Any advice on discussing disability needs at work?

stevesdonna62
stevesdonna62 Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
edited September 2023 in Work
Im looking for advice regarding work. I've recently needed time off due to my disability. This has triggered a stage 2 assessment which wasn't very friendly or sympathetic. I have no control over my disability and when it 'flares up'. I now face dismissal if I have any further episodes of sickness in next 6 months. They never mentioned disability or Equality Act 2010. Not even sure if they're aware!

Comments

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 9,376 Online Community Team
    edited September 2023
    Hi @stevesdonna62! Welcome to the online community :)

    I'm really sorry to hear you're having trouble at work.

    If you have disclosed your disability to your employer, it may come under a reasonable adjustment, but I know it can be difficult to approach the subject with employers if they're not very sympathetic.

    Does your workplace have a HR department, or are you speaking directly to your manager?

    Perhaps it would be worth setting up a separate meeting with your line manager to explain your concerns.
  • stevesdonna62
    stevesdonna62 Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
    Thank you 😊
  • DaveOT
    DaveOT Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
    Yes, agree with the above, that it is now time to protect potential dismissal by disclosing to your employer about your disability and requesting protection under the Equality Act 2010.  During flare ups, would any workplace adjustments have helped you to return to work sooner or remain at work? Perhaps the option of flexible working, changing aspects of your work tasks etc.? Ask for a discussion with an HR Manager, and maybe ask for an Occupational Health assessment too, as they can offer support with adjustments, and with explaining your medical condition to your employer. If you anticpiate future flare ups, one of the things I would ask OH or your GP to advise your employer to grant you is Disability Adjusted Leave (DAL). This means you'd be given a higher threshold of sickness absence, say 8 extra days a year, before a Stage 3 is triggered. But, the sickness HAS to be directly attributed to your specific health condition. 
  • stevesdonna62
    stevesdonna62 Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
    Thank you to everyone who has replied. I think it's time to let them know about my disability. Not sure it will change the overall outcome, but it's worth a try.
  • stevesdonna62
    stevesdonna62 Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
    As a result of my disability and really not being able to carry on working, I was thinking about retiring on the grounds of I'll health. I'm not yet pension age (I'm 62) so not really sure which way to go or even how to go about it. TIA 
  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 9,376 Online Community Team
    Good luck @stevesdonna62, it's worth a try. I hope it goes positively for you. Keep us posted :)

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