employers & KC

[matt robinson]

Hi all , i was recently signed off from work by my gp due to lens intolerance which obviously meant i could not attend work , prior to being signed off i had a meeting with my employer who claimed i had been makeing a few pc related mistakes which i explained is due to my lens troubles at present but as soon i get fitted with a new lens all should be.

my gp note had ran its course and i went back into work only to have another meeting with my employer whom said they feel that i am not up to my position and that they were seeking to basically demote me and reduce my pay!!
Also they wanted to have my gp notes to decide if i was ok to return to work despite my gp signing me back in as fit to work ,this led to further time away from work against my wishes as i had clearly stated to my employer that they do not require my medical history and that my KC is usually managed via the means of lenses...this they could not understand!!

my question is can they leagaly demote me and reduce my salary?

any ideas would be much appreciated..

[Anne Klepacz]

Hi Matt
Please download the 2 leaflets on our home page about KC and work www.keratoconus-group.org.uk/sitev3/publications.html
Keratoconus at Work is a leaflet you can give to your employer explaining KC and how the employer can help. The other leaflet explains how the law can help you. If an employer cannot make 'reasonable adjustments' to enable you to continue with your present job, then they should be trying to find you an alternative post at the same salary and status. But you do need to co-operate with them, and provide information to back up your case. Can your eye specialist write a letter explaining the situation which would reassure your employer that your problems are temporary? Are you a member of a union that can help you? You may need more professional help than we can offer you - Action for Blind People (who don't just deal with the blind!) have advisers who can give expert advice and even negotiate with your employer. You can find your nearest office on their website www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk
I'm sure other people here who have faced similar situations will have ideas for you too.
All the best
Anne

[Andrew MacLean]

Matt

Welcome to the forum, and commiserations on the outrageous behaviour of your employer.

Your employer is required to make reasonable adjustments to your work environment to accommodate your disability. Print off the things that Anne has drawn to your attention and speak to your union representative. if you work with a PC then these are easily adapted for people who are working with a visual handicap.

Every good wish, and please keep us in touch with your progress.

Yours aye

Andrew

[matt robinson]

Thanks for the replies...i have given them the KC leaflet from the forum but i dont think that they have really taken any notice !! just to clarify if they change my job role slightly reducing my amount of computer work do they have to keep my salary the same? or are the legaly allowed to lower it?

there a real pain at the mo as now they wont proof im fit to drive!! despite my nhs optician saying that im well above the legal standard..seems to be falling on deaf ears!!

[Andrew MacLean]

Matt

No problem that does not have a solution.,

Report your KC to the DVLA. They will check with your ophthalmologist and write confirming that you are fit to drive. Your employer and insurance company will both take their confirmation as proof that you can drive with your lenses in.

In the meantime, you can ask your employer for a work station assessment. Sometimes they do these things by themselves and sometimes they get JobCentre Plus to come along and share the costs of keeping you in work and at your PC.

My employer, along with the JobCentre provides me with a computer that operates a large screen so that I can have bigger font without having to scroll all the time. Along with that I have a video magnifier that presents the image of books or documents on my computer screen which I can configure either as all-computer, split screen or all video magnifier.

My computer and video magnifier allow me to adjust the contrast of text against screen, I can choose from a long menu including yellow on blue, blue on yellow etc.

Every good wish

Andrew

[matt robinson]

Thanks again for the replies...