Accomodations at work

[Pfurs]

I have been experiencing tremors in my hands which makes me very uncomfortable when dealing with the public.  My job for the most part does not involve direct contact with anybody other than my coworkers.  

We've recently installed new software for how patients check into the office and they want extra coverage during the lunch hour and they want me to do it

when I originally started I was at the front desk and did just fine but when there was an opportunity to switch positions I did and the reason I gave was my hand tremors. I get very self concious and then nervous and then the stress kicks in and my hand writing is no longer readable.

I told my supervisor today that I was uncomfortable with the new schedule and why. She told me that my employer had no problem with my having hand tremors and she was sure the patients wouldn't either.   Am I wrong or did she completly miss my point?  There are 4 other people that could be covering this lunch hour besides me

am I wrong to ask that I not be put at the front desk and for the reason of hand tremors?  I love my job and the people I work with but this has completely stressed me out, which makes everything worse  

Is there anybody that knows what employees rights are?  When I was at my neuro last year I had mentioned the tremors and work and told him I was changing positions which he thought was a very good idea.  Do you think I should get a letter from him

please help

thanks

[MonkeyMom4]

I work in a medical facility where I deal directly with the patients.

Just today I was trying to swipe someone's credit card and my hand jump at the last second and the card went flying in front of the machine.

I just laughed it off and said that my arms are not working today. The patient was very sweet and said 'ah, those fine motor skills can be tricky sometimes'

I don't know how bad your tremors are, I know mine are worse when I'm stressed or if someone is watching me I pray they don't notice.

Getting a note from your doctor would be a great thing. They could just keep it in your file. If it's only one hour a day then I would just try and make the best of it, maybe all of you could rotate and everyone take one day or something...although I don't know to what extent your tremors are.

People are understanding.

Not sure if I've helped or really answered your question but wanted to let you know that I understand how you feel.

good luck and a note from the doctor couldn't hurt.

-kelly (limboland)

[COBOB]

Accommodations typically involve hours, frequent breaks, adaptive devices, etc.  Mine limit me to no more than 50 hours a week or 10 hours per day with frequent breaks.  My employer also offered me a 32 or 42" monitor when I had Optic Neuritis.  If your job description involves "dealing with the public," I'm not sure that you can request an accommodation to "not deal with the public."  That might be grounds for termination with cause.

Bob

[jujuminx]

Well, not knowing what is motivating your employer, I think it best you get a letter from your doctor.

Perhaps your employer doesn't want to appear to be giving you special treatment when they have nothing to base that on (that's where a letter from your dr would be helpful) OR they are completely clueless and don't care about how this effects you (again a letter would be beneficial) OR they are trying to get you to quit (in which case a letter from your doctor for your file will help protect you).

Take care and protect yourself.

Julie

[Pfurs]

Thanks. I live in Wisconsin. Do you think hand tremors is a valid reason for me to ask for this.   All this is new to me. Thanks

[doublevision1]

Your employee rights for reasonable accommodation are dictated by your provincial, state or federal jursidiction - whichever applies to you.  

In Canada, employers are generally required by law to accommodate employees with disabilities to the point of undue hardship.  This threshold is determined case by case and depends on the employee's needs, the resources available to the employer, size of company, and many other variables.  Here is a link to the Canadian federal government's info on this topic:

http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/preventing_discrimination/toc_tdm-eng.aspx

however if you're in the U.S. or elsewhere this may not be very useful.  I suggest you check with whatever legislation applies in your case.  The internet is probably a good start.