You should think about the timing of your journey. For example, you may be struggling with joint stiffness early in the morning and need some time to get your joints moving. This might mean that you have to wake up a lot earlier than usual to get ready for work, which can be difficult if you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep due to your arthritis.
Try to avoid commuting on public transport during peak hours, as this can present its own challenges. Travel in peak hours can take longer due to traffic, and it may require sitting or standing for long periods of time, which can exaggerate your symptoms.
Solution
One solution could be to talk to your employer about working with a more flexible schedule. If you can adjust your start and finish times to avoid having to travel during peak hours, this could be a great help.
Helpful Resources
Here is a template you can use to send an email to your boss about your transportation difficulties:
Subject: Request for Assistance on [Specific Task/Project] Dear [Boss’s Name], I am writing to request reasonable adjustments to my work schedule. As you may be aware, I consider myself a disabled person under section 6(1) of the Equality Act 2010. I want to provide some background regarding my condition and its impact on my day-to-day tasks. [Explain your condition and how it affects your work, including any specific disadvantages you face. You can mention if you require multiple adjustments.] Section 20 of the Equality Act 2010 outlines the legal duty of employers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees who face substantial disadvantages compared to their non-disabled counterparts. These adjustments can encompass: - Changes to the physical environment. - Alterations to organisational practices, policies, and procedures. - Provision of auxiliary aids. In my case, I believe the following adjustments are necessary to address the disadvantages I face: [Explain the specific changes you require, how they will mitigate your disadvantages, and why these adjustments are reasonable considering the size and resources of the employer. Anticipate potential objections and address them proactively, whether related to cost, human resources, or practicality.] I request a written response to this request within [14] days. I will discuss this further to provide additional context or clarify any details. Additionally, I am open to being referred to an Occupational Health practitioner who can assess my needs and offer recommendations. I look forward to receiving your response. Sincerely, [Your Name]
