Herniated disc - can I request a standing desk from employer?

[Nimblepimble]

I have a herniated a disc in my back and I don’t think this is helped by being at my desks for long periods a day. I can be on 7-8 hours of zoom meetings a day so difficult for me to get up and walk around. wfh.

do you think I could request a rising desk from my employer so I can stand? I see the legal requirements are desk (which I already had so employer did not provide) but not seen anything about providing a rising desk.

my Employer is lovely and I’m sure would say yes but don’t want to take advantage of his good nature if I am responsible for this special adaption

thanks

You can ask, no harm done. Or it be accepted that you join some calls say via a tablet or phone so you can stand and walk around?

Where I work you would have a full DSE assessment and then need medical proof from a gp or specialist or a referral to occupational health to get one. It seems bonkers to me if your department is willing to pay the money for it, but that's still the rules.

I should have added. Are you contracted to work from home or contracted to work from an office site, but they let you wfh? It makes a difference as there is no legal entitlement for DSE equipment for the home if your contract is office based.

Your employer is required by law to do a display screen equipment (DSE) risk assessment and put reasonable measures in place to control any risks identified, taking into account any pre-existing conditions such as your disc problem, and reduce the chances of further injury to you. So no, you wouldn’t be taking advantage to ask for a standing desk at all.

Ask for an Occupational Health referral. They then assess what you need and will provide for you

You have a condition that rates as a disability and need a small adjustment so you can work. That's not taking advantage!

Access to work can also advise your employer.

Get one of these

Yes, you will need an occupational health assessment for reasonable adjustments, but this could include screen breaks, too.

Often, the government gives employers grants to pay towards these adjustments, and the rest is tax deductible so your employer won't be overly burdened.

I have one of these:

https://www.posturite.co.uk/oploft-sit-stand-platform

its fan and wasn’t very expensive