Reasonable adjustments

[Sarah69]

I work as an HCA in a hospital and 1 of my roles is to give out lunches/teas and also to feed patients. The food sometimes makes me want to vomit especially certain meals/food combinations. Do you think if I asked my manager to be excused from this duty a reasonable adjustment?

 

[MissMuffett]

It won’t hurt to ask!

 

[searley]

You can ask.. but being T2 doesn’t automatically mean you are covered by the equality act so they may not be legally required to make adjustments

In a situation of a T2 the only way to get a definitive answer to whether you are covered by the act is the judging panel at a tribunal during this they would have to determine how affected you would be ‘untreated’ then decide whether that would cover you by the act

So while you can ask don’t be surprised if they say no.. then it’s upto you to decide if you take it further

 

[Antje77]

You can ask.. but being T2 doesn’t automatically mean you are covered by the equality act

But the adjustments wouldn't be for having T2 but for having nausea.

The food sometimes makes me want to vomit especially certain meals/food combinations.

Have you talked to your GP about this nausea? Do you know the cause?
I think to be entitled to reasonable adjustments you'd need to have a diagnosis:

If you've been refused reasonable adjustments

If you didn't get the adjustments you need, check if you've experienced a type of discrimination called ‘failure to make reasonable adjustments’.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

and:

Check if you’re protected from disability discrimination

Understand how the Equality Act defines disability. The Equality Act is the law that stops employers, businesses and providers discriminating against you.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

However, you can always ask to do a different task instead of this one, they may be happy to have you swap a task with someone else.

 

[searley]

But the adjustments wouldn't be for having T2 but for having nausea.

Have you talked to your GP about this nausea? Do you know the cause?
I think to be entitled to reasonable adjustments you'd need to have a diagnosis:

If you've been refused reasonable adjustments

If you didn't get the adjustments you need, check if you've experienced a type of discrimination called ‘failure to make reasonable adjustments’.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

and:

Check if you’re protected from disability discrimination

Understand how the Equality Act defines disability. The Equality Act is the law that stops employers, businesses and providers discriminating against you.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

However, you can always ask to do a different task instead of this one, they may be happy to have you swap a task with someone else.

In the UK there is no immediate right to reasonable adjustments at work unless you are covered by the equality act

Nausea won’t be covered by the act.. diabetes can be but not for all diabetics

So as I say.. the question can be asked… and they can say no

 

[Antje77]

Nausea won’t be covered by the act..

Depends on the nausea, and how much it impairs you. My friend has a horrible form of nausea which would definitely be classed as a disability.
The act automatically covers certain conditions, like T1, but many conditions are assessed individually.
I definitely think asking has more chance of success than mentioning reasonable adjustments and the equality act right away though.

From one of the links I posted above:

The definition is set out in section 6 of the Equality Act 2010. It says you’re disabled if:

• you have a physical or mental impairment
• that impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities

Some impairments are automatically treated as a disability.

 

[Deleted member 475901]

You need a diagnosis to understand better whether your nausea might be covered by the Equality Act.
I have a friend who has ongoing nausea at a level where it can severely impact her life. But if this was just a reaction to certain foods without a diagnosis, then it is unlikely to be considered under 'reasonable adjustments'.
Without that, it depends on your team/employer whether they are willing to switch roles.

As the nausea is bad enough to impact your work I suggest you ask your GP?

 

[Jaylee]

I work as an HCA in a hospital and 1 of my roles is to give out lunches/teas and also to feed patients. The food sometimes makes me want to vomit especially certain meals/food combinations. Do you think if I asked my manager to be excused from this duty a reasonable adjustment?

Hi,

From a practical perspective. It might be more easier to swap duties with a colleague to accommodate your issue by asking your team members first.. Then liaise with your manager to keep them in the loop regarding resolving the issue & maintaining the vital cover needed in the workplace for the tasks.. The task you mention having difficulty with. I’m certain a colleague of yours would jump at the chance..

Many years ago, I worked in a Delhi filling baguettes with another guy who was vegetarian for ethical reasons. On starting he asked if I didn’t mind handling the meat fillings & explained the situation. I was only to happy to be part of the solution.

I may be wrong. But I seem to remember you suffering from nausea as a side effect from a certain prescribed med?
It’s certainly worth perusing your issue with your GP & or Diabetes team first.


Good luck.