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Steve 40  
#1 Posted : 08 May 2019 15:25:54(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Steve 40

Hi,

The company i work for currently has a good selection of safety footwear with anything up to 5 - 8 styles available dependant on size (boots, shoes and trainer type). We also allow employees to purchase their own with a price limit reimbursement (providing they prove they meet the safety / industry spec). One employee, despite the range on offer and the ability to purchase his own is still not happy and is demanding the company provide alternative footwear for him (quoting 'you have to provide PPE for me by law'). I am reluctant to pander to this employee and believe we have met our legal obligations with the above.

Thoughts anyone ?

MrBrightside  
#2 Posted : 08 May 2019 15:34:53(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
MrBrightside

Unless the employe has some medical reason, which I imagine you would have met, then the employee has to comply with anything you put in place for their safety 'that actually is law!'.

If its just a case that they want DM's but don't want to pay the extra or simply just don't want to wear them, then you know where you need to go with this one.

Roundtuit  
#3 Posted : 08 May 2019 20:09:09(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Unless there is a specific medical condition for which I would require a practitioners note it sounds as though you have been more than reasonable offering a no charge selection AND unlike most a cost upgrade

Without a unique medical condition they are not suitable to be considered for "reasonable adjustment" and so if the site rules dictate the wearing of safety footwear and this employee refuses to comply they have made themselves unemployable

You need HR sitting in at an exploratory interview where the companies position can be documented and this employees objections registered - followed by an explanation of the next steps should they wish to continue to ignore the company H&S rules which (if you have a reasonably worded employment contract) would be cited as one of the examples for summary / Gross Misconduct dismissal - then give them a little time to consider

Roundtuit  
#4 Posted : 08 May 2019 20:09:09(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Unless there is a specific medical condition for which I would require a practitioners note it sounds as though you have been more than reasonable offering a no charge selection AND unlike most a cost upgrade

Without a unique medical condition they are not suitable to be considered for "reasonable adjustment" and so if the site rules dictate the wearing of safety footwear and this employee refuses to comply they have made themselves unemployable

You need HR sitting in at an exploratory interview where the companies position can be documented and this employees objections registered - followed by an explanation of the next steps should they wish to continue to ignore the company H&S rules which (if you have a reasonably worded employment contract) would be cited as one of the examples for summary / Gross Misconduct dismissal - then give them a little time to consider

hilary  
#5 Posted : 09 May 2019 06:58:06(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
hilary

We allow people to buy whatever they want (as long as it is to spec) and if it goes over the amount that we have agreed we will pay, they pay the rest themselves. 

Everyone is happy and it works well.

CptBeaky  
#6 Posted : 09 May 2019 09:05:46(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
CptBeaky

I had a similar incident. We kept providing an employee with various shoes/boots. After he had returned the 4th pair due to them not being comfortable enough, and ordered a 5th I explained to him that either he accepts this new pair or source his own (we re-imburse up to £30 toward the cost). He tried the same trick, "It is not up to me to find them, it is your job".

I explained that we had gone as far as reasonably practicable, and beyond considering we were still leaving him another option. If he didn't like it then he would not be allowed into the workplace until he wore suitable footwear. Futhermore, I explained if there was a medical reason for the footwear being uncomfortable then he should let us know. We would then be in touch with his GP for advice and would go forward from there.

Surprisingly enough the 5th pair fit just fine.

thanks 1 user thanked CptBeaky for this useful post.
Tinkerbel7 on 13/05/2019(UTC)
Hsquared14  
#7 Posted : 09 May 2019 11:24:09(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Hsquared14

Seen this one loads of times - in our case we provided shoes every few weeks to someone who claimed they were all uncomfortable and then found out that he was selling them for a nice profit at a local car boot sale! 

I'm sourcing special shoes at the moment for someone who has a problem with his foot, the medical issue is hallux rigidus which means he needs shoes that turn up at the toe and with more toe space.  Hopefully we will find one that is more comfortable and helps his problem to resolve.

tom279  
#8 Posted : 10 May 2019 06:16:33(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
tom279

@Hsquared14, try V12 footwear in Chippenham, they would be very interested in helping out. Ask for either Charlie or Ben Turner

MrBrightside  
#9 Posted : 10 May 2019 12:06:30(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
MrBrightside

Originally Posted by: Hsquared14 Go to Quoted Post

Seen this one loads of times - in our case we provided shoes every few weeks to someone who claimed they were all uncomfortable and then found out that he was selling them for a nice profit at a local car boot sale!  

Had this happen more than once, I always have a 'new for old' policy in place these days. You don't get a new pair until I get your old pair.

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