Job offer withdrawn because I asked for a stool

[Charliescar]

I was offered a job as a receptionist and they wanted me stand for 30 hours - one day for 9 hours . No stool at the reception desk .
I said I would accept if they provided a stool and that I have done the same job with a stool and it was fine . They said it would make the reception area less efficient. I am not sure if this is ok ? Any experts ?

[Hoppinggreen]

Unless you have a disability and they refused to make “ reasonable adjustments “ I think they are allowed to do it
It is ridiculous though and if I were you I wouldn’t want to work there

[Drabarni]

If it was a hotel, they all seem to operate like this, what type of business is it and did it state in application ability to stand for long periods.?

[Lobsterbiscuits]

Are you disabled?

[Raphael34]

I think yabu. I’ve never been in a job where I’ve been allowed to sit down at all, apart from breaks. I’ll be on my feet walking constantly carrying heavy objects for 12-18 hours. Unless you’re disabled it should be a problem just stood behind a desk

[Raphael34]

Shouldn’t

[PurpleDaisies]

I don’t think that’s unreasonable unless there’s a reason you need a stool.

[Funghi]

If it’s for a medical centre or similar then they might have the wrong impression and think you’re being unreasonable/grim.

[Ilikewinter]

I remember reading your post over the weekend, I thought then it was ridiculous to accept the job only if the employer met your demands..you knew at the interview what the job entailed. You knew you couldnt stand for 9 hours (minus your break) as it gave you bunions and back ache. If I was the employer I wouldnt be giving you the job either.

[AmIThough]

Was it in the job description you'd need to stand?
Is there a medical reason you can't stand?
Was it discussed at interview stage?

[Charliescar]

It’s a hairdresser . I would obviously stand whilst dealing with clients but it would be nice to have the opportunity to sit at wuiet times as I would not be able to move from
The desk . I have worked in retail for 20 years and you move around . It’s when you literally stand there you feel tired .

[Charliescar]

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask for a stool
😭

[cowfacemonkey]

Was it actually withdrawn though? You said you would accept the offer is there was a stool, presumably they said no stool so you declined the job offer?

[Charliescar]

Tbh , I don’t want to work for someone who doesn’t want to look after their staffs wellbeing . I have worked 8 hour days standing , but moving around .

[cowfacemonkey]

To fair do you really want to work for such an unaccommodating company?

[cowfacemonkey]

cross post

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask for a stool

It's not that it's unreasonable to ask; it's that unless you have a medical reason for requesting it; they can say no.

I'm sorry that they did, though.

[Charliescar]

Yes they have withdrawn as they have said the job won’t work for me . It’s a shame , I am really good receptionist

[littleorangecat22]

I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a place to sit, but this is something I'd have brought up after starting work. Bringing in a stool probably wouldnt have got you fired, but picking about having one beforehand probably made you seem 'difficult', unfortunately

[InsertFunnyUsername]

I think they have labelled you as difficult so you have had a luck escape anyway. YWNU in asking. I worked in hairdressing both front reception then styling. If we weren't with clients then there was no way we would stand all day. Theres just no need to tbh.

[Charliescar]

I think it’s best to be open with people . I work for lovely people now and previously that treat their staff with respect and treat them like people , rather than objects .That’s the main reason I left retail.

[Bellringer]

Wasn't there som health and safety ru lie about this?

[Charliescar]

Thank you insert ! I know you stand to deal with the client obviously 🙄

[Cattenberg]

I wouldn’t want to work there. Walking around for eight hours is one thing, but standing in one place for the best part of eight hours is awful.

I work in an office now, and I do have to walk around some of the time. But, I also have a chair. I can just imagine the outcry if we had to give up our chairs and stand behind our desks. There would be protests and mass resignations for sure.

[Charliescar]

I am very experienced in a receptionist role , so they have lost out .

[CescaNicole]

I do not think you are being unreasonable. It is a shame that they have withdrawn the offer on that basis alone, and a sign that they are probably not the best company to work for anyway.

There is a comfy stool at another reception job waiting for you I'm sure!