To ask to wfh full time (temporarily)

[UnsureHmm]

In my current role (started a month ago) I need to be in the office 2 days a week. The job can be done fully from home though.

The issue is I often leave the office with a migraine from the lights. I left the office yesterday at 4.30 and I still have a migraine now, even after taking medications etc.

The lights are standard bright LED lights and the office is really bright with loads of windows. There are a few darks booths/desks, but these are always full buy the time I get in, due to school drop off etc. I know that some people have reserved desks/booths due to medical needs etc.

Is it reasonable to ask to wfh full time until I can go through occupational health. I'm not too sure of how the whole thing works. I hope I could have a dark desk/booth reserved

Just to add, I have been diagnosed with migraines and bright light is a known trigger for me.

Just explain about the migraines from the lights, they may be able to sort the desk situation straight away. Asking to wfh may be treated with suspicion as you are so new

Talk to the manager about the reasonable adjustments you need. I would avoid mentioning the extra WFH until you have discussed things more generally.

I would ask for a dark desk be reserved straight away, or the lights dimmed if possible. If they say it might take some time to implement, that's when you ask to stay home until it's sorted.

Also if any employers are reading, stop forcing people into an office when the work can be done at home.

Is there a facilities team? Ask for the lux level to be checked.

As above, ask for a solution to the problem of migraines. They may offer WFH as a temporary solution.

Thanks for you replies in how to approach it. I have no issue being in the office 2 days a week (apart from the migrianes). In fact, I like getting out of my flat during the week.

Ask for a change of light bulbs we did this on one floor as the very bright lights were causing some issues. I think the replacements were daylight or blue toned lights.

Also, OH/ manager may mention this as an option themselves.

Go for the 'need a darker spot/ fixed desk' request first. If they cannot accommodate they will likely suggest WFH until they can.

I'm not a migraine sufferer so ignore me of this is a stupid suggestion, but is there special eyewear you could wear (eg sort of sunglasses) that you could wear to reduce the brightness? I remember working with a guy a while back who wore special dark glasses while working on screen (I don't know why). They didn't look too weird

There are glasses you can get that are for photophobia that should help. Maybe have a look into those as well as mentioning the issue to work.

You have a migraine right now? Then get off whatever device you are using.

When I have migraines, I'm flat on my back in the dark, rising only to vomit!

The reason WFH doesn’t always work is people take the piss - on my team we had a woman who had her 5 and 8 year old kids in her care whilst working.
Constantly nipping away ‘just for 5 mins’ - absolutely ruined their productivity so she was brought back into the office.

If people can get out of the mindset that WFH is a way to cut down on childcare then sure, but this wasn’t an isolated incident and several employees re-planned their childcare around them being at home.
That isn’t what WFH is for - it needs to be treated as if you’re in the office in terms of childcare.

I'd be reluctant to allow a new team member to wfh throughout the week unless it can be avoided. New staff need support and to build their knowledge and network.

See what can be adjusted before suggesting wfh.

I’m in the same boat, asking for an OH referral. WFH seems very reasonable as if it wasn’t they’d not let you do it 3 days a week.

If you approach me with the wfh thing, I'm going to guess that's your motivation.

Approach the issue with your concern - lights causing your migraine - what can be done to help you?

The company I work for are very strict on this. We all work from home full time (office is available if preferred) but it's in our contracts that children are in alternative childcare during working hours. But they are understanding if you have a poorly child at home. It works well.

I’d just contact line manager and say you suffer from migraines and are finding the office lights are triggering migraines which are usually well managed.
Could I work from a booth/desk away from lights.
Then take from there.
If you jump to full wfh request they may suspect it’s a try on.