I work as an order picker for one of the leading UK supermarkets.
This job involves the use of a voice command headset which can mean talking for 8+ hours per day, 5 days per week. I started this job in November 2013.
I have no problems with doing the job the way it is intended to be performed. However between 2-3 months ago my voice started to "break". This caused difficulty using the voice command headset. At this point it is worth mentioning that there are touch screens available to perform the job instead of voice command headsets, which in general we are not allowed to use.
I visited my GP around 4-6 weeks ago and received a sick note to say that I needed to rest my voice and I should be using the touch screen for my job until my voice gets better. It did start to improve slightly. I should also mention at this point that in the area in which I work in there is only one touch screen available to use in this area. I was allowed to use the touch screen and everything was going great.
However between 1-2 weeks ago a supervisor decided to disregard this advice and actually took away the touch screen from me and I was required to use the voice command headset in this area. My quality of voice quickly declined that very day. As a result I am working between 25-50% slower than usual because of issues with the voice command headset. The supervisors don't really care about what I have to say and my reasoning behind me being slow. Which means I get told off for it on a daily basis.
After a visit to the hospital today I have been told that I have inflamed vocal chords and I also have a cyst on one of my vocal chords. The doctor said she was certain that the job I do was the direct cause of this. The doctor couldn't stress enough how important it is that I rest my voice and using the voice command headset is not an option.
So the situation I am in at the moment is I have to be moved into a different area of the warehouse where I can use a touch screen to perform my job. I am certain that my supervisor will show reluctance to do this as there would need to be someone else trained up to replace me in the area I was in. At the moment the warehouse does not have the time and resources to train someone up due to the amount of work that needs doing.
Now that wall of text is out of the way...
What position would I be in if when I go into work tomorrow my supervisor refuses to move me to another area even though I have had a medical note written for me and had a visit to hospital over it and received a diagnosis?
I have been told that I should not be using my voice however if work is unwilling to budge what do I do?
This job involves the use of a voice command headset which can mean talking for 8+ hours per day, 5 days per week. I started this job in November 2013.
I have no problems with doing the job the way it is intended to be performed. However between 2-3 months ago my voice started to "break". This caused difficulty using the voice command headset. At this point it is worth mentioning that there are touch screens available to perform the job instead of voice command headsets, which in general we are not allowed to use.
I visited my GP around 4-6 weeks ago and received a sick note to say that I needed to rest my voice and I should be using the touch screen for my job until my voice gets better. It did start to improve slightly. I should also mention at this point that in the area in which I work in there is only one touch screen available to use in this area. I was allowed to use the touch screen and everything was going great.
However between 1-2 weeks ago a supervisor decided to disregard this advice and actually took away the touch screen from me and I was required to use the voice command headset in this area. My quality of voice quickly declined that very day. As a result I am working between 25-50% slower than usual because of issues with the voice command headset. The supervisors don't really care about what I have to say and my reasoning behind me being slow. Which means I get told off for it on a daily basis.
After a visit to the hospital today I have been told that I have inflamed vocal chords and I also have a cyst on one of my vocal chords. The doctor said she was certain that the job I do was the direct cause of this. The doctor couldn't stress enough how important it is that I rest my voice and using the voice command headset is not an option.
So the situation I am in at the moment is I have to be moved into a different area of the warehouse where I can use a touch screen to perform my job. I am certain that my supervisor will show reluctance to do this as there would need to be someone else trained up to replace me in the area I was in. At the moment the warehouse does not have the time and resources to train someone up due to the amount of work that needs doing.
Now that wall of text is out of the way...
What position would I be in if when I go into work tomorrow my supervisor refuses to move me to another area even though I have had a medical note written for me and had a visit to hospital over it and received a diagnosis?
I have been told that I should not be using my voice however if work is unwilling to budge what do I do?
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