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Original poster

Is this disability discrimination?

184 replies

oldandknackerd · 19/02/2025 15:58

My current workplace is relocating to a site that will be at least a 45 drive away which although not ideal is fine (I currently work 10mins away from home and this was one of the reasons I applied.
Unfortunately my car is 14 years old and although very reliable it's age does means a large repair bill could happen if something was to go wrong and there's no way i can afford to pay a large bill without saving up for it ....
I could in theory get public transport to the new site but it would take me 3 buses and a 20 minute walk (total nearly 2 hours each way )
Due to having severe arthritis cold and fatigue are things that make my condition worse (I already have a couple of small 'reasonable adjustments in place to accommodate this)and reality don't think i could manage the journey via public transport if for any reason I couldn't use my car .

My point is could or should my organisation be making a reasonable adjustment under the DDA for the above scenario?

Just for clarity I earn 25k a year as a lone parent so there is no way i can afford to buy a newer car ..

OP posts:
Original poster
oldandknackerd · 22/02/2025 11:47

KilkennyCats · 22/02/2025 11:43

So why are you here, asking randoms on the Internet?!

Show quote history

It was due to this thread that I was advised to contact ACAS and my union

OP posts:
madamweb · 22/02/2025 12:11

KilkennyCats · 22/02/2025 11:35

Is fatigue a common side effect of arthritis?

Show quote history

Tell me you don't know about autoimmune conditions without telling me you don't know about autoimmune conditions

KilkennyCats · 22/02/2025 12:12

madamweb · 22/02/2025 12:11

Tell me you don't know about autoimmune conditions without telling me you don't know about autoimmune conditions

Show quote history

I’m not telling you anything (I wasn’t even talking to you).
I asked op a question.

mummyh2016 · 22/02/2025 13:52

@oldandknackerd would it really take 2 hours via public transport? If so this wouldn't be a viable option anyway so I'm not sure why you even mentioned it. I'd be shocked if your employer expects you to do a 4 hour daily commute for a £25k salary! Considering they're covering everyone's travel costs I'd have thought it would work out cheaper for them to put a coach or a bus on to take everyone to work.

Original poster
oldandknackerd · 22/02/2025 15:12

mummyh2016 · 22/02/2025 13:52

@oldandknackerd would it really take 2 hours via public transport? If so this wouldn't be a viable option anyway so I'm not sure why you even mentioned it. I'd be shocked if your employer expects you to do a 4 hour daily commute for a £25k salary! Considering they're covering everyone's travel costs I'd have thought it would work out cheaper for them to put a coach or a bus on to take everyone to work.

Yes it's definitely 2 hours via public transport. A bus was considered but due to shift patterns it's not a viable option. TBH most of the lower paid staff members have found alternative roles nearer to home -unfortunately mine is a niche and rather specific role. There are very few alternative options open to me

OP posts:
Whyherewego · 22/02/2025 15:37

To be honest a 2 hour commute each way isn't going to be easy for anyone, let alone with medical conditions. I can't understand why redundancy isn't on the table given that. It is not about disability even, but any person would struggle to accommodate an extra 2 to 3 hours in their day for commuting.

MargaretThursday · 22/02/2025 16:02

Whyherewego · 22/02/2025 15:37

To be honest a 2 hour commute each way isn't going to be easy for anyone, let alone with medical conditions. I can't understand why redundancy isn't on the table given that. It is not about disability even, but any person would struggle to accommodate an extra 2 to 3 hours in their day for commuting.

That's only public transport. The majority probably drive, and for some of them it may well be closer.

Whyherewego · 22/02/2025 16:25

MargaretThursday · 22/02/2025 16:02

That's only public transport. The majority probably drive, and for some of them it may well be closer.

Show quote history

Right but normal process in a relocation situation is that the commutes per individual are looked at. So of course so e people will have it better but for those who have it harder then they would normally be offered something. Typical options include

  • compensation for additional costs for a defined period
  • schedule of shuttle bus from station to office if its not near transport
  • redundancy if it's beyond reasonable and my view is 2hr commute each way is not reasonable

Companies cannot assume people have cars/drive unless it was specified at the outset as a requirement of the role

MargaretThursday · 22/02/2025 16:30

Whyherewego · 22/02/2025 16:25

Right but normal process in a relocation situation is that the commutes per individual are looked at. So of course so e people will have it better but for those who have it harder then they would normally be offered something. Typical options include

  • compensation for additional costs for a defined period
  • schedule of shuttle bus from station to office if its not near transport
  • redundancy if it's beyond reasonable and my view is 2hr commute each way is not reasonable

Companies cannot assume people have cars/drive unless it was specified at the outset as a requirement of the role

Show quote history

But the Op has a car. So it's not a 2hr journey for her. She said earlier that there was a compensation for distance for the next 4 years.

So they have done this.

They may well have talked to someone who didn't drive and had to go by public transport, but the Op wouldn't know, and it's not her problem.

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