Advice regarding equality act

[bluenose4464]

Hi

I had a stroke in April 2020. I have been off work since then. I am now on the verge of returning to work after an extensive rehabilitation programme.

The initial problem I have is That I work approximately 55 miles from work and use to drive to get there. However, since the stroke I have suffered permanent peripheral vision loss and I am now registered as partially sighted and cannot drive.

I have applied for access to work and have told my employer this, but my manager has put my return to work on hold until they can find out more information for access to work.

This has got me worried as I am not sure if this will result in me losing my job. I find the company stance worrying, as I was told that my job requires me to be based on site (eventually when Covid subsides)

There is a site much closer to home, but I am told that they operate differently

I am in limbo at the moment as I dont know what the company is going to do

Does anyone have any experience of this happening to them or any advice as what to do if the worse happens?

Many Thanks

[ULA]

Have you spoken to your employer about reasonable adjustments as part of your return to work?

Are these in line with any advice provided by your medical specialists dealing with your rehabilitation and your return to work

What kind of help have you asked Access to Work to consider?

[bluenose4464]

I have spoken to my employer and I have access to work approved for getting to work. I know that I will need a risk assessment to be performed upon my returning to site (whenever that is?). I don't need any specialist equipment as I can suitably see my computer screen, there may be some requirements on where I can and cannot go on site until a risk assessment is completed. I informed them that I wanted to return to work on the 1st February and have had a meeting with the site occupational health who confirmed a two month phased return based at home. However when having my fortnightly meeting with my manager, they said that it is not yet agreed that I can start back on the 1st feb. I think the reason for this is that I am being paid 80% of my wage through a group income protection plan and not the company.
The worrying aspect of this is that I don't know what the company is planning to do as I believe to stop me from returning to work indicates that they are looking at other options regarding my employment.
I am now left in limbo until the 4th Feb to see if any outcome has been agreed. I just think it has been handled very poorly

[ULA]

When did you inform them of the date you wanted to return to work?

Given what you have said they are involving occupational health and ensuring that a risk assessment is going to be carried out which is all very sensible of the company and i would be concerned if they were not doing this.

Why are you in limbo until 4 Feb? Even if this is the next date for your fortnightly meeting it does not stop the company speaking with you in the intervening time about your return to work nor does it stop you contacting them yourself to see if there is any progress on agreeing the arrangements on a return to work for Feb.

[bluenose4464]

I informed them at the beginning of December that I would like to return to work on the 1st Feb. My manager booked a appointment for me to see the site occupational therapist. My occupational therapist, rehabilitation therapist and the site occupational health all agreed that it would be a 2 month phased return based at home.
I have contacted my manager to find out what is happening and have received communication stating that they want to be sure all options have been considered. I have replied back asking what all options means.
The options I think being considered are:

Finishing me up on medical grounds - without any payment (redundancy)

Making me redundant

Transferring me to another role

Letting me return to work in my current role

I think it is one of the top two options as I don't understand the sudden reluctance to allow me to return to work on a phased return from home. I have worked for 10 months to get myself in a position to return to work and for the attitude to change when I thought the date had been agreed, for them to be considering all options (whatever they are because I still havent been told) to me is worrying.
I have had my access to work approved and the company know that as access to work has been in touch with them, so although it is an increase in me getting to work, I have no option but to accept that as I don't want to lose my job as it would be financially crippling to me and my family.
So regarding being in Limbo, I believe I still am (at the time of writing this) because I don't know what options the company is considering.

[ULA]

I would suggest that when you hear back from your manager to your most recent correspondence, if the response does not provide details of either a confirmed return to work or a timescale when they can let you know then you need to ask for this information to be provided to you, given that you contacted them last Dec providing 2 months notice of a return to work for which a group of specialists have all agreed should be on a phased basis.

[bluenose4464]

I am waiting for a reply from my manager. As soon as I hear anything back I will let you know the outcome