Coronavirus and homeworking

Do you have the reasonable adjustments you need to work from home?

Data from the Office for National Statistics showed that the number of people working exclusively from home in the last year rose from 21% to 24% and that many want the flexibility it brings to continue. Some people, however are struggling with working from home when they do not have the right reasonable reasonable adjustments to meet their home working needs.

So if you are disabled and need adjustments, ask your employer if they can provide the adjustments you need - whether that is installing assistive technology software on to a work laptop or providing you with a specialist chair or other equipment. Ask if it is possible for physical equipment to be sent to your home. 

With the right support in place, you should be able to continue with the work you are doing. If this is not possible ask for other types of work which can be completed remotely. If you are still not sure, ask your employer for support and advice. Remember to look after your health and well-being whilst working from home.

You may have asked for adjustments to work from home previously and may have been frustrated if this was not provided. However, try and focus on what you need now and the adjustments that will help you to do your job.

Your employer must listen to your needs and discuss this with you. They must grant the reasonable adjustments you need to allow you to continue working.

For more information about working from home click on the ACAS guidelines here www.acas.org.uk/working-from-home.

For more information on reasonable adjustments please click on the Equality and Human Rights (EHRC) website here www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/multipage-guide/reasonable-adjustments-practice.