expected to travel unreasonably

[SunshineNDaisies]

My team cover the whole of our part of the country - Scotland basically. But the team are all based in the central belt of Scotland (so we all live in or around Glasgow, Stirling, Edinburgh).

We've been given particular local authorities to cover. I have not been given the local authority in which I actually live, nor the neighbouring local authorities, including the one my office is based in.

I used to cover these areas but since I had a disagreement with a local supplier (I won the disagreement, my director agreed I was right), my manager appears to have changed my areas as a result of it.

I have now been given the western isles, shetland, orkney, dumfries and the borders. Dumfries alone, would be a 5 hour journey there and back for me. The islands would be a longer journey, and potentially an overnight stay.

I have a child. I also have disabilities. I can drive but it is much more tiring for me. One of my colleagues based outside Edinburgh also has 2 children but has been given areas near to her and has no disabilities.

Three other team members have no children.

What should I say and do?

If your disabilities mean this is impractical for you, you should point out to your employer that this is potentially disability discrimination. They need to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate your disability. If that means you need to be given a more local area they must do so. If they say that isn't possible and you take them to tribunal they will have to justify their position. I think they would struggle justifying making you travel long distances whilst colleagues who live in the same area as you and don't have a disability have much shorter journeys.