If only "stress" was as easy to quantify as asthma and allergy......:-)
> Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2010 23:38:10 +0100
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] keeping the peace
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> Surly if the job is causing so much harm to her mental health then the
> company HR should take action as they are putting her at risk,(according to
> her), it would be unwise to continue employing her in this role if the job
> profile includes working on the check out and it causes her stress, you
> would not let an asthmatic who has become allergic to animals work in an
> environment that would potentially cause harm to health.
>
> Regards
> Pauline
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Belinda Fox" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 8:13 PM
> Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] keeping the peace
>
>
> Hi all
> can you share your thoughts with me on the following scenario.
> I had an email from a supermarket manager, who was frustrated at an employee
> (22 year old female) who was refusing to train as a checkout operator as it
> stressed her out. It is part of the job requirement that sales assistants in
> the store are checkout trained for busy periods to help reduce queues. On
> the day of her training she produced a medical certificate for 1 year
> stating fit for ammended duties, suggesting this lady refrain from checkout
> duties as she becomes stressed and agitated and it is affecting her mental
> health.
>
> Trying to keep the peace and give an objective perspective, I asked the
> manager to refer the lady to occupational health and I assessed her to
> establish if there was any underlying medical condition which would prevent
> her from doing the duties.
>
> I could understand the manager's frustration as he felt it set a precedence
> for all other staff who didn't want to train as checkout operators to go to
> the GP and ask for a medical certificate stating a reason for not doing it.
>
> On assessment, I found that the lady did have a skin problem affecting her
> scalp, similar to psoriasis, which I know can be exacerbated by stress, but
> no other medical problems. I didn't feel her condition itself would prevent
> her from doing till training, however I tried to focus on what her stressors
> were and suggested we tried to address these. i.e if she required additional
> training and supervision until she felt confident and competent.
>
> The reaction I got from the lady was well if I have to do it I'll just
> leave. I suggested a further management meeting between the employee and
> personnel to try to see if she would buy into the suggestion of additional
> training. I tried to focus on a positive outlook saying that it could be
> good for her personal development. I suggested to management that I could
> obtain a further medical report from the GP if required.
>
> I don't know the outcome from the meeting yet, but I anticipate the lady
> will not be receptive to the suggestions, and I anticipate management won't
> be willing to accept it as a reasonable adjustment.
>
> It would be great to hear your views to enable me to offer further advice.
>
> Many thanks
> Belinda Fox.
>
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