I need advice about my changing job rolethis as short as I can.

Hi, Happy new year,

it has been some time since I posted, and I have just realized that this website is a fantastic tool with such wide advice from members. I will try and make it as short as poss. I have worked for 38yrs for the same company, I have been diagnosed with MS for 9 years of those. I have worked in the same environment for probably 20 yrs and had adjustments made when diagnosed. I have only had absence once in those years due to a relapse last year. My job role has been reassessed, and after being in a very close environment with toilet, sitting all day and very little walking and early working shifts due to my fatigue which is extreme late afternoons. I am now being told that my tasks will be changing. I have enquired and feel that my employer has basically disregarded the conditions I was allowed to follow for those 9 years basically stating that the new job role entails more including shifts having to stand and walk, not be close to a toilet facility and probable longer working shifts. I am very upset and unsure what I can actually do. I have just been assessed for reasonable adjustments by them which is the second I have ever had. Apparently they should be annually. Can anyone please let me know what I can do. Thankyou so much.

Hi I would strongly suggest u speak to citizen advice bureau and \ or ACAS. If your company have made the changes they have for u under disability law, I don’t understand why they can suddenly decide u don’t need those adaptions any more. Get some professional advice asap.

Hope u get it sorted.

Best wishes,

Hazel

Hiya,

Have a gander around the EHRC website, Our human rights work | Equality and Human Rights Commission it will answer all your questions.

As far as ‘reasonable adjustments’ are concerned call in Access to Work Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - GOV.UK who will tell your employers what they should do for you. AtW will also pay for any furniture; installing toilets; taxis to and from to save you getting tired driving and lots more.

Do not change your role/job unless you feel it is too much for you. If they want to change it OK; but on the same pay grade and incriments.

Talk with them; good luck.

George

Many thanks for the advice. It has been a company wide action with many being reintroduced to new departments. They have not been clear as to what the new role will be but have made suggestions of these tasks that I will just not be able to do. I think because I have voiced my concerns they have now carried out my assessment which as I have said early is only the second in 9 years. It isn’t my fault that they have changed or disbanded the role I have been in for some 20 years. It is very worrying after 38 years that they seem to want me on the scrap heap. I will definitely seek some legal advice.

Thanks George. It is very worrying. They would stand by my pay scale it is the role/tasks that will change quite dramatically hence my worries. I know that I will not be able to complete these and do not want to fall into the box of underperforming which apparently has happened to able bodied colleagues. This will result in being managed out without being paid what is due i.e. Redundancy.

I would pay for legal advice - a ‘disability’ solicitor may think it a good idea to write to your company pointing out your rights etc. - not a confrontational letter - just to give your employer the message that you aren’t going to be pushed about.

it will cost you but will be worth it.

Hi

I would also recommend that you get some initial legal advice. I am sure it will help your confidence in negotiating at work. The law is on your side.

The MS Society funds a lawyer at the Disability Law Service. They gave me great advice when I needed it - and there is no charge. Here are the details https://www.mssociety.org.uk/ms-legal-advice-service.

Good luck with it all

Are you a member of a trade union? If so, you must talk to them, they are there for just this kind of situation and can often. be a great help - they would be well versed in disability rights in the workplace. 38 years service should be worth some consideration.

Best of luck,

Ben

As krakowian suggests and you are not in a Trade Union; don’t forget if you are a member of the MS Society they pay the Disability Law Service for free legal advice and help if required; see http://dls.org.uk/

George

Hi Ben, I wish. I know that in this day and age it seems ridiculous but in our company which is a major retailer and as I am a departmental manager it is deemed a no go area. I feel easier after having such great advice and I am definitely finding out my legal standing as I don’t want to seem uneducated about what they can actually do. and the 38 year service means absolutely nothing anymore, too expensive, still paid sick and bank holiday premiums etc. I will make sure that the right thing is done here it really isn’t fair.

Thanks

J

[quote=Jacquelinebaba1]

Hi Ben, I wish. I know that in this day and age it seems ridiculous but in our company which is a major retailer and as I am a departmental manager it is deemed a no go area. I feel easier after having such great advice and I am definitely finding out my legal standing as I don’t want to seem uneducated about what they can actually do. and the 38 year service means absolutely nothing anymore, too expensive, still paid sick and bank holiday premiums etc. I will make sure that the right thing is done here it really isn’t fair.

Thanks

J

The law is on our side. Once you have ‘proper’ legal advice you will feel empowered. Let your employer know - in the nicest possible way! - that you have taken legal advice and you’ll be o.k.

And remember you employer is just that - employers are not friends.

Just stay put Jacqueline, for crying out loud! 38 Years you said??! Shame on them! I ‘have’ SPMS and I have been put out of work , since my last assignment in, I think, 2003! Having a disabled daughter at the same time (plus a most forgiving and wonderful wife and son) plus being officially a foreigner (dutch…), did not make things easier.

But, one of my resolutions is making clear to that lot that I am still here, ‘do not let them!’ (if you know what I mean?!).

Good luck dear Jacqueline.

Many thanks for your support. I am so pleased with the response I have had. I will let you know how I get on, and I’m totally agreeing with you and I won’t let them…hopefully.

Thanks again

J.

sounds great advice from the above.

glad to know it makes you feel empowered.

hurrah for the mss having free lawyers!!!

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