Reasonable adjustments for disability

[wobbledobbleflobble]

I am looking for a job and have a long-term health condition. Can anyone help me understand how asking for "reasonable adjustments" works in practice in relation to working from home?

The one thing that would would help me the most is complete home working, but the jobs I am interested in and qualified for seem mostly to be hybrid, split between the office and home.

So does this mean I can apply and ask for a reasonable adjustment to try for complete home working?! It seems really cheeky to do that, but then how else does it work if you need a different place of work due to disability?

The trouble is with a lot of effort I could probably manage hybrid working for a period of time, but it would be miserable and a bit grim. So should I struggle through at first and then ask for help, or assume that hybrid works are exactly that, hybrid, and I can only apply for complete wfh jobs?

I think you are perhaps expecting that a "reasonable adjustment" means that you get it if you ask for it, and timing is the only factor. A reasonable adjustment has to be reasonable for the employer as well, and your want / need to work from home and not office or hybrid working may never be reasonable for them. And I am speaking as someone with a disability who mostly works from home but still needs to be in the workplace at times. I simply wouldn't assume that if you get a few weeks / months under your belt and then ask, that you stand a better chance of them agreeing, so I would ask at interview - in fact I might very well ask before applying and save myself time and trouble applying for a job I could never do.

I do think it's ok to ask - then both parties know where they stand. Like you, working from home is much easier on me for all sorts of reasons. But there are things that I cannot do from home, and there are things that could be done from home but are better done in the workplace for a variety of reasons. The other problem with home working is that it makes forming working relationships harder - no amount of Teams or Zoom makes up for all the non-verbal cues and other aspects of person to person situations. So I would think about the pro's and con's and be able to present your case based on a realistic assessment of what you want / need, what you think they might want or need, and whether the two align. They won't always, and that is something you'll have to accept.

I have the same problem and I do have to go into the office or client meetings 2-4 times a month but I work part time. Theses days leave me exhausted and often in pain and it takes me 24-48 hours to recover. That’s why I work part time.

i minimise the physical activity in travelling - drive instead of public transport, or take public transport that requires the fewest steps rather than the shortest journey. .

its really hard working with a disability and when I get sick even with a cold I am often fill worse and for longer due to my underlying conditions. Part time allows me to hide my disability more and so does WFH.

if you decide you do need a 100% WFH job then look for one that is specifically that. Most employers want to see some flexibility even from their disabled employees and there are many more hybrid roles. It is a lot better than it was before covid.

I didn’t work for months due to my disability but new drugs have helped and going back to work has been challenging but worth it both financially and mentally. I also try and make my diet good, rest when I can and try and make myself as fit to work as possible. I do look forward to retiring (early) in 6-8 years time!