Hi List,

 

Can I please pick your clever brains today about this case:

 

A young diabetic secretary ( works 3 days a week )claims that her typing errors (significant amount) are attributed to the visual disturbances that she has as a result of her retinopathy. She is an insulin dependant diabetic who has difficulty controlling it. The employer claims that right from the start of her job( 12 months ago)  , she has been making these errors which were tolerated whilst she was  being mentored and inducted . She has declared her condition  6 months ago since when she has been given reasonable adjustments in the form of , reduction in workload,  another  colleague proof reads her work and close supervision. There are no alternative /redeployment jobs within the office, though the employer is a big organization. Under the capability policy she has not been able to improve her performance with the benefit of the adjustments which are  no longer sustainable.

She is now stating that she is stressed as she worries about the prospect of her job which in turn makes her tired and fatigued ,further affecting her performance. She states that her GP thought that she had depression ( what is new !!!!any fatigued patient is diagnosed with this!!!?- with due respect to Alan…). However she has not accepted treatment and counselling from her GP. A workplace assessment has been carried out.  I am not sure if it is appropriate to consider the use of a voice activated software as the main part of her job is to type the dictated reports! We have advised her to use the features of font/contract/brightness/ line space to make the proof reading of her work on the screen more user-friendly. She has even been advised to print out the reports and proof read them. Basically she does not seem to be bothered and responsive to these advices. She also works 3 days a week in her parent’s pub and claims that she does only day shifts for them .The employer wants her to self refer to Access to Work for further assessment. I have considered writing to her specialist giving all details of her errors in typing and to  find whether her  retinopathy would result in such errors, and  is it likely to improve.

 

How do the rest of the list this case?

 

Is it likely that we are at the end of the road for her, now looking at capability in spite of the RA.

 

I have convinced her to take up counselling via EAP, which I think should also be given some chance.

 

Would appreciate all comments and thanking you in advance.

 

Noushin