Jacqui
In your position if an employee is stating that due to a health
condition they are unable to do any physical activity. I would try to
ascertain what activities they do outside work and what their health
condition prevents them from doing, e.g. sports, DIY, walking distances,
etc and what specific work tasks are they unable to do or are finding
difficult to do. In addition I would also ask their consent to write to
their GP so that you can ascertain what medication they are on and how
it is prescribed and ask for copies of any specialist reports that the
GP has received recently.
If they cannot perform certain tasks required of them which is part of
their contractual role then the question of reasonable adjustments
should be explored by HR/Management. In these circumstances it is also
essential to remind HR/Management that a condition like asthma can vary
in its severity and that an individual who has mild asthma, may continue
to have this condition mildly, it may get more severe over time or may
have severe exacerbations when they have colds or similar.
I hope this is helpful
Abi
OHA on Maternity leave
-----Original Message-----
From: Jacqui Livock [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 27 October 2005 20:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: opinions sought
hi all
i am searching for opinions on asthma and DDA. i deal with people who's
role is physically demanding (no respiratory ssensitisors) and
managers/HR
seem to assume as soon as someone has a diagnosis of asthma (or uses an
inhaler) they are unable to do any physical work.
whilst some of our staff with asthma struggle with it...many do not and
appear to be using it as an excuse to get restricted
duties...permenantly...often citing DDA whilst continuing to smoke 20
per
day!...comments and opinions please.
jacqui
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