The Issue
Client’s employer had changed some jobs and roles around due to budget issues, she had been moved from a heath care assistant to operations assistant and this job required her to do a lot of lifting. 7 years ago previously she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to have a mastectomy. Due to this she finds it very painful when lifting, her employer has told her not to lift anything heavy stating they do not want any of their employees lifting heavy things. But her job involves lots of lifting and she needs to do this to do her job.
EASS Advice and Support:
She called the EASS and was advised that cancer was classed as a disability and that the requirement to lift is placing her at a substantial disadvantage compared to her non-disabled colleagues.She has a lot of pain after lifting.We advised on reasonable adjustments and how they need to see what adjustments can be made to her current job and that a risk assessment should be carried out.We recommended she make a formal request for reasonable adjustments also advising on time limits should they refuse.
Client was referred to the EASS website for template letters for formally requesting reasonable adjustments at work.
Client called back to tell us after taking our advice this issue had been resolved; they had made adjustments and allowed her to work in a different department.
She was very happy with this and thanked us for our advice.