Posted By Robert (Rod) Douglas Hi all, I require some advice on the “HR” front. We have an employee who has been off work with numerous ailments the most recent is a broken ankle (Not work related), they have had an operation on the ligaments and caught an infection. (They are not swinging the lead) They are now on crutches but want to work from home, but this can be difficult as they work as part of a sales team and require being located beside the rest of the team. (This is not a home-based role) They want to work from home as they have to keep their leg “elevated” to stop the ankle swelling when they were working at home (I have just be been informed, I have only started with this company recently and this landed on my desk) they were sitting with their laptop on their lap and their leg elevated. Also it would not be appropriate to sit at a workstation in the work place with their leg elevated, possible health problems by undertaking work in this manner. They may develop Upper Limb Disorders. This will affect their wrists, arms, shoulders, neck and their back. They may experience eyestrain, particularly when using DSE for extended periods especially with the lap top on their lap, this could be accompanied by headaches. Stress, this may be brought on by the problems already mentioned. Sitting with lap op on lap. If they come back to work, which they say they are willing to do however (Comma pause for effect!!) there are some issues as their role is based on the first floor and there are no lifts (Evacuation in case of an emergency springs to mind) the bathroom doors they say are too heavy to open in their condition. I can re-locate the employee on the ground floor and under take a PEEP but they still will be isolated from their team. Here the thing it is coming up to being off work for 6 months on and off and their wages will drop to 50%. They do not want to be signed off sick….. We do not have Occupational Health. 1. Do we have to allow them to work from home? This role is not a home-based role. 2. I for one in a H& S capacity do not want them working until it poses non risk to their well being. Your views are most welcome. Help!!!! Aye Rod

Posted By Robert (Rod) Douglas Nick, Thanks for the response, their role is not home based and that is problem they do not want them working at home (Their Line Manager, HR, who are looking for me to make their life easier by me making the decision for them) From a H& S point if they are sick then they are sick as you quite rightly say we do not want to make the injury worse or indeed subject them to other ergonomic risks. They are signed off by their doctor but I think there are other issue's, would I be right in not allowing them to work at home or the workplace until they A1 fit? Aye Rod

Posted By Robert (Rod) Douglas Merv, Many thanks for the advice. Aye, Rod

Posted By Philip Roberts Rod, Had a similar situation a few years back in a newspaper office. We set up a work station using a hospital type bed table with a tilt mechanism and a piano stool as a foot rest. Ajustments were made to the working day to allow plenty of rest breaks to prevent WRULDS etc. Not the ideal work station but it did allow a return to work and helped the rehabilitation. regards Phil

Posted By Robert (Rod) Douglas Thanks to all for your advice, we are going to get them back to work at their pace and implement the necessary control measures. Aye Rod