Work Advice Please

[ComicBookGuy]

Hi,
Im a type 2 diabetic, diagnosed recently and im trying to adjust my lifestyle for the better to help me keep well after i recently had a toe amputated.

I work shifts as technical support for a major ISP which was playing havoc with my sugar levels. I asked my work place to give me fixed regular hour, 9 to 5 Mon through to Fri to help me manage my condition.

My work place have replied, but they say they can not support me working Mon to Fri, they can only offer me 9 to 5 working Saturday through to Wednesday. This is because they are short staffed on weekends and need cover.

However my work place canteen is not open on Saturday and Sunday, so i would need to provide my own meals on a weekend. I would also have to give up every weekend which i feel is not fair as i am doing this adjustment because of my medical condition.

I wondered if anyone knew where i stand legally on this? I have been with the company a year and a half. My work place have already completely disregarded a letter from my doctor that recommends that i ideally work Mon to Fri, 9 to 5.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

 

[Redkite]

Hi, sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis. Diabetes is covered by Disability Discrimination legislation (as a long-term health condition), so employers have to make reasonable adjustments. However it could be argued that your employers have already done this by offering you 9-5 hours, even though the days are not what you would prefer. I wonder if Diabetes UK can give you some advice on this - have you looked at their website and/or phoned their careline? Hope you can get this sorted out in your favour - rotten to have to work every weekend unless it fits in with your family/other commitments.

 

[AlisonM]

Welcome to the forum CBG.

Do you have a union rep you could talk to? If not, you might try ACAS or the CAB. In reality though, your employer may be able to make the case they have offered a reasonable alternative which gives you the stability you need. I'm sorry not to be more positive.

 

[Caroline]

may also pay you to talk to the union or the citizens advice people who will be able to advise too.

Firms are supposed to make reasnobale adjustments for medical conditions and physical disabilities.

Not sure how you'd satnd about staff canteen not being open at weekends as many people bring packed lunches to work. In order to get stuff I like that is not full of carbs, fat salt and spice I bring my own lunch to work.

Good luck with it

 

[ComicBookGuy]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes they argue that they have made reasonable adjustment by offering me 9 to 5 over the weekend. They also argue they are under no legal obligation to provide food facilities over the weekend. I don't feel its fair that they can take advantage of my condition to use me as cover for staff shortages on weekends either.

Im quite anxious to get myself into a regular pattern that suits me ASAP as i currently have problems developing in my foot again which is threatening my entire leg now, and my work place's refusal to accommodate me is causing alot of anxiety.

Will contact Diabetes UK to see what help they can offer.

 

[Redkite]

This is a long shot, but if you need exercise as part of managing your condition, could you enrol in something that only takes place on a weekend, e.g.rambling group? Then perhaps you could argue weekend working can't be done. A very long shot.....