Occupational Health

Hi. Has anyone any thoughts on what to expect for an OH assessment. My manager is making the referral. Any advice they can give to help work, would be perfect but I haven’t a clue if that is what OH do? Is there any useful questions to raise? Many thanks 

Parents
  • My referral to OH was supportive. Before you go think about your job and any areas that there could be adaptions for you. We are all different so OH is limited by their experience and they will respond to what you need.

  • For example - I needed breaks. I needed processing time and writing down of some key areas. I also needed a small trolley to push my equipment around. I needed headphones that were specific to me as I struggled with sharing equipment with others.

    The best thing to do is to frame your questions around the areas that you have difficulty with. OH will have some ideas,but you are the only one who knows what things need to be in place e.g. I was perepetetic so I needed a big reduction to the number of places I went out to work in. My manager put it all inr place because when he didn't do anything I went to H and comllained tha

Reply
  • For example - I needed breaks. I needed processing time and writing down of some key areas. I also needed a small trolley to push my equipment around. I needed headphones that were specific to me as I struggled with sharing equipment with others.

    The best thing to do is to frame your questions around the areas that you have difficulty with. OH will have some ideas,but you are the only one who knows what things need to be in place e.g. I was perepetetic so I needed a big reduction to the number of places I went out to work in. My manager put it all inr place because when he didn't do anything I went to H and comllained tha

Children
  • I went to HR and complained. HR sent a letter to my manager citing the Equalities and Disability Act. All suggestions then put in place.

    If you live in the UK and need adjustments that cost money you can self refer to Access to Work. It is a government funded team. I had £20,000 support over two years to buy equipment and it has to be agreed by your workplace, as they have to buy equipment first and then claim the money back.

     What you ask OH is only limited by what you think you need. Think about whether you need more 1-1 contact with your manager,advanced warning about inspections etc. What you ask is dependent on the job you do, and whether you need more time,explanations,or resources,to do it.

    Good luck. Nice process for many of us.