Discrimination at work

holly29

Hi, this is my first post here,

I have scoliosis and as I’ve got older the pain is becoming more and more unbearable. Multiple medication change still trying to find the right on for me, 2 c-sections haven’t helped matters either. 

My employer (a very well know clothing shop) are fully aware of my issues mainly due to the amount of Time off I have needed due to some days walking being impossible. I have received numerous councelling at work due to the level of my absence. Despite at every back to work meeting explaining what I have wrong with me Time and time again. Adjustments are meant to be made for me but never kept to and work is becoming harder and harder. One of the adjustment was that I need a chair as being on my feet for long periods causes my back to flair up and makes me very shakey like I’m going to fall Over. 

Anyway, I’ve been back a week since lockdown And have Been on the front door clicking people in and out th store. I’ve had a chair and no one has moaned at all. The store manager has been fine with it. However today the deputy manager has come back and came up to me on th front door. Asking me why I’m sitting down, yet again explained my situation to be patronised and told “why are you here?”

when I looked at her in complete shock she then changed her words to “well what would you do if you was on another department and your back was hurting” I was honest and told her that well if I didn’t have a seat and it was like it was at the moment I probably would of gone home if there wasn’t somewhere to sit. 

She then proceeded to tell me I’m not allowed to sit down on the front door (even though I have been a week no problem) for longer than 5 minutes because it looks rude offensive and unengaging with customers,,, if I need a seat perminatly I would need to be sat behind the till where my seat is hidden and can’t be seen by customers.,,, only another colleague is allowed to sit down as she has a bad knee today. 

I was so upset and on the spot I wanted to cry. I carried on sitting chatting to customers the same as I have done. Half hour before my shift finished the manager in question whispered to the store manager we need to her out of that chair. She then reluctantly came up and went to me I need to th chair back hun sorry!!

ive came home in absolute mess,,,, I have quite severe anxiety and depression which I’m on medication for. And now th thought of going in tomorrow is worrying me so much. 

I’m damned if I do Damned If I don’t I get moaned at for being off with it now moaned at for this 

I’m just wondering if there is anything I can do. 

thankyou in advance 

janer1967

Hi and welcome to the community

You say they should be making reasonable adjustments but not keeping to them, where did the recommendations come from ? Have you been referred to Occupational health for an assessment who will recommend reasonable adjustments.

It is very hard for companies not to take on board recommendations made and if they dont you can lodge a grievance

You can also put in a grievance about how you were treated by the Deputy Manager as well. Do you have  HR department that could be the first point of call.

Another option is to go to your GP and ask for a fit note stating what conditions you are fit to work eg can only stand for specific period of time.

Have you considered the option of working behind the till if you are allowed to sit there 

I hope you manage to get this sorted and if you want any other advice just ask

holly29

janer1967 said:

Hi and welcome to the community

You say they should be making reasonable adjustments but not keeping to them, where did the recommendations come from ? Have you been referred to Occupational health for an assessment who will recommend reasonable adjustments.

It is very hard for companies not to take on board recommendations made and if they dont you can lodge a grievance

You can also put in a grievance about how you were treated by the Deputy Manager as well. Do you have  HR department that could be the first point of call.

Another option is to go to your GP and ask for a fit note stating what conditions you are fit to work eg can only stand for specific period of time.

Have you considered the option of working behind the till if you are allowed to sit there 

I hope you manage to get this sorted and if you want any other advice just ask

Hi thankyou so much for your reply. 

By adjustments I meant that when I return from being signed off they have asked me if there is anything that they can do as a company to make work easier for me so I don’t have to be off work as much from over doing it when there. One of the suggestions they have noted down was that a chair would be available for me to use as and when needed. However this has never been the case and when there has been one it’s then moved from behind the till down to the stock room, as apparently they are no longer allowed them out due to recent changes in store there is a list of equipment and that equipment only is allowed behind the till area and on the shop floor hope that makes sense. 

So today they’ve completely back tracked on that also. 

Regarding being on the till at all times. Everyday we have a “where am I today?” sheet that tells us what area we are on today. A few times I have asked to move as that particular day had been a bad day with my back and they have made me feel like I’m being a complete pain and uncomfortable asking. 

I think perhaps I’m upset also because for years my back has been getting gradually worse and today it’s hit me just how much now my scoliosis is affecting my life more than I like to really let on. And admitting work is becoming to much makes me feel like I’m failing a little 

Awesomelorenzo

I would leave. They can't respect you so go and find a nice store where they do.
It looks rude if you're sitting down. Yeah okay, well go have a moan at those at Pets at home then. The door attentdant sits on her bum all day.

janer1967

You really need to sort something out on a more official basis. 

I suggest you ask about a OH referral if they are a big retailer they should have one . If assessed as needing any adjustments or equipment they have to consider this as long as it is reasonable and could be a valid reason for having to provide a chair

There is a lot on here about reasonable adjustments to help 

Your employer has a responsibility under the equality act to consider and make reasonable adjystments 
 

newborn

See the Union.

chiarieds

Hi @holly29 - & welcome to the community. Here's a link to the info on Scope mentioned above: https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/work-careers/reasonable-adjustments/

Hope you can get something sorted, & please let us know how you get on, thank you.

Chloe_Scope

Hi @holly29, just wanted to check in to see how you are getting on.

holly29

Hi everyone thankyou so much for your replies it really means the world to be able to speak to people without judgment. 

Also really sorry for the the late reply. 

Since posting this my health has taken a turn for the worst. To the point where I have started experiencing tremors, I was experiencing them before but not as often as i am now. It was getting to the point where I was struggling to even get money out the till. The pain is becoming unbearable, prompting me to make another appointment with my GP who thinks it could be more something to do with my nerves and has referred me to a pain specialist and wants me to have various tests done due to some other symptoms I mentioned some of which I didn’t even think could be linked. I’ve been prescribed 100mg of pregablin 3 times a day. 

Ive had this week off annual leave but I’ve now been signed off for 2 weeks which I’m dreading telling my manager. 

My mental health is also at an all time low. Struggling with 2 small children 8 and 4- one of which has behavioural problems. 

Its now becoming more real and at this moment in time I feel to unwell and in too much pain to consider returning to work. I have no idea where to go from here 

cupcake88

@holly29 hi how are you ? I my self are currently taking my previous employer to tribunal for disability discrimination. 

It’s been very stressful and time consuming  because these cases can go on for a long time but I refuse to let them get away with it .

now what your asking is very much a reasonable adjustment . I would first raise grievance like the advice above and go from there also I would report what you manager said to you that’s unexceptionable. 

I was bullied  out my job for have a mental illness and it was horrific what a went threw and this seems to happen a lot which isn’t right. It wouldn’t help for you to maybe get some legal advice also . 

Chloe_Scope

I imagine this has been really tough @holly29! I hope the pain specialist appointment isn't a long wait. How have things been?