Occ Health ref - can they fire me for mobility probs??

[ARoomSomewhere]

Just started a new job.
At interview i attended on double crutches and explained i have a longterm mobility issue (much surgery likely ongoing).
I was told i'd need to work at the branch which is 15m from my home but attend the other branch every six weeks (40m away). I agreed.
I've now been told I have to attend that branch each week and that i was told this at interview (I dont remember that bit...).
I said i'd try to arrange it. They were :? and have ref me to Occ Health and diarised in my 3m performance review already.
I have no contract of employment yet despite being paid for 2 weeks (started 17th). My main branch has stairs. I have to carry laptop and files etc upstairs and the loo is downstairs. Its not that easy. Boss rolled her eyes and said: 'its a steep learning curve for you isnt it?' (I am returning to work after some years). I feel they are waiting to fire me.

Can they fire me over this? There was a lot of pressure to sign the OH form (which I did)

I've now had an email to say i have to go to the further away place every week :(

They cannot fire you for using crutches, and they have to make reasonable adjustments eg arranging security to carry belongings upstairs but this doesn't extend to a different workplace - if this is where they need you. I had my place of work changed three times and you have no say, if you don't like it quit we were told. There are better employers out there, if you have just returned to employment, try and hang in there long enough to find work elsewhere, easier to get a job when you have one already!

thanks for replying.
there is no security so i have to carry my work laptop etc upstairs with my crutches - its not very safe.

Can another member of staff help or could you get a different bag that makes it easier to carry your laptop?

Can you use a rucksack for your laptop?

I would not be going up and down stairs using crutches let alone having to carry anything, that is really unsafe and I would not risk myself. Can they not create an office area for you downstairs, how do you travel, I would be looking for another job straight away, I am guessing you should have had a risk assessment done before you started, ACAS might know. Have you been given a terms of employment letter and have you signed it, did you need to fill out any sort of health assessment form.

If you have been there less than two years, you have very few employment rights

Yes a rucksack would be sensible.
I still have to go downstairs if i need the loo tho.
No contract of employment yet no.
Theyve got me to fill out an Occ Health form and put in my 3 month review date already

I don’t think the review date is sinister. I’ve also started a new position and my 3, 6 and 12 month review dates are in the calendar.

"Steep learning curve"
Cheeky bitch!

Fair point Agent. I just thought it odd before my contract was signed?

Maybe i'm overthinking it. I'm so sodding tired. Even getting through the heavy doors is hard. I was told i could work downstairs. But no. Told the far location was every 6 weeks. Then every fortnight. Now every week.

The lass who did my job last year it was every fortnight and the other day she got to work from home. She has no additional needs (she volunteered to me when we were chatting about it - she says they are awful and lie through their teeth about where they need you to be).

Ah well. I spent today doing Stat and Mand elearning about 'Health and Safety at work' then given my Guardian 24 alarm for lone working which again i was told would not be part of the job

Please look into Access to Work without delay. You have 6 weeks to apply within starting without it costing the organisation anything.

Your supervisor is a dick, mobility issues are not a “steep learning curve”. They can’t fire you for this, but it doesn’t mean they won’t try. Phone ACAS.

The steep learning curve lady brings her wee dog in sometimes too. I have a dog myself am very much a doggy person. But they can be a trip hazard. I live in a bungalow partly for this reason. Its not going to work, is it? :(

Macosie, she may have few rights but she has protection by law as it sounds like she is covered by the equalities act.

Don’t look at it like that, look up A2W tonight and get your ducks in a row for applying tomorrow. Phone acas tomorrow night. Keep your chin up, this is not ok.

It doesn't sound a great place to work, if it doesnt feel right and they are telling lies already and making things difficult is it worth the hassle of staying there, is it a great job, great pay, great people, if not then look for something else where they are more professional and caring.