I have a lower back problem which has been an issue for a long time now and will always be so. prognosis is unknown in terms of deterioration, but certainly not getting better/slowly getting worse for now.
I work in an operational role government, i.e. I see face to face clients, along with desk work. I have pretty good adjustments in place. My employers have historically been supportive; some managers better at this than others. Likewise, as a result, I have remained committed to my job, always work whenever I can, even when in some discomfort (to be fair that's most of the time), always give my job my all whenever I am able. Occupational Health have consistently deemed me to be fit to do my job as required, although I will remain subject to periods of relapse and subsequent absences, 'the frequency and length of which cannot be predicted'.
In the building I work in, there are numerous security/fire doors that are opened by swiping identity cards and pushing/pulling as usual; no automatic openings. I am finding the doors increasingly difficult to open due to the impact on my lower back, and naturally find myself using my upper back more to open doors (at work and elsewhere). There is approximately 14 doors from my desk, to an interview room, and back to my desk again. Four doors to the loo and back to my desk. I mentioned this a few years ago, before we split into two different companies, and nothing was done, but was not hugely problematic then, apart from during the one particularly bad relapse that led me to mention it, and which I got over eventually (til the next one) over the years I have sort of just accepted they are hard to open and adjusted the way I do it, or rely on colleagues to help whenever I can.
Anyway, back pain is worse than ever, and added to the mix is neck/upper back pain. Dr says likely due to changing how to do everyday things that would normally rely on my lower back muscles to using my upper back muscles, for which they are not designed.
I have spoken to my boss that the doors are heavy, confirmed it in email, and stressed the higher impact this is having now on my back pain increasing through the day. Agreed the doors needed to be looked at, to see if they can be adjusted to ale them lighter to open, for example.
Due to the building being 'leased' by another company (used to be part of our employer, now privatised), an OH referral had to be requested, to identify this as a need to be looked at, took a few weeks. Week before the appointment I was off with another relapse. The week of the appointmentt I was back at work but in a lot of pain. Then, after that, I have been off again, due to back and upper back/neck pain being unbearable.
The OH report confirmed that the doors are problematic, and that they need to be addressed, by getting an engineer or similar to identify how they can be fixed, suggested Access to Work to look at how they are designed.
Now. my problem is, the doors have not been fixed to date, although my boss has not confirmed this yet (I emailed on friday, so not huge notice). I am expected to return to work on Monday as my sick note ends, although my GP suggested longer off. As we all know, it's not that simple, work needs doing, clients need supporting, so do colleagues, as christmas is busy. I think, that, if I didn't have to contend with the doors, I would be significantly more ready to return to work.
Sorry that's long. I wanted all info so as not to drip feed. My question is, if my boss confirms the doors have not yet been fixed, and/or no other alternative option put in place to address the situation with the doors that will help me return to work, if I stay off work sick, is this classed as sickness absence, or can I ask for it to be considered as Disability Leave, as with the adjustments made, I would be fit to return to work? I guess OH will need to see me again to confirm that I would be fit to return to work if the doors were changed/made accessible?