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Can I ask my employer to pay for ear defenders?

Squeaky Beaker

I work in a factory environment which has a loud HVAC system and uses a range of equipment including ultrasonic devices. I have a high pain threshold, which is how I'm able to work in an environment that would be torture for many on the spectrum, but I find it tiring and sometimes the noise does surpass my tolerance levels.

I have found some ear plugs that I believe will help. They are about £25 - if I asked my employer to pay for them, do they have any legal obligation to provide them, or would it just be a goodwill gesture on their part?

Parents

  • Hi

    In my opinion you can ask for ear defenders.

    Have you told your employer you are autistic?  If so, the ear defenders should be provided as part of your 'reasonable adjustments' for your condition.  If you have not told your employer, you may still be able to get them, but it makes it easier if you have told him as under the equality act your employer is not discriiminatory if they do not know about your disability.

    If your employer does not know of your autism, you can request them on the grounds that your work is being affected by noise levels to which you are very susceptible.  You do not go to work for your health to suffer and your employer has obligations to prevent this from happening.

    So first of all, put in a polite request (in writing if you like) asking for the defenders.  If your employer knows of your autism, explain that your autism affects you in this way.  If your employer does not know, consider telling them but if you don't wish to explain that your health is suffering as a result of the noise.  And see what the response is.  Hopefully you will get what your are seeking, after all £25 is not a lot of money in the scheme of things in employment, and even a meeting of you and a manager for a half hour talking will cost your employer more than this in wages for the meeting.

    In situations like these, being a member of a trade union is always a great help as it will give you access to legal advice and representation, especially if your union is recognised by the company.  I cannot stress how much help being in a union is especially for someone who may need adjustments and may suffer from poss ible discrimination.

    If the response is unfavourable there should be some mechanism for appealing.  And you may have some evidence from others that your health is beig affected.  Your employer should have policies in place regarding to health and safety, equality and disablement, requests for reasonable adjustments and grievance procedures.  These should be readily avaiable for you to read and I recommend you are familiar with them.  Hopefully everything will be resolved amicably at the beginning.  It can cause a lot of anxiety trying to sort these things out yourself with no one available to help you. 

    Unfortunately a lot of employers do not take their legal responsibilities seriously and to enforce your rights has its cost in anxiety, time and effort.

Reply

  • Hi

    In my opinion you can ask for ear defenders.

    Have you told your employer you are autistic?  If so, the ear defenders should be provided as part of your 'reasonable adjustments' for your condition.  If you have not told your employer, you may still be able to get them, but it makes it easier if you have told him as under the equality act your employer is not discriiminatory if they do not know about your disability.

    If your employer does not know of your autism, you can request them on the grounds that your work is being affected by noise levels to which you are very susceptible.  You do not go to work for your health to suffer and your employer has obligations to prevent this from happening.

    So first of all, put in a polite request (in writing if you like) asking for the defenders.  If your employer knows of your autism, explain that your autism affects you in this way.  If your employer does not know, consider telling them but if you don't wish to explain that your health is suffering as a result of the noise.  And see what the response is.  Hopefully you will get what your are seeking, after all £25 is not a lot of money in the scheme of things in employment, and even a meeting of you and a manager for a half hour talking will cost your employer more than this in wages for the meeting.

    In situations like these, being a member of a trade union is always a great help as it will give you access to legal advice and representation, especially if your union is recognised by the company.  I cannot stress how much help being in a union is especially for someone who may need adjustments and may suffer from poss ible discrimination.

    If the response is unfavourable there should be some mechanism for appealing.  And you may have some evidence from others that your health is beig affected.  Your employer should have policies in place regarding to health and safety, equality and disablement, requests for reasonable adjustments and grievance procedures.  These should be readily avaiable for you to read and I recommend you are familiar with them.  Hopefully everything will be resolved amicably at the beginning.  It can cause a lot of anxiety trying to sort these things out yourself with no one available to help you. 

    Unfortunately a lot of employers do not take their legal responsibilities seriously and to enforce your rights has its cost in anxiety, time and effort.

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