The Irthical Paradox

Problems are developing at work. However, there is a new one - and it is quite big. Work have changed the uniforms, and whilst the top looks far nicer in my opinion it has one issue - the material.

The shirt is made from a 55/45% mix of polyester and viscose, and viscose is simply one of the materials I abhor the texture of. I managed to wear the shirt for about 30 minutes when I first got it before I could stand the painful irritation no more and had to take it off again - and that half hour was filled with nothing productive at all, mainly because all my focus was being put into trying to cope and not to rip it off there and then. I tried to explain the situation to my line manager who I think understood, but I don’t think he really appreciated the severity of the issue until 2 days later when I next saw him and told him that I had written to the head office regarding it, to see what solutions they can give. Luckily I believe I have the employment law on my side, along with the DDA (Disablility Discrimination Act) which provides for employers to provide reasonable adjustments where an employee may be discriminated against or at a disadvantage due to the nature of their disability.

One thing I have learned  is life is never simple, and this is no exception. Whilst the law would (or at least should) help in this situation, there is still one problem where this applies to me - I still have not got an official diagnosis. It is now almost a year to the day my GP said she would refer me to a psychologist to get diagnosed, and I am still waiting. At the beginning of May I was told that it would be “about two months” until I recieved an appointment and I was the next person on her waiting list. Almost 3 months later and I have still heard no more. I saw the GP again this morning and she told me to follow it up by phoning them (AARGH!!!) before later suggesting writing when I made it apparent I did not like the idea of a telephone conversation.

So I am now in a mini race against time. I can wear my current (old) uniform until the end of August.  After that it looks like I would be forced to wear the new one, as I would have no legal right to ask for the “reasonalble adjustment”, unless of course the diagnosis comes before that. Of course it should, as from May 6th to September is a VERY long 2 months (sarcasm alert!) but with the NHS anything is possible. All my hopes are with this appointment happening, as it will certainly make life far easier, especially when it comes to work. However, and frustratingly so, all my hopes are out of my hands, and more than ever it seems, is my destiny.