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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for reasonable adjustments at work?

45 replies

wingsnthat · 01/05/2021 17:25

Hi, I suffer from a chronic form of eczema. Currently my skin is super sensitive - I saw a dermatologist this morning. The goal is to manage my condition long term but at the moment it’s pretty much the worst it’s ever been. “Friction” is my biggest trigger; my body can’t tolerate it and produces an OTT reaction

At work my dress code is formal and women are expected to wear heels. Heels all day are a physical irritant for most people, but I get an extended reaction. The areas affected by friction get a large rash which gets a bit scabby, the pain/redness lasts for weeks and it turns into post inflammation hyperpigmentation. It then can’t wear other shoes that touch the same area eg back of ankle.

I want to avoid this rigamarole as much as possible, so would it be reasonable to request that I am allowed to wear flat shoes at work? Something similar to what men are allowed to wear ie smart loafers

Other triggers are air conditioning and fragranced products. Could it be deemed reasonable if I ask to permanently sit away from the air conditioning as typically my desk is right under it? And with fragranced products, if i bring in my own hand soaps/sanitisers to use? The problem here is that after WFH, hot desking is the current policy so I would be going against that by asking for a permanent desk

OP posts:
MummytoCSJH · 01/05/2021 18:32

Also, forcing female staff to wear make up and heels could count as sex discrimination. As far as I know this can be even if it's not official disciplinary action as such but even your superiors are making harrassing comments about them and creating a hostile work environment. If you visit this page www.gov.uk/government/publications/dress-codes-and-sex-discrimination-what-you-need-to-know it explains this, including saying that dress codes including women wearing heels can be direct discrimination if men only have to wear 'smart' shoes, or indirect discrimination re disabled employees if the heels are likely to worsen a condition.

MadeOfStarStuff · 01/05/2021 18:40

YANBU but any employer who requires women to wear heels (which is discrimination) is probably likely to ignore their duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabilities.

Branleuse · 01/05/2021 18:44

I think if you were to get smart shoes that were comfortable for your medical condition, they wouldnt have a leg to stand on if they complained

nokidshere · 01/05/2021 18:45

I wouldn't even be asking for anything except the desk situation. No one can enforce wearing of heels and use of fragranced sanitisers. No one in their right mind would even try to enforce that now. You don't need a disability to not comply with such nonsense.

SnowdaySewday · 01/05/2021 18:51

Under the Equality Act 2010, someone is disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

If your organisation has HR, contact them.

Whether it is manager or HR, make sure you get their response in writing. You may need it if a future manager tries to make changes that affect you.

AuditAngel · 01/05/2021 19:06

One small thing, I was allergic to the soap at work, turned out three of us were allergic. As soon as the soap purchaser found out, they changed the soap, in consultation with the three of us to another in the same brand we were all ok with. Sometimes you just need to tell people,

ivfgottwins · 01/05/2021 19:14

I would refer your employers to a court case brought by a pwc employer regarding being forced to wear heels......whilst the government debated her petition and declined to change the law they did say that was because she was already protected under sex discrimination laws ie do men have a similar dress code

So I'd start with that. Also have a dedicated desk etc I don't see an issue with - all seems pretty reasonable

PattyPan · 01/05/2021 19:19

Yikes your dress code sounds outdated! I can’t see that they would be able to object to any of those adjustments. My office also has hot desking but permanent desks for people who have special chairs.

IWantWhatShesHaving · 01/05/2021 19:29

This takes me back. In the mid 80s I worked somewhere where the skirt had to be:

Black
One inch above the knee
With a split. The longer the better.

Tights were black. As sheer as possible.

Shoes black and at least two inch heel.

Failure to wear the correct outfit and you’d get sent home with a day’s less pay.

Thank god we are in the 2020s where this kind of shit is unacceptable in the workplace

FightingTheFoo · 01/05/2021 19:33

Say you identify as a man. That should get you out of having to wear high heels and make up.

tiredanddangerous · 01/05/2021 19:42

The dress code says you have to wear heels to work?? Do you work in the 1950s?!

Sooperdooper19 · 01/05/2021 19:46

Bless you! The heel thing is ridiculous so you’re definitely NBU and the rest, any reasonable employer would want their employee to be as comfortable as possible and therefore more productive! So no YANBU. Good luck!

Nippybutsweet · 01/05/2021 19:47

Self ID as a dude, nothing they can do Wink

Voomster953 · 01/05/2021 20:09

@Aprilx

I have a chum who works for one of the top investment banks who told me that female secretaries and client facing women were required to wear heels.

I think they were pulling your leg. I have worked in several investment banks since the 1990s and have never come across such a dress code.

I wondered if he was but apparently not. He doesn’t think it’s ‘legislated’ per se, but said there’s heavy pressure from within. But only for certain roles. Which is potentially worse really. I text him as I didn’t want to inadvertently speak nonsense. But it’s all moot at the mo as they’re mainly working from home.
NotMeNoNo · 01/05/2021 20:15

It might help to go prepared with a picture of the shoes you intend to wear, and specialists letter supporting if they are going to be difficult. Its possible to get a low wedge with a strap or something similar that would still look smart. Pavers/ECCO/Hotter sort of thing. In case they think you want to come in crocs or something.

Cherrysoup · 01/05/2021 20:16

My manager does jokingly “call people out” on things like lack of makeup so I am assuming he would do the same here

Definitely this needs raising with HR, it’s pure discrimination, as is the high heels thing. I’m genuinely gobsmacked at this. Surely the manager cannot enforce or even jokingly mention this without all female staff coming down on him like a ton of fucking bricks? At work, the Science staff were told no open shoes due to the risk of chemicals, but that was a health and safety thing. There is no reason make up and heels should be obligatory! Disgraceful. Not sure I’d want to work in such an old fashioned outmoded environment with such a wanker for a manager.

RedcurrantPuff · 01/05/2021 20:18

A dress code that expects women to wear heels is unacceptable and sexist claptrap notwithstanding any health issues. I would just start wearing comfortable shoes and wouldn’t even consider “requesting” it.

RedcurrantPuff · 01/05/2021 20:23

@Aprilx

I have a chum who works for one of the top investment banks who told me that female secretaries and client facing women were required to wear heels.

I think they were pulling your leg. I have worked in several investment banks since the 1990s and have never come across such a dress code.

Not a bank but I remember this story re a young woman who worked for PwC
Original poster
wingsnthat · 03/05/2021 17:59

Hi everyone,

Thank you all for taking the time to reply. Your responses definitely gave me a better understanding and helped me flesh out my thoughts, so really appreciate your support!

It’s a bit anti-climatic actually. I was ready to stand my ground today and go to HR etc but my manager was fine with the adjustments. I’m a bit embarrassed as I felt borderline tearful when informing him about my skin conditionConfused which probably made him take it more seriously - but hey-ho, hopefully my skin will get better soon now that I’m not faffing around with heels!

OP posts:
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