Monday Morning:-(

pecohr

We have an ee who just stated that she is unable to do a portion of her job fuction. She claims that there is to much heat around the work station (never been an issue for anyone else in our calibration work group). She further claims the heat makes her ill. The job requires standing next to a heated tank of liquid and emersing parts to bring them to a temperature for calibration purposes. The area is just slightly warmer than normal room temperature, she has the ability to step away from the area regularly and she's not standing over the heated material.

There is nothing in her medical file restricting her from this type of activity and we are short handed due to recent layoffs. She normally doesn't do this activity on a regular basis but because of the above (layoff situation) she is being asked to work this station more regularly to her obvious chagrin.

My immediate supervisor and I disagree on what to do about this situation.

need some help!!!

Don D

I would tell her that the position requires that proximity to the minimally elevated heat and explain to her like you did to us that she has the ability to move away from it. If she persists, I think I would tell her you will need a doctor's certification advising if and why she cannot be in proximity to the heat. Give her a copy of the job description and whatever you have in the way of a spec sheet about the heated equipment she's expected to operate. otherwise, that's the job she has at present.

pecohr

Don,
Thank you for your advice, sage as usual.

I have requested of this employee a doctors note stating any restrictions and I've provide a through job description for said doctor. (I'm sure we'll get a note from the doctor stating that as long as her eyes remain blue and the moon continues to travel around the earth that she is retricted from doing anything that she doesn't want to do). I'm feeling a little jaded this morming.

Would you send her home until she provides the above or live with the issue? I hate to shoot myself in the foot by getting rid of someone but really need an employee who can do the whole job. Not much room for accomodation with this situation.

Thanks,
Stuart

Don D

If this occurred in my work situation, and she complained that the heat made her ill and unable to do her job, I would do what you have done and tell her that based on what she has reported to you about a potential medical consequence, you must suspend her without pay until she has returned the paperwork from the medical official. Otherwise you run the risk of her shouting, "Well, I told you what the heat did to me and you made me work around it anyway, and now my left great toe is acting up again!"

wiremanufacturer

Don: My left great toe!? Is that implying that your right toes are not great? I think I am confused.

Don D

Actually no! My appointment yesterday resulted in a diagnosis of my right big toe not bending with the proper range of motion when I walk, so I have surgery scheduled for January. I guess I had that on my mind when I posted. x:-)

cebudragonlady

Don-

Get well soon !!!!

Chari

wiremanufacturer

Don: Just trying to be funny didn't know there was anything to your comment. (Sorry) Hope that everything goes well in January.

Don D

It IS funny! It's a hoot. I'll be walking like an old woman for about 4 weeks. Some might mistake me for Margaret even. x:-)

pecohr

We took a low tech approach and provided her with a fan (lead persons idea should have been mine) and life is good again!

too be continued I'm sure....

Pork

Another reasonable accmodation in place; see ADA/OSHA do work to help us be better companies. Pork

pecohr

Right up until the ee files an 801 for windburn or claims the fan makes her dizzy and light headed x:'( I'll be better tomorrow...

Paul in Cannon Beach

Windburn?

pecohr

>Windburn?

That's when your skin gets all dried out from the wind rushing by from the fan your wonderful employer provided, or in your case standing on the beach maybe by Haystack Rock and the wind blows in at gale force (of course minus the rain) from the Ocean... ;-)