What Is the Benefit of an Occupational Health Assessment if My Adjustments Already Work?
Occupational Health Assessments for Existing Reasonable Adjustments
Hello,
I am about to discuss reasonable adjustments with my manager in a new Civil Service role. I used the same adjustments successfully for around two years in my previous role and there were no concerns about my performance.
My new manager has suggested an Occupational Health referral before agreeing anything. I have never needed Occupational Health before and I am worried that the assessment will reopen arrangements that have already been proven to work.
What benefit would an Occupational Health assessment add if I can provide my previous adjustment plan and explain the barriers myself?
Can I ask for the existing adjustments to continue while the referral is completed, and how do I stop the referral being framed as a question about whether I am capable of doing the job?
Quick Answer
Occupational Health can provide current, work-focused evidence and help describe why an adjustment is needed, but it does not have to erase the practical evidence that the arrangement already worked. Management still makes the workplace decision and should consider both the previous arrangement and the new role.
Read our Civil Service sickness absence and Occupational Health guide for the relevant process, checks and practical guidance.
Need help with your own situation? Visit Get Tailored Advice or browse more questions in Advice.
How I Would Use Occupational Health Without Reopening Proven Adjustments
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Continue reading to see how I would shape the referral questions, use the evidence from the previous role and seek temporary continuity while the assessment is completed.
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