Reasonable adjustments

Dawnie1610
Dawnie1610 Online Community Member Posts: 12 Listener
Hi all hope someone can help me with some advise. I have been diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis of my right wrist. This has been ongoing since August 2023. I had a couple of weeks off sick in the beginning and then work arranged for an independent OH assessment who made suggestions to get me back in the office, ie ergonomic keyboard, and mouse and hybrid working. I see my own OT about every 6 weeks, she suggested a phased return to office work, which I tried, however an hour drive in, 8 hours of keyboard work and then an hour drive home caused me extreme pain and distress. Since 2nd January I have been working from home, they arranged a 2nd OH call last week with the same person as before, he has agreed it is not going to get better and the fact that work are asking me back in the office 1 day a week and gradually increasing is not likely to happen  as my ability to increase my days in are unlikely, and I retire in 7 months. He said I should ideally work from home until I retire, but I know his report is only suggestions 
I now have a call this week with my HR and manager and I am concerned that they are going to try to make me bring my retirement forward which I can't afford to do  
Does any one know if they can do this or what my options may be ? 

Comments

  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 10,798 Scope Online Community Coordinator
    Hi @Dawnie1610, I'm sorry to hear about the osteoarthritis and your struggles with work. 
    Your employer cannot force you to retire early, but they can offer an early retirement package. Though legally they should be attempting to make reasonable adjustments to help you continue working, especially if you have someone from OH giving suggestions. 
     Could it be worth speaking to someone from ACAS about this? or a solicitor? They would know the legalities a lot better than me. 
  • Dawnie1610
    Dawnie1610 Online Community Member Posts: 12 Listener
    Thank you I'm going to see what HR say when I have my review .