Lighting at work - migraines

[Readysteadife]

I currently have my own little office at work . I just use a desk light .

The rooms in my office all have awful strip lighting which gives me terrible migraines . I take medication for my migraines .

Work are fully aware of this .

I have been told I need to move rooms and will be sharing with 2 other colleagues. I am happy to share ! However , they have just said they will remove the strip lighting from my end of the room . It’s not a very big room - living room size I would say .

I am not sure this will work and I do not feel like they are taking me seriously. I cannot ask my colleagues to work without lights, especially in the winter . It’s fine now .

Has anyone any advice on how to handle this . I do not want to have migraines every day

Ask for a referral to your work occ health. They can work with you to see if your migraines meet the criteria for a disability and if they do, help you get reasonable adjustments in the office.

I don’t think we have occupational health

Definitely ask for OH referral and assessment. Take medical evidence to that appointment, meds you take, how your condition affects you, what adjustments help you manage your condition.
Usually only very large employers have their own OH. Yours will have a service they can buy into.

It's often Bupa

there are light shades called super visors which you can use to shield yourself.

thought I’ve often thought a parasol would be a good option and be quite cheerful!

I really hate strip lights

https://www.visionaid.co.uk/supervisor

think you need to chat with your manager. Mention duty of care, reasonable adjustments

Does that visor go over your head ?

Oh they won’t get bupa for me ! I am admin 😂

To be honest , I don’t think they are taking my needs seriously?

i think if the strip light is still in the room I assume it is still going to affect me .

It’s on an adjustable arm, so can be placed wherever you need it. They come with a clamp or a base, just like an adjustable desk lamp.

Also, don’t know what colour your desks are, but a black desk mat can help with light reflection

If you have an OHS they are likely to say that you’re probably covered by the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), so would be breaking the law not to implement recommendations

The DDA was repealed in 2010 - it is now the Equality Act - and not implementing recommendations is not illegal! They only need to consdier reasonable adjustments and make them if they consider them reasonable.

OP, I have MGD and also have problems with strip lights / coloured lights. See if it is possible to have the strips changed to daylight spectrum. They cost a little more initially, but last longer and are healthier for everyone!

We don’t have occupational health

Did you declare this when you were employed?

I had this problem in my last job. The strip lights were flickering and my screen was also flickering (my manager said he felt sea sick using my screen but wouldnt change it!). They wouldn't get OH involved and wouldn't let me do it privately either.

In the end they made me sound like I was fussy and when it came to redundancies - I was first to go.

☹️ my migraines developed while working there so there was nothing to declare beforehand. Acas didn't give me much hope either.

I really feel for you OP! People think migraines are just a headache.