Home Visit From Work

[Tulip7]

I had surgery to my knee mid-April and have been on sickness absence from work since. As per protocol, my line manager and someone from HR are coming to my house tomorrow to discuss going back to work.

I'm currently on crutches, 50% weight bearing (was 25%, but recently increased to 50% following an xray.) Anyhoo, I've already felt pressure from work about going back on phased return. I have no issue with this as at the end of my current fit note I'd
have used most of my sickness 'allowance' if you want to call it that (we get 12 weeks full pay.)

I work 55 minutes drive one way from home and live about a 15 minute walk (unaided) from the train station, with the train journey taking just over an hour.

AIBU that if I'm going back to work and working from home to request I have the proper work station set up, rather than being asked to work from my laptop? I have 2 computer screens in work, and whilst it's not impossible to work from one screen, 2 makes for more efficient working.

No, not unreasonable to ask at all. I hope you co to us to recover well.

Co to us = continue!

They are obliged to set you up properly. I would have thought they’d be extra careful because of the nature of your hopefully temporary disability. At my work we have the same set up at home as in the office, so if you have two screens, ask for two screens. They also need to set you up with a proper chair and correct desk keyboard etc. Health & safety applies wherever you work. Don’t let them wriggle out of it either!

You might be eligible for access to work taxis temporarily, it is worth looking into, you usually need to contribute the cheapest public transport fare for the same journey (bus usually) your work pay it and claim it back from ATW. This was the case for one of my team, she didn't want to work from home as she's been out of the team for a while and we and she felt she would blur boundaries and work late etc at home, rather than gradual return (I used to take her laptop off her when she was going on leave, she was notorious for working when she should be off, and I think work home life balance is important, yes I am that boss). You can call ATW yourself and ask for advice

Thanks all. I've got the meeting today, eek!

Always ask. It sounds like you'll be working from home for a while so I'd think a good employer would help you be as efficient as you can. At the end of the day, the worst they can say is no so I'd definitely ask.

"They are obliged to set you up properly ... They also need to set you up with a proper chair and correct desk keyboard etc. Health & safety applies wherever you work. Don’t let them wriggle out of it either!"

This is not entirely true and you shouldn't present this as correct. Her work only has to make reasonable adjustments to allow her to work from home - if they think she can get the work done from the laptop, they certainly don't have to provide her with two monitors and a desk and an ergonomic keyboard and whatever else. It's all about what is reasonable given the circumstances.

Certainly ask for it but don't necessarily expect it.