to ask for reasonable adjustments at work due to migraines?

[lastofthesmalltownplayboys]

I've suffered from migraines since being a teen but they've only really affected work in the last two years or so. I've gone from having a couple of days off a year, to having several months off during 2022, mostly whilst trying to find a preventative medication that works.

I was diagnosed as suffering from chronic migraines and am now having a monthly injection under the hospitals neurology department. This is working, and I am relieved to say I've gone from having 16+ migraine days a month to 1-3 and they're not nearly as bad, I recover much more quickly and am having 1 day a month off if that.

I have a hybrid working arrangement and am expected to do 2/3 days a week in office. It was previously agreed I could do half days in office - the office is very modern, think every surface bright white, overhead leds etc and the light is a main trigger for migraine attacks. They're now pushing me to go in for whole days, but I honestly don't think I can. The days I'm expected in office are consecutive and they can't guarantee me a seat somewhere now directly under bright lights.

AIBU to ask to WFH more, or are there other reasonable adjustments that might be less disruptive?

You can ask for more WFH flexibility.

You could also request a designated desk in an area with more suitable lighting.

Off the top of my head, reasonable adjustments I have been given for migraine are:

Reduced fragrance workplace - everyone had to get rid of their reed diffusers and cleaning stuff was changed
Desk assessment - got computer set up changed and blue light filter
Replacing a flickering light that was triggering me
Fixed desk instead of hotdesking

So I think asking about the light is a reasonable adjustment as is not sitting under it

Unfortunately I also worked in an unreasonable workplace who did sweet FA except disciplinary for sickness. I don't work there now.

Your employer needs to get you a DSE assessment (display screen equipment assessment). It’s actually a legal requirement for employers, for any member of staff who uses dse equipment continuously for more than an hour. There is lots of information online about it if you know to search the term DSE assessment, and various companies who will come in to your workplace to conduct this on your employers behalf (if you don’t work for a large company whose health and safety department already cover this internally).
As a PP has stated, there’s a lot that can be done for migraine sufferers to make adjustments to screens and lighting, to desk and furniture materials etc which by law an employer must take on board. And if the changes can’t be made to the office, then hybrid working or full time at home will be advised where applicable. Might be worth reading up online and sending your boss/HR team a few links to facts on the hse.gov.uk website…

You are definitely not being unreasonable, they should be supporting you with this. Have you had an occupational health assessment? As others have said, there is a lot that can and should be done to support you here.

Just wanted to say I really feel your pain. I studied chemistry for A Level while being prone to migraines. The board, chairs, walls, worktops etc were all bright white like a laboratory and I used to really suffer with it. Hope you get it sorted with work soon!

I have a fixed desk with the light above turned off. You can get mats to stop reflection on desks too and light blockers ("supervisors") which work pretty well.

WFH would be a good compromise though.

If your headaches have improved since reasonable adjustments have been in place then it doesn't make sense to stop the adjustments (you may have no way of knowing if it is the injections or the reasonable adjustments or the combination that have improved things).
Re the glare- I was moved from an area with horrible lighting to a special desk by a window/natural lighting. Made a huge difference.

Thanks for all the suggestions and sympathy so far!

So they're saying they can't offer me a fixed desk for the days I'm due in office, which is why I'm leaning towards pushing to WFH? I'd rather still go in to the office if possible as I enjoy it (when I don't get a migraine!)

The company don't actually have a HR department let alone any kind of occupational health team. Can I still ask for a desk assessment? Do I need to prove my diagnosis as I believe it is technically classed as a disability under the Equality Act? Could this work against me?

Dose assessment and then get funding from access to work for all the things you might need. Good chair, anti glare screen, speech software. Lower light in your part of the office. Get occupational health involved. I’ve just done all of this for one of my team members and it’s surprising how much occ health suggested. Also then you can be protected from discrimination for being off work. Good luck

Just saw your message op, we got an outside agency to do the occupational health assessment.

Perhaps you could ask for a referral to occupational health and see what they say. I've had two referrals done in the last six months and on the last one they confirmed my condition is covered by the equality act so work would have issues if they didn't honour the recommendations - thankfully they are very supportive and are following everything.

I was going to say same as pp. Ask for an occupational health assessment. Their recommendations for reasonable adjustments carry more weight.
Fixed desk , adjustment/ control to lighting, WFH all sound like reasonable adjustments.

If you don't have occupational supportat work, I would call ACAS to see what they suggest.

I had chronic migraines and a temporary help was tinted glasses to help with the lights and screens at work. They did fix a flikkering light and turn off one over head light but the tinted glasses helped a bit. Like you I had months off work and lots of time in hospital luckily only have a few days a months now.

I think the official way to do it would be to ask for a work place risk assessment. All seems completely reasonable, and surely you'd be more productive in a non-migraine triggering environment, so a win-win.