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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Boss employing disabled person.

63 replies

Flowersonethewall · 21/01/2014 12:55

I can't even believe i am writing this but her goes.

It has come to my bosses attention that he may get grants for employing a disabled worker. Fair enough.
The person she has picked though is completely wrong for the job.
We do a lot of heavy lifting and manual work. We also cut glass, wood etc..
The gentleman she has employed cannot do this jobs due to his disability. Their is literally nothing the poor man can do.
He can't be left alone either because its a dangerous place and he likes to touch things!
How the hell do i approach my boss without sounding like i'm discriminating which i'm not. I'm just concerned for his safety and my own.

OP posts:
DollyHouse · 21/01/2014 12:57

I like to touch things.

Welcome to mumsnet.

Original poster
Flowersonethewall · 21/01/2014 13:00

I name changed. I'm on here all the time.

I need advice on how the proceed before one of us ends up injured.

OP posts:
coppertop · 21/01/2014 13:01

Shouldn't the boss have carried out a risk assessment?

DollyHouse · 21/01/2014 13:01

I don't doubt you are Wink

JenBehavingBadly · 21/01/2014 13:03

Why are you so sure he can't lift things?

Also, it's the employers responsibility to make the reasonable adjustments for someone with a disability to work, so there's a cost associated, not just grants.

Oh and as someone with a disability who is employed with reasonable adjustments in a job that some people would think I couldn't do, YABU and woefully misinformed.

manicinsomniac · 21/01/2014 13:03

I'm sure appropriate measures and a job description have been put in place. The gentleman wouldn't have been employed otherwise. They just won't have explained it to you.

motherinferior · 21/01/2014 13:03

I think perhaps you, and/or your boss, should investigate these mythical 'grants'. They won't be cash. They will be to make reasonable adjustments and/or support for the disabled employee.

Original poster
Flowersonethewall · 21/01/2014 13:04

Risk assessment was done. She thought he would be able to use the till. He can't.

His support worker will be popping in on friday so i will peak to her then. He's only been here a couple of weeks so i suppose i should give it time.

OP posts:
DontmindifIdo · 21/01/2014 13:05

At the risk of sounding harsh, why is it your concern? If he's unable to do the job safely, isn't that his and her concern? If he's unable to do the work he's been given to do, are you expected to do it?

Or is it your boss has hired someone and you are now supposed to manage them and don't know how to?

If they are unable to do the job, even with allowances made for their disability, then I guess you will have to report that back to your boss. If you don't manage them and it's not your job to look out for their safety or make sure they are able to do their work, then just do nothing and see what happens.

DipDabDabDip · 21/01/2014 13:05

Are you responsible for him or just a co worker?

Original poster
Flowersonethewall · 21/01/2014 13:07

I'm responsible for him DIP. I don't know how or what to do.
I've just been thrown in at the deep end.

OP posts:
Original poster
Flowersonethewall · 21/01/2014 13:08

He struggles to lift things so he can't do that.

OP posts:
5Foot5 · 21/01/2014 13:09

At the risk of sounding harsh, why is it your concern?

Well it might be the OP's concern if this makes her own job more difficult. If, for example, she is having to cover large parts of this other person's job as well as her own. Or maybe she is being made to feel responsible for this other person's safety without appropriate training.

5Foot5 · 21/01/2014 13:09

x-post

PleaseJustLeaveYourBrotherAlon · 21/01/2014 13:09

what do you mean he "touches things" is there mental as well as physical disability?

PleaseJustLeaveYourBrotherAlon · 21/01/2014 13:10

Why wouldn't his support worker realised there would be a problem?

Original poster
Flowersonethewall · 21/01/2014 13:11

He's a great bloke.I feel like a right bitch even writing this but we're surrounded by machinery and the slightest mistake causes injury.

My boss assigned me to be his supervisor as well as doing my job. He's here 4 hours a day while i do 8 hours. So for 4 hours i have to keep my eye on him which is setting me back doing my own jobs. Then the boss has a go.

OP posts:
Original poster
Flowersonethewall · 21/01/2014 13:13

Yesplease. I don't know his ins and out of his disability but he picks things up when i tell him to be careful and he doesn't quite grasp that a chisel or a hacksaw could hurt hurt him.
I suppose i'm just treating him with kid gloves as i have had no training or experience with disabled people.

OP posts:
DelightedIAm · 21/01/2014 13:13

I don't understand these "grants" your boss thinks he can get. I suspect when he doesn't get them this guy will be out on his ear. Do you think your boss employed him as a scapegoat to bully?

Original poster
Flowersonethewall · 21/01/2014 13:14

His support worker meets him in the office and not on the work floor.

OP posts:
DelightedIAm · 21/01/2014 13:15

Who is the support worker? Which organisation do they work for?

badtime · 21/01/2014 13:15

Have you been a supervisor before? Have you had any training (in respect of supervising or disability)? Does this come with any more money for you?

If no, your problem is with your boss. You need support in this situation too, and it sounds like you are just being left to get on with things without any guidance on how.

Original poster
Flowersonethewall · 21/01/2014 13:15

Delighted the boss wouldn't bully him. She assumes she would get some sort of grant? or thats what i was told by other workers.

He's doing an nvq in retail at our place too.

OP posts:
motherinferior · 21/01/2014 13:16

Right. This isn't fair on him, or on you if he can't do the job. I think you have to talk to the support worker, explaining the job and demonstrating what it involves.

motherinferior · 21/01/2014 13:16

Employers do get grants but that is to support the disabled person.