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Posted By Jonathan Compton
Ok, here's a question for you;
We have a lady who has returned from long term sick after a hip operation. She is only working part time hours and she complains that the "cold" temperature of the office is causing her pain.
How far do we go to make her comfortable?
We cannot change the ambient temperature, which is set at around 22 degrees. We cannot provide an individual heater as it's against company rules.
So what can we do? One suggestion was to provide 'heat pads' but I'm not sure if this would be classed as giving medication. Short of blankets and a fleece, I'm kinda out of ideas, any suggestions would be great.
And really, how far do we need to go as regards individual staff welfare? We're not a hospital or care home, we're an employer....
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Posted By Bob Shillabeer
A topic close to my heart, my wife had a hip replacement several years ago so I can feel for the lady concerned. But, if she has a problem with being cold in a workplace where the ambiant temperature is around 22 degrees, is this something to do with her condition? Do you have access to a health practioner to assess the condition and check she is fit enough to work. Her medical adviser my tell her to go to work and sign her off the sick but there could be other problems that may prevent her from actrually going to work. If you meet the minimum temparature required under the law you are in the clear. Having said that there is a need to meet these sorts of challenges half way. If you cannot do this you must consider giving her paid leave; yes I know what the answer is already it will cost too much and may be open ended. You will need to reach an agreement and ensure she dresses appropriately
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
My gut feeling is that the employee needs to talk to her specialist about this. An ambient temperature of around 20-22 should be reasonable in the circumstances. Much higher and the rest of the workplace will complain of too much heat.
It may be due to chair type or posture at the work station rather than temperature but you are going to need some external help on this. Try looking at the chair and workstation first. I remember my sister's hip pain was increased on some chair types especially when the seat pad length was too long for her thigh length.
Bob
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Posted By Simon Walsh Grad IOSH
Thermal knickers?
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Posted By Jimmy R
I have had this issue arise on a couple of occasions and our company policy is also not to issue personal heaters as the building heating system is thought to be sufficient.
However, if our OHN advises that we issue a heater on medical grounds we will issue regardless of our general policy. Perhaps you could follow the same path?
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Posted By Crim
Your employee would have had access to physio and occupational therapy after her surgery, I suggest you ask her to contact the O T and request an assessment at the workplace. The OT may be able to provide something to counter this problem.
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Posted By Granville Jenkins
Sounds like the person is either sitting in a draft, or she is sitting too close to a cold external element of the building (be it glass, brickwork etc.)which will cause the effect that she is currently feeling.
If so, and you are not prepared to provide a local heater - even a small radiant panel heater may solve the problem, if not then would it not be deemed reasonably practicable to relocate the lady e.g. for her to swap places with someone who is not so affected? Burying one's head in the sand hoping the problem will go away of its own accord is not an acceptable option in these days of litigation, as it could lead to court proceedings the cost of which would far exceed any cost involved in making reasonable adjustments to the office!
Regards
Granville
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