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Posted By Steve Cartwright
We have an employee who works in an office. She suffers from a prolapsed disc (slipped disc). She shares the office with 6 other colleagues. Yesterday she sent me an email complaining about her workstation. I went over to investigate she was sitting at her workstation with a blanket wrapped around herself. One of her colleagues had opened a window due to the hot weather we have been experiencing recently. She complained that the draft from the window was affecting her back.
I then suggested that they close the window and put the air con system on. She then complained that the cool air blown out from the system also affected her back. I then explained to her that we are required by law to maintain a comfortable temperature and that her colleagues were suffering due to the high temperature in the office. She has tried sitting at different locations in the office, she has also stated that her chair is not the problem, she also has a footrest.
We've done all the usual DSE assessments, she is on medication for her back etc. Apart from putting her in an office of her own which is not practricable, has anyone else had the same problem and if so what did you do to solve it?
Steve
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Posted By holmezy
Steve,
encountered a similar thing many years ago where an employee was always feeling cold (for whatever reason) even when the sun was beaming through the windows as of late. Tried all the things you mentioned and finally fixed it by asking her to bring a woolly cardigan in from home. Not very fashionable but everyone was happy.
Ask her what she would like to be done, but stress that it has to be practicable in terms of the whole office.
Holmezy
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Posted By Kieran J Duignan
Steve
To important things to bear in mind:
1. Emotions aren't simply expressions of physical symptoms or of verifiable facts.
2. Back pain suffering can be very severe.
Without knowing anything about the history of this lady's suffering, treatment or indeed about her personality, these are alternative starting points to consider.
Accordingly, a fresh perspective may be to offer her a number of consultations with a counsellor who specialises in managing back pain and who also fully understands and appreciates the balance you and your employer have to manage, in other words a qualified counsellor or occupational psychologist who is also a chartered safety and health practitioner. If you were to end up in litigation, this precaution could enable you to call on the person you involve as an independent third party - and as her barrister would know this from the outset, the likelihood is you if you want a fair settlement, you could get it relatively straightforwardly.
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Posted By Steve Cartwright
Thanks for the responses so far.
I've spoken to the lady in question again today. She appeared to be a lot happier today, the pain was not so bad. Apparently she already sees someone regarding her back problem.
Steve
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Posted By Kieran J Duignan
Steve
If you are quite satisfied that you have documented a valid and adequate assessment of risks of injury and of appropriate controls, fine. Simply ensure that you are basing your judgment on relevant evidence.
Safety management requires more than luck, but it's good to have a rub of the green too!
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Posted By Steve Cartwright
Kieran
All the assessments are in place. I've documented everything and have even got her to counter sign all the documentation. She is fully aware of the risks involved and what our legal requirements are to her colleagues she shares the office with.
As for managing her back pain, apparently she has been suffering from it for years and regularly sees her GP.
Thanks for the advice.
Steve
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