Reasonable adjustments in the workplace - included my draft letter

[nmartin95]

Hi everyone! I haven't been on here in a while but I'm currently in the process of writing a letter to my employer to ask for reasonable adjustments. I've never done this before though so I need a little help.

I work in a cafe/coffee shop/restaurant type of place, where I'm standing all day and carrying heavy things, taking plates of food out to people, and just general manual labour jobs. I also work different shift hours every day, so one day I could be working 10:30am-7:30pm, and then the next do a 9-5 shift. So my sleeping pattern is very irregular. I also never get weekends off, which are our busiest days.

I feel as though I'm constantly in a flare, as each day seems to get worse than the last, and I believe it's due to my work. For the past 7 months I've not asked for anything from my workplace, even though I'm entitled to it, but now I feel like it's all getting too much.

Does anyone have any advice on what reasonable adjustments I can ask for? Like would I be able to ask for a chair to be put behind the tills so I can sit when my legs hurt too much? Or is that too much a of stretch to ask for?

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

UPDATE - I have pasted my letter below. Does it sound reasonable?

'I am writing this letter to ask for some changes to my work schedules and arrangements. I want to be able to do my job well and making these changes will support me to do it well.

As you may know, I suffer from fibromyalgia, which is a long-term chronic pain condition. I suffer from various kinds of symptoms, such as; widespread pain in my muscles and joints, chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, headaches, cognitive dysfunction, sensitivity to: pain (generally mild knocks and bangs), temperature (both hot and cold), light, and sound. I also get side effects of medication I am taking, such as dizziness, nausea, and increased fatigue. I am finding that recently, my symptoms are worsening and I seem to be in a constant flare-up. Every day, I experience every symptom listed above. These combined with my current duties at work and the shifts I am working, are making my symptoms unmanageable and is affecting my work.

Because of this, I would like the following changes to be made:

•Amended duties:

oNo heavy lifting or carrying

oDecreased amount of manual labour duties

oReduced requirement to work on the floor

•Altered hours:

oConsistent shift pattern

oAt least two full weekends off every month

oMaximum 5 days of consecutive work days

oConsecutive days off

oExtra breaks during shifts

I believe these changes would benefit my health and thus improve my quality of work by these reasons:

•Amended duties:

oI believe not having to lift or carry heavy items, decreased manual labour, and working less on the floor will decrease the amount of pain and stress on my body. This may include carrying the tubs of crockery from the dishwasher to the counter, carrying boxes from the dry store area, carrying packs of milk from the fridge, etc. Sweeping and mopping also causes great pain to my back, and radiates through my body, as well as anything that requires me to bend and stretch, as this also causes pain. Carrying trays of crockery from the floor also causes me pain, especially in my back, shoulders, arms and wrists. With these amended duties, I will experience less pain which means I can concentrate better and will improve my productivity with the things I am able to do.

•Altered hours:

oHaving a consistent shift pattern, at least 2 full weekends off per month, working a maximum of 5 consecutive days, and consecutive days off will drastically improve my fatigue. Fatigue and sleep disturbance severely affects my fibromyalgia symptoms, for example, due to inconsistent shifts my chronic fatigue flares up regularly due to an irregular sleeping pattern. This causes my pain to become worse. Furthermore, studies have shown that lack of sleep/irregular sleeping patterns severely affects the pain in fibromyalgia sufferers. As you know weekends are our busiest days. Having frequent weekends off will decrease the amount of fatigue I feel. We all work harder on the weekend, and therefore my fatigue is severely affected, which in turn affects my ability and quality of work. Having a consistent shift pattern will definitely help my quality of sleep, which will then improve my fatigue and reduce the amount of pain I feel. From this, I am able to work more effectively. I would like a 5 minute break every hour. Having extra breaks during my work day will allow me to manage my pain and fatigue better on that day.

The Equality Act 2010 says that employers have a duty to take positive steps to ensure that people can access and progress in their employment by making reasonable adjustments for disabled employees when a person is at a substantial disadvantage compared with an employee who is not disabled.

Employers must take reasonable steps to address the substantial disadvantage and this can include:

•Changes to the way things are organised - policies, procedures and practices

•Changes to duties and working hours

•Changes to the physical environment

•Providing extra aids and services

If you would like to discuss this matter further, please do so. I look forward to the adjustments being made, and for my quality of work and health to improve.

Yours sincerely,

'

[Rose54]

Hi

Firstly do they know you have a disability

I would speak to them and ask what reasonable adjustments they could make for you.

It has to be something that will not impact on the business

So a reasonable adjustment could be less hours

Regular hours not shifts 9 to 5

Not working weekends

However this may not be possible due to effecting other Staff

As long as a chair is not considered a health and safety issue behind the till that may be a option

But you could ask for extra 5 min break very hour or something similar .

Would be friendlier just asking first

Good luck

[nmartin95 in reply to Rose54]

Hi! Yes they all know I have a disability. I don't think I will ask for a chair behind the tills, having regular breaks will probably be best.

My manager is unfortunately not a friendly person, and is quite intimidating. So I'm trying to gather as much information as possible. I have now included my draft letter into my question, if you would like to read it?

Many thanks

[Hidden]

If you suffer from Fibromyalgia and you have been diagnosed with the condition for all of what your say you should not be working If you haven’t been diagnosed I suggest you try and do so

[nmartin95 in reply to Hidden]

Hi I have been diagnosed. I tried to claim esa but after my assessment they said I was capable of working, I appealed this and they stuck with their decision, saying that I can work but I can ask for reasonable adjustments.

[Hidden in reply to nmartin95]

Who diagnosed you was it an rheumatologist Did you take the American 39 Question test Have you got it in writing If so take it to your doctor You gave us a sermon of how bad you are there for you should not be working round hot waterFood etc Standing for long periods Bot only that what medication you on there are laws about what you can or can’t do if your on serious medication for you Illness I’m trying to help you but please don’t feed me bull Tell me what really going on and I will help you as best I can

[Rose54]

Hi

From that letter you are saying your not fit to do your job at all so be careful.

Reasonable adjustments have to fit in with the business as well

What you are saying is you are unable to do the job you are employed for .

I would phone ACAS for advice

[lovenothate]

Hi,

Firstly, I think your letter is excellently written. Secondly, I would consider it carefully before sending it because you could potentially be saying you are unable to fulfill your duties. Calling the ACAS helpline is great advice... from experience they are very helpful and I think they will give you a much clearer picture.

Kind regards,

Will.

[Lynn22auckley]

My employer let’s me get my hours in throughout the day. I can start from home and come into the office when I have enough energy to get dressed and brush my hair or if I’m up I start at work leave at 2 and have an hour nap and then sign back in at home 3 till 6, it really does make a difference.

[Stevejj]

Please be careful with the letter. As others have stated it seems your not able to do much of your job and an employer may see it as cherry picking which could affect the morale of other staff members. They do have a duty of care to you but also to the business so all those adjustments asked for will probably not be met. I wish you all the luck with it Steve x

[Newtali]

I would contact access to work before you do anything else. They are linked to job centre and can assess what you need and make recommendations to your employer. They can't ignore that. However I would also look for another job which is less physically demanding and more regular hours. This is really not the job for someone with fibro!

Good luck!

[Horsesgalore]

Firstly I would advise locking this post.

I work full time & I often struggle, I really would like to shorten my hours but I can't because my reduced hours couldn't be covered by other staff & the shortfall would affect the business (public library). Work have however been supportive, special ergonomic chair, additional breaks if needed, later start, early finish if necessary & the option to work from home on days when I'm not needed frontline.

Be careful sending a letter like yours, whilst well-written, it does read as if you are unable to do most of the job. As others suggest I would get advice first, maybe ACAS?

All the best.

[ikea]

Hi I asked for my shif patt to be the same everyday as I said if I don’t do the early someone else would have to do it and they dont have to open or close because off you it’s a reasonable also if u go on a web site called nebb mating they sell a pressurised mat which is good fibromyalgia and cost £3o and it’s reasonable to ask your company to pay for it good luck