Lifts/claustrophobia

[Heavenonastick]

Colleague of mine has bad claustrophobia and hates lifts, our office is currently on 1st floor but we are moving to an office on the 12th floor, my colleague is asking for their role to remain on the 1st floor however a great deal of the role requires attendance of meetings on the 12th floor plus the obvious interactions with the whole team. Would it be unreasonable to expect them to walk up 12 floors every day?

[InTheBox]

Not unreasonable at all. Perhaps they can seek help/advice to deal with the claustrophobia but I wouldn't find it acceptable for one member of the team to remain on 1st floor.

What if another team moving in there or indeed if the whole office was moving to another location which would be on a higher floor? There's a lift and there's a staircase - that covers everything a reasonable employer should provide in this circumstance.

[MrsLeighHalfpenny]

Sounds like there's no alternative. Has colleague had therapy for the claustrophobia?

[deliveredby]

I have this same issue, I would walk to 12th floor and have done so .

[Heavenonastick]

I think they have had cbt in the past but are also going to be referred to occupational health for more support.

[WorraLiberty]

If they're able bodied, then YANBU they should walk.

[Heavenonastick]

Oh good I was worried I was being unsympathetic!

[MsTargaryen]

As long as their claustrophobia doesn't affect their ability to use the stairs, YANBU.

[WorraLiberty]

You'll all be jealous of their leg muscles in a few months

[OneDay103]

Yanbu, she has an option which is walking up. An entire team can't revolve around one person.

[tectonicplates]

Are there any other floor options, for example the second or third floor which would make it easier to walk up?

[Jolyn1]

I think 12 stairs is ok, taking into account he goes out to lunch, it's ok twide a day. He doesn't have to walk it up fast, he can make stops. Actually it's a good workout, maybe he will even feel better. Before I had my LO I used to walk every day 6 floors to my office and again after lunch, I have no problem with lifts, but tried to incorporate exercise into my workday because I often didn't find time after work.
It will make him to seek therapy or work out, both are good things.

[Wryip11]

I just hope you give him/her an extra 30 mins for the walk each day and have a defibrillator on standby at the top!!!
I hate lifts and thee is no way I could walk 12 floors (up anyway) every day without a heart attack so they have my sympathy but then I understand your dilemma too and would not even have asked to stay on the first floor - I would lump it or get another job!