Would this be grounds for a transfer?

[Bouncingbelle]

I work for a local authority & work in the office furthest from my home. Am due to return from maternity leave shortly. The issue is that i was very very ill during pregnancy which has left me 'disabled'. Current office is on 1st floir with no disabled access. Some days i might not be able to cope with this plus with the commute it will be a really long day. Do ypu think i have grounds for asking for a transfer to a more local office in a building which has lifts etc? Tia.

Hard to say without more details really - when you say you are 'disabled' in inverted commas, does your condition meet the statutory definition of disabled, not trying to pry into medical details, but it makes a difference as to whether they are obliged to make reasonable adjustments for you? You certainly have a stronger case if you would be asking for the transfer as an adjustment for a legally recognised disability although it's not a given, the employer still has to agree it's 'reasonable' to transfer you.

It's also hard to say if a transfer would be 'reasonable' without knowing the nature of your work, would you be able to do your current role in the closer office or would you be asking them to find you a completely different job that is in that office? Obviously in some lines of work it would be fine to work wherever is convenient for you whereas if your work involves face to face interactions with clients or colleagues who are at your current office then it would be virtually impossible.

Have you been seen by OH and have they made some recommendations on how your condition is best managed at work, it would help your case if they can do so (whether or not you are 'disabled' in the eyes of the law, they can advise on pretty much any health condition). If it's affecting your health I would certainly ask your manager, perhaps also think of some compromises if they say it's not possible, e.g. if they can't transfer you full-time could you do 2 or 3 days in current office and remainder either from home or closer office? Could they give you a desk on the ground floor? Could you compress your hours so you only commute 4 days a week? Good luck, hope it gets sorted.