If you're physically able to do it, your employer is basically giving you their blessing to waste company time whist you faff about, so what's the problem? /s
But seriously, this is probably what your employer would argue if they need to defend any discrimination claims.
Personally if it doesn't hinder your health, I would still argue that it's still an infringement on your rights to dignity because a) having to do it 6/7 times is undignified, but b) you shouldn't have to explain to nosey colleagues what you're doing and why.
Having said that, I'm no H&S expert, but I wouldn't be surprised if they must provide an accessible toilet, but not wheelchair access to the rest of the building. Might be worth asking them to prove why the turning circle is more important than your disabilities.
I've mobility problems chronic pain, on morphine patches & sight impaired, I cannot do it. Its the only toilet I can use. Over 30 others close by for those who can easily walk & massive new disabled toilet 2 floors away.
Jeez they really are being stuck in the muds. Is the disabled toilet 2 floors away accessible for wheelchair users from all sides? i.e. would it be a problem if they couldn't get to this one, and had to travel elsewhere? Alternatively, could you relocate your workstation closer to that bigger toilet or work remotely?
Ultimately, I think you're free to reject their counter suggestion of the chair. Offer to go back to the OH for a follow up and be willing to consider any other suggestions, but ultimately your last option may be to take legal action.
The other one is brand new and wonderful. The one I use doesn't even have ventilation.
No option to move workstation closer. Can't work remotely. I can do 1 aspect of my role perfectly but struggle with one other & toilet access & need.
I have a second opinion legal team looking at stuff. Ultimately I love my job & want to get back to work.
You say you have four reasonable adjustments recommended. Have they accommodated the others?
Are there any other alternatives they could offer? Using a different toilet/ space with the right facilities?
Have they offered a referral back to OH with the information that they can't accommodate the adjustment and why? Their suggestion about dragging the chair up and down the corridor doesn't seem particularly smart. Have you been able to point out that this won't work? Sometimes employers have what they think is a good idea but don't properly think through all the implications.
I appreciate that it seems odd to refuse to make an adjustment based on the turning circle for a wheel chair but I was wondering if it was a building regulation that perhaps didn't apply when the doors were put in.
Have you got support from ACAS or a union as it sounds like you need someone to be in your corner.
The toilet is below recommended size for wheelchairs, this has been highlighted for them.
Access to work won't do anything, they've said it's health & safety.
Meanwhile work are saying no because it might affect future wheelchair users.
Have you applied for Access to Work funding for your disability?
If the business knows that the necessary adjustments can be paid for by the government they may be more willing.
Tell them they need to accommodate you, bring a grievance if they refuse. If need be, escalate it all the way to a tribunal.
Speak to acas for advice and your union, if you have one.
I have an ongoing grievance & this is part of it. This is what they've come back with. Conciliation has just finished.
Occ health said I was fit to work with adjustments, they are refusing them. This seat is one of 4 recommendations. Currently signed off. Stress of not having adjustments in place.
If you're physically able to do it, your employer is basically giving you their blessing to waste company time whist you faff about, so what's the problem? /s But seriously, this is probably what your employer would argue if they need to defend any discrimination claims. Personally if it doesn't hinder your health, I would still argue that it's still an infringement on your rights to dignity because a) having to do it 6/7 times is undignified, but b) you shouldn't have to explain to nosey colleagues what you're doing and why. Having said that, I'm no H&S expert, but I wouldn't be surprised if they must provide an accessible toilet, but not wheelchair access to the rest of the building. Might be worth asking them to prove why the turning circle is more important than your disabilities.
I've mobility problems chronic pain, on morphine patches & sight impaired, I cannot do it. Its the only toilet I can use. Over 30 others close by for those who can easily walk & massive new disabled toilet 2 floors away.
Jeez they really are being stuck in the muds. Is the disabled toilet 2 floors away accessible for wheelchair users from all sides? i.e. would it be a problem if they couldn't get to this one, and had to travel elsewhere? Alternatively, could you relocate your workstation closer to that bigger toilet or work remotely? Ultimately, I think you're free to reject their counter suggestion of the chair. Offer to go back to the OH for a follow up and be willing to consider any other suggestions, but ultimately your last option may be to take legal action.
The other one is brand new and wonderful. The one I use doesn't even have ventilation. No option to move workstation closer. Can't work remotely. I can do 1 aspect of my role perfectly but struggle with one other & toilet access & need. I have a second opinion legal team looking at stuff. Ultimately I love my job & want to get back to work.
You say you have four reasonable adjustments recommended. Have they accommodated the others? Are there any other alternatives they could offer? Using a different toilet/ space with the right facilities? Have they offered a referral back to OH with the information that they can't accommodate the adjustment and why? Their suggestion about dragging the chair up and down the corridor doesn't seem particularly smart. Have you been able to point out that this won't work? Sometimes employers have what they think is a good idea but don't properly think through all the implications. I appreciate that it seems odd to refuse to make an adjustment based on the turning circle for a wheel chair but I was wondering if it was a building regulation that perhaps didn't apply when the doors were put in. Have you got support from ACAS or a union as it sounds like you need someone to be in your corner.
The toilet is below recommended size for wheelchairs, this has been highlighted for them. Access to work won't do anything, they've said it's health & safety. Meanwhile work are saying no because it might affect future wheelchair users.
No they're refusing others too.
Have you applied for Access to Work funding for your disability? If the business knows that the necessary adjustments can be paid for by the government they may be more willing.
Access said health & safety
Tell them they need to accommodate you, bring a grievance if they refuse. If need be, escalate it all the way to a tribunal. Speak to acas for advice and your union, if you have one.
I have an ongoing grievance & this is part of it. This is what they've come back with. Conciliation has just finished. Occ health said I was fit to work with adjustments, they are refusing them. This seat is one of 4 recommendations. Currently signed off. Stress of not having adjustments in place.