Is my boss blackmailing me or is he correct.

[Regalseagull]

Hi,

so I am currently back at work after sustaining a hand injury in a car crash as the passenger. My right hand is basically redundant at times and gripping objects has become a problem.
At this moment in time I am managing to drive my own car to and from work using my left hand with a little help of my right palm when changing gears and whatnot.

My manager has now told me twice if I don’t drive the heavier vehicles at work then he will report me to the dvla and have my license revoked as he has a duty of care apparently.

the thing is I have a report from my work doctor saying I can drive my own vehicle but not to drive anything heavier, but my boss is saying if I can drive my own vehicle then I can drive the heavier vehicles at work, I really can’t and I refuse to put myself in that situation.

his duty of care towards me goes out the window if I drive his vehicle but if I refuse he will report me.

Is he blackmailing me or is he correct, and if he is indeed blackmailing me, what do I do?

[Ukmicky]

The medical requirements for someone to drive a heavy goods vehicle is different to that for the driving a car. Your boss is a Pratt.

[atticus]

How big is your company? Is this boss the top man?

[Regalseagull]

I work for the local council, he is my depot manager.

[sandfordboy]

You mention a report from a "work Doctor" but has the report stated when you will be able to return to operating heavier vehicles ?

[Regalseagull]

My report says when my thumb hand is fixed, which as of yet I don’t have a date for.

[Regalseagull]

My thumb lol

[Ukmicky]

I currently have 2 drivers who can’t drive our 7.5 toners but are medically fine to drive a private car. As it’s a council I would suppose they have a HR depart and a way to refer you for an occupational health assessment . Normally that would be the first step an employer like yours would take in order to can gain a professional opinion . Ask them to refer you.

[atticus]

My advice to the OP would be, if the depot manager continues to act like this, to raise a grievance with your employer.

[sandfordboy]

Absolutely agree with Atticus.

[Ukmicky]

Are you in a union,they do come in handy sometimes ,especially if you were to put in a grievance

[dslippy]

Simple disability discrimination. Your employer has a duty to make reasonable adjustments to allow you to cary out the work required.

What is properly required as part of your job description we cannot say. What is a reasonable adjustment needs an assessment beyond the resources of a forum conversation.
Your doctor can assess your capacity, but not necessarily say whether you are fit to drive at all.