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'Reasonable' Workplace Adjustments

ProbablyTheWay
over 1 year ago

So I've had my formal diagnosis report through which comes with a summarised version for me to give to my employer which I have now done. Mixed feelings about it honestly, on the one hand I'm excited that I've got the paperwork to back me up now but also apprehensive about changing things and how my employer will take it.

I know that legally they have to do something to accommodate my requests but it's still nagging me that I've managed for nearly 8 years before these changes on my own. All be it with fluctuating motivation. Has anyone else gone through similar?

I work in a office of a small department of a SME, everyone knows everyone kind of place.

The sort of things I've asked for:

  • Moving desks so I can at the back of the room, preferably with no one behind me. (currently with my back to the main door and end up turning around every time someone enters)
  • Only receiving calls to my direct phone number, not the general office phone
  • Not expected to answer the door to clients (we don't have visitors in our dept but others do and knock on our window to come in)
  • Use of noise cancelling headphones as and when I need
  • Option to take regular breaks (Think I already do this but mask it as tea breaks!)

I don't think I'm asking for much really but I know me moving desks means one of my 5 colleagues will have to move too unless everyone shifts about, both of which will probably cause a stir.

Parents
  • over 1 year ago

    Thank you both for your input with this. Thought I'd give an update as I just had the meeting an hour ago!

    All my adjustments were discussed and mostly agreed. The only areas of compromise were the sound cancelling headphones which I agreed are a bit extreme and there aren't many occasions I feel I need that level of isolation. So have agreed to use normal ear buds so I can block out general chatter but will be able to hear if someone needs me.

    I will also answer the phone if I'm the only one there or everyone is busy which is fair. Same for answering the door to clients. They were surprised as I apparently am very friendly and welcoming which was nice to hear. I'm also allowed to take short breaks when I need them and only have to tell someone if I'm away from my desk for an extended period of time.

    My biggest worry was around the moving of desks but thankfully they are looking at getting another member of staff so would require a reshuffle anyway. SO in a few weeks I will be in the corner facing the room again which makes me very happy.

    Overall they were very supportive of the diagnosis and what it means to me and really just wanted to understand it and how it affects me. As I have been there nearly 8 years some things surprised them i.e how social I am in the office where I know everyone but outside of it I'm not. 

Reply
  • over 1 year ago

    Thank you both for your input with this. Thought I'd give an update as I just had the meeting an hour ago!

    All my adjustments were discussed and mostly agreed. The only areas of compromise were the sound cancelling headphones which I agreed are a bit extreme and there aren't many occasions I feel I need that level of isolation. So have agreed to use normal ear buds so I can block out general chatter but will be able to hear if someone needs me.

    I will also answer the phone if I'm the only one there or everyone is busy which is fair. Same for answering the door to clients. They were surprised as I apparently am very friendly and welcoming which was nice to hear. I'm also allowed to take short breaks when I need them and only have to tell someone if I'm away from my desk for an extended period of time.

    My biggest worry was around the moving of desks but thankfully they are looking at getting another member of staff so would require a reshuffle anyway. SO in a few weeks I will be in the corner facing the room again which makes me very happy.

    Overall they were very supportive of the diagnosis and what it means to me and really just wanted to understand it and how it affects me. As I have been there nearly 8 years some things surprised them i.e how social I am in the office where I know everyone but outside of it I'm not. 

Children