My HR Knowledge Bank
Welcome to My HR Knowledge Bank. You will find frequently asked questions on all current HR Policies and procedures, links to all policies, useful forms, guidelines and toolkits.
REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS |
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As a result of my disability affecting me in work and a referral to Occupational Health, my manager is arranging reasonable adjustments for me and I don't think that they will help, won't it be easier to just give me another job?
Sometimes you or your manager may feel that you need reasonable adjustments in the work place as a result of a disability or health condition, and this should prompt a discussion between you and your manager. As a result of this discussion, sometimes a referral is made to Occupational Health for an Occupational Health and Well Being Assessment. This is done when the manager or employee is unsure of what adjustments are appropriate given the nature of the disability and the employee’s current role.
The reasonable adjustments recommended as a result of the assessment are designed to help you stay in your current job. You have a responsibility to work with your manager to ensure they are right for you but please note that any recommended adjustments must be agreed by you and your manager in the Tailored Adjustment Agreement.
However if the agreed adjustments do not work then ultimately the Council will look for alternative employment for you, this will be subject to appropriate roles being available but the Council will do its best to keep you in employment.
The Council has a Reasonable Adjustments Policy, and Reasonable Adjustments, Workplace Adjustments and Rehabilitation Guidelines as well as Assistance to Employees who become Disabled Guidance all of which provide further information.
I have been told I have a disability, am I entitled to have reasonable adjustments in work now?
That depends on whether you need them. The Council has an obligation to provide reasonable adjustments to assist disabled employees to stay in work but only if the disability affects their ability to do their job.
Many disabled employees work perfectly well without having to have reasonable adjustments, however, if you feel that you do need more support because of your disability speak to your line manager who should be able to help.
The Council has a Reasonable Adjustments Policy, Assistance to Employees who become Disabled Guidance and Reasonable Adjustments, Workplace Adjustments and Rehabilitation Guidelines, all of which provide further information.
The Council's Reasonable Adjustments Policy can be accessed here.
What exactly are reasonable adjustments?
Reasonable Adjustments are basically measures taken or processes put in place to assist disabled employees to stay in work or to make recruitment procedures fair and open.
The Council has a Reasonable Adjustments Policy, Assistance to Employees who become Disabled Guidance Reasonable Adjustments, Workplace Adjustments and Rehabilitation Guidelines, all of which provide further information.
The Council's Reasonable Adjustments Policy can be accessed here.
What happens if an assessment shows that an employee's disability affects their ability to carry out their role?
If the results show that it may be difficult for the employee to continue doing their job the first thing to consider is whether there are reasonable adjustments that can be put in place to assist the employee to stay in that role.
If there are no reasonable adjustments that can be made then the Council will look for alternative employment, this will depend on whether there are any suitable roles available but the Council will make every effort to keep the employee in employment.
The Council has a Reasonable Adjustments Policy, Assistance to Employees who become Disabled Guidance Reasonable Adjustments, Workplace Adjustments and Rehabilitation Guidelines, all of which provide further information.The Council's Reasonable Adjustments Policy can be accessed here.
What happens if reasonable adjustments cannot be identified?
The Council only has to provide reasonable adjustments if it is possible to do so. Unfortunately in some cases adjustments that will enable an employee to perform their role effectively cannot be identified.
However if it is not possible to make reasonable adjustments to keep an employee in their own job then it may be possible to look for alternative employment, this will depend on what other roles may be available.
The Council will make every effort to keep a disabled employee in employment.
The Council has a Reasonable Adjustments Policy, Assistance to Employees who become Disabled Guidance Reasonable Adjustments, Workplace Adjustments and Rehabilitation Guidelines, all of which provide further information.
The Council's Reasonable Adjustments Policy can be accessed here.
Who has the responsibility of identifying and providing reasonable adjustments?
Both the employee and the manager have responsibility for this. If an employee is having difficulty in carrying out their role because of the affects of a disability they have to tell their manager otherwise it will be difficult to provide the support needed for the employee to continue in that role.
As soon as the manager is aware then a proper assessment can be made and reasonable adjustments can be put in place if possible.
The Council has a Reasonable Adjustments Policy, Assistance to Employees who become Disabled Guidance Reasonable Adjustments, Workplace Adjustments and Rehabilitation Guidelines, all of which provide further information.
The Council's Reasonable Adjustments Policy can be accessed here.
Who pays for reasonable adjustments to be made?
The Council as an employer has the responsibility for covering the cost of reasonable adjustments identified. This is a legal requirement as identified in the Reasonable Adjustments Policy.
The costs of making reasonable adjustments cannot be passed on to a disabled employee.
However many reasonable adjustments are really easy to make and have little or no costs attached to them, there is also funding available through the Access to Work Scheme run by Job Centre Plus and disabled employees should be encouraged to contact: - Access to Work, Telephone: 02920 423 291, email: atw-team-wales@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk
The Council's Reasonable Adjustments Policy can be accessed here.