Disability rights at work.

Author
Discussion

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Wednesday 8th August 2018
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I'm not disabled per se but need medication and hospital treatment for rest of my life. Basically means higher frequency of hospital visits and side effort from medication, am I protected under thee advisability employment act?

anothernameitist

1,500 posts

134 months

Thursday 9th August 2018
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Maybe the equality act, but that would be for a tribunal to decide.

It depends on what reasonable adjustment your employer is willing to make.

A discussion with your boss may be the first steps to getting some answers

James_B

12,642 posts

256 months

Thursday 9th August 2018
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Possibly, but “reasonable” adjustments as required by law can mean not very much in practice.

You’ll be protected against being let go because of your condition if it’s a disability, but they are not required to do a huge amount to accommodate you.

Jasandjules

69,825 posts

228 months

Thursday 9th August 2018
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Ping me an email.

llewop

3,585 posts

210 months

Monday 13th August 2018
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I'm in a similar position - progressive condition that requires regular treatment (canula in the back of my hand right now) and periodic check-ups - although my treatment doesn't have side effects from the medication (which is more topping up the enzymes I'm not making enough of).

With my previous employer I contacted HR to make sure they had some information - like you, don't particularly think I'm disabled now, but could/likely to drift into it as time passes so it occurred to that I could cross into it being applicable, but no one notice (or care particularly) until it becomes an issue for some reason.

Changed job this year with new employer being aware of underlying issue and mitigation (using flexi to give me the days off for treatment) but can easily imagine less sympathetic employers being somewhat blinkered about adjustments and flexibility.

xx99xx

1,892 posts

72 months

Monday 13th August 2018
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Reasonable adjustments will vary depending on the size of the company. What is reasonable for a large organisation may be too much for a small business.

If your disability has a substantial and long term negative effect on your day to day activities then you will fall under the equality act. The act will protect you to some extent from discrimination but some employers don't seem to care and can try to force you out 'voluntarily'.

Stand your ground. Log and keep everything.