Health problem, work being difficult.

[LivingForTheWeekend]

I've NC'd for this in case it outs me.

I've got a minor ear defect which causes me intermittent hearing disturbance (poor hearing & tinnitus). After a cold recently, I've had a major earache in both ears & the loss is much worse. I had some time off (annual leave) & when I went back, I told my manager, as the job is partly phone based, although mostly emails. Managers attitude was that this is unacceptable & I need to be able to use the phone. Manager advised if I can't do the job I should be off sick. I told her I felt fine apart from the earache & she said I could have 1 day off the phone but that's it, back on it tomorrow. Ridiculous as I can't hear much!

I've suggested alternate areas of work to do within the team - not acceptable apparently.

I've got an appointment to speak to the doctor tomorrow to get my hearing properly assessed, as this is a long standing condition that gets worse every time I have a cold & I'm fed up of it.

Any advice or suggestions gratefully received!

It does sound like at the moment you are not fit to do your whole job.

The doctor should give you a fit note saying you are fit to do xyz but are not fit to do abc. You can give that to your employer.

They are not obliged to adjust duties to enable you to come into work if you are not fit for your whole job, but mostly do if it's possible.

It doesn't sound like the issue is likely to last long on this occasion though, if it's because of a cold, is that right?

You may want to look up the rules about "reasonable adjustments" for disabilities if this is a long-standing/permanent condition. It may (or may not) be reasonable that when you have these problems you should just do email work and take the email load of whoever is covering your phone duty, for example.

Have a look at your work policies - if any - on this.

Right. Have just spoken with the doctor. They are issuing a 'fit note'. I'm going to get a hearing test in a few weeks as well, as this is a temp flare up but there does seem to be a constant slight problem.

Am going to suggest (again) to my manager today, what alternate work I can do for the duration of the fit note. She is not going to be happy.

Thanks for the advice.

Well, just bear in mind that she doesn't have to accommodate adjustments to allow you back to work. Your fit note will say you are fit for work if xyz adjustments can be made. If the adjustments aren't made, then you are not fit.

If there is a disability issue that would be different, however I wouldn't expect them to automatically agree that a minor defect causing intermittent hearing disturbance which only impacts your work when you have a cold is a disability. They'd probably want expert medical opinion on that.