arrive in the meantime I'm suffering and stuck I just don't understand why everything takes so long even pat testing my seat pad is taking forever.??
  • Mwila_Scope
    Mwila_Scope Scope Posts: 52 Pioneering
    edited November 2018
    Hi @helen73

    Thank you for your post and welcome to the online community 

    Sorry to hear that you are having a difficult time trying to get the necessary adjustments to enable you to do your job to the best of your ability.

    As @Sam_Scope mentioned, the Equality Act 2010, requires an employer to make reasonable adjustments to allow you to carry on doing your job effectively. An unwillingness or failure to do so is unlawful discrimination and you can take action under the Equality Act. 

    The best thing to do is talk to your line manager or HR department if you haven't done so already, and stress how the lack of reasonable adjustments have been affecting your ability to do your job. If you have already exhausted this option i would suggest you get in contact with ACAS  who will be able to provide you with some legal advise and what the best next steps would be. You can get in touch with ACAS on 0300 123 1100. 

    Hope that helps and let us know how you get on  
    Mwila
    Scope Employment Advisor
    Phone: 0300 222 5742
    Email: supporttowork@scope.org.uk
    www.scope.org.uk/supporttowork

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