Preparing Your Workspace

Make your work environment as comfortable, cheerful and practical as possible. Your human resources manager will help with this and specialist nurses often have useful ideas. Most companies want to help. If you are less lucky, bear in mind that your employer may have a legal duty under the Disability Discrimination Act to make all reasonable adjustments.

Tip

Think about how you can adjust your daily routine so that you do the most important things when you feel at your strongest

During your meeting/s with your employer, the Disability Rights Commission (helpline: 0845 762 2633, www.drc-gb.org) advises discussing your needs and the adjustments that can be made to your work place as well as your job. The Access to Work Scheme, run by the Department for Work and Pensions, carries out an assessment of the needs of the disabled person at work, and produces a report for the employer that recommends any changes the employer needs to make. These specifically include:

• Special aids equipment to help a disabled person function in the work place.
• Adaptation to premises or to existing equipment.
• Help with the additional costs of travel to, or in, work for people who are unable to use public transport.

Your employer may be eligible for up to 80 per cent of the cost of any extra equipment over the first £300 from the Access to Work Scheme. An application to the scheme needs to be made in good time for the employer to gain maximum reimbursement.

Ideas for Making Work Easier

• Think through equipment that could help you, such as a chair with a high back, neck support and arms; a hands-free phone with headset (this can be very helpful for breast cancer patients who have had lymph nodes removed and suffer from pain in the shoulder and arm), and even a different desk.
• Find out if there is somewhere quiet and comfortable you can go if you need a rest at work.
• Make your workspace emotionally comforting, too, with photos, pictures, plants, your favourite slogans – whatever it takes to keep your spirits up.
• Organise wholesome snacks and meals so that you can eat every two to three hours and never allow your blood sugar levels to dip.
• Work out the simplest way to get to work, and the best time to travel.
• If driving is the easiest option for you, check on staff parking or nearby car parks.
• Arrange things so you can conserve energy: for instance, put the items you use most (phone, computer, etc) within easy reach.