Reasonable request Long Covid

[MrsT1704]

I am after some opinions on if you think this is a reasonable adjustment. I am classed as disabled under the disability act. Had 3 occupational health reports over the last 3 years confirming adjustments need to be made to my job.

Bullet points for some context

• I am a healthcare professional
• Have long COVID (since December 2020)
• Have postural tachycardia syndrome (POTs) which means my heart struggles to regulate itself sometimes, especially on exertion or if I change positions, have also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia
• been on long term sick for 5 months due to fatigue finally getting too much (also had stress at home that made fatigue worse)
• Returned to work this week on a phased return over 6 weeks

I work with children and my job can sometimes be active. Some children require handling because they can not move themselves. When they do this requires me to change postions, support them and change my posture in response to their movements.

This is about 20% if not less than the workload. Am I unreasonable to ask not to work with these children? Both because of the effect it has on my health but also safety of the children. I would be terrified I would lose balance, feel dizzy when holding a child

First week back and boss wants me to work with these children on week 3 to see how it goes. I expressed my concerns but in the end I agreed to see how it goes with additional support as brain fog has consumed me. Now thinking I am going to ask to have a reasonable adjustment

Interested to hear opinions

Do you think this may be a reasonable request (I know it depends on specifics but just want to know I am not being unreasonable to request it)

If it was me I would try it first, before I decided I couldn't do it.

I have done and unfortunatley made me unwell often and occasionally had to cancel appointments due to my health.

I think if you know your limits, explain this again. Say you are prepared to try again in the future if symptoms improve enough, but that time is not now. Unfortunately, your conditions are very poorly misunderstood. I think this is a reasonable adjustment, but I would talk to your boss again in advance.

In some ways, you may unfortunately damned if you do and damned if you don't. It might be perceived that you're not trying hard enough/milking it (part of poor understanding), yet it doesn't sound safe for the children or your health. Mind over matter doesn't work - if it did, there would be a lot less people suffering! Trying this in week three doesn't sound sensible at all. In reality, it's better to be able to do 80% of your job, than what may become much less/none of it. Good luck.

It all comes down to what's 'reasonable', who is going to work with the children if you don't? Would they have to employ someone else to do that role?

Unfortunately it might not be a reasonable adjustment on the work side of things. It sounds reasonable but in practice how is the work assigned. Would the adjustment affect meeting targets? If you can't do it you can't do it but depending on other factors could it make doing the job overall untenable?

It would help if OH specified what you can and can't do in your role.

Hello
I'm safely guessing you have your union involved?
I hear what you are saying but also try to be flexible and see how it goes.

Have you considered re-training and different line of work within the org or another place?

Yes, its all easier said than done, especially when one is as unwell as you are.
I wish you luck and a speedy recovery along with a job you are able to complete without becoming ill, missing "appointments" etc

Good luck

Your employer will have to look at the strain it puts on the rest of the team. Taking someone out of the moving and handling rotation might put too much strain on a small team.

I think it's fair to say you are unable to do the job you're employed to do. Very unfortunate you so many health conditions - many do and struggle on to pay the bills! Sounds like your employer has been very reasonable and you've had a lot of time off sick. Can you do a different job within the same department? Something that doesn't involve lifting babies/children which seems to be the issue. Ultimately if they have to employ another person to do the tasks you can't that's another salary.. guessing here but likely public sector healthcare professional and let's face it the whole thing is on its knees and being bled dry by thousands of workers and we blame the government for it all.