Reasonable adjustments can change how work, targets, meetings and deadlines are handled where disability or a health condition creates a disadvantage. The strongest requests explain the practical problem and the exact change needed.
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Return to the Civil Service Performance Management Help hub to find guidance for every stage of the process.
When adjustments should be considered
Adjustments should be considered where a disability or health condition affects the area being criticised or your ability to participate fairly in the process. The issue may involve speed, concentration, memory, communication, attendance, stamina, travel, meeting pressure or the need for clear written instructions.
Management can still raise genuine performance concerns. The process should take account of known disadvantage, agreed support and relevant medical advice before targets or outcomes are decided. Where the criticism concerns the exact area an adjustment was intended to support, record that connection clearly.
Examples of adjustments
- More time to review documents or provide a written response.
- Questions or meeting topics supplied in advance.
- Shorter meetings, breaks or a limit on consecutive meetings.
- Remote attendance or a later start time.
- A companion, support person or agreed communication method.
- Clear written priorities, instructions and outcomes.
- Reduced or amended duties for a stated period.
- Adjusted targets, deadlines or measurement methods.
- A staged return following sickness absence.
- A pause while Occupational Health advice is obtained.
Specific requests create a testable record
“I need support” leaves the response unclear. A request for a one-hour meeting, a break, written questions in advance and two working days for a written follow-up can be accepted, refused or reviewed against evidence.
Members can unlock the full adjustment request method, including how to connect the condition to the performance issue, choose specific changes, challenge a refusal, compare how others were treated, build a supporting record and use model wording for meetings, targets and review decisions.
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