Advice regarding asthmatics

[midvillain]

Hi.

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with asthmatics in their office? Would they be covered under the Equality Act, and should related absences be counted towards triggering an absence review?

Thanks

[zipmeister]

Hi
Yes Asthma is covered under the equality act and absences should normally be discounted .

[She Raa]

Sick absence would still be counted towards trigger but should be discounted. This will also relate to sick absences that may not directly be asthma but linked as such as chest infections.

[Ozzvaldo]

Hi
Yes Asthma is covered under the equality act and absences should normally be discounted .

I never knew this. I'm asthmatic, and while my asthma is normally well controlled by inhalers, I usually find that I struggle with chest problems/infections when Autumn kicks in and damper, colder weather is the norm. In over 20 years of servitude, virtually every absence I've had has occurred in September/October due to the change in weather conditions. It hasn't stopped them putting me on the attendance procedure a few times, though.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

To clarify any and all conditions can both come under the Equality Act and also NOT come under it.

It doesn't depend so much on what the condition is, but how badly it affects your normal life.

The government say it this way:

You’re disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.

[clashcityrocker]

Hi
Yes Asthma is covered under the equality act and absences should normally be discounted .

I never knew this. I'm asthmatic, and while my asthma is normally well controlled by inhalers, I usually find that I struggle with chest problems/infections when Autumn kicks in and damper, colder weather is the norm. In over 20 years of servitude, virtually every absence I've had has occurred in September/October due to the change in weather conditions. It hasn't stopped them putting me on the attendance procedure a few times, though.

Does your doctor's note stipulate that it is due to asthma or are you off due to a chest infection (which could be anything)
Do you have your flu jab?

[clashcityrocker]

You’re disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.

I think it also says you have to judge the condition unmedicated. So for the asthmatic above, although his condition is controlled by inhalers, the judge of whether it counts as a disability would be the effect on his ability to carry out normal daily activities when he isn't on medication.

[midvillain]

Thank you, it's not as straightforward as I would've hoped, but I could say that related absences should be discounted, and put the person's mind at rest if he has to go sick because of it.

[zipmeister]

Hi
I have asthma and the last time I was referred to OH for an unrelated illness I asked them if I was covered under the equality act for Asthma .I explained that I have inhalers which I normally don't have to use but sometimes I get a chest infection when I have a virus and this causes time off work. She said that Asthma is covered and I have attached the relevant part of their letter.

[Stormproof]

I've had stages for my asthma. The last attack I had I was off for a couple of days which triggered a Stage 1. The LM who dealt with it decided it came under the EA, other managers have issued stages for it in the past. So I guess its down to if the manager is a complete arsehole or not. I'm on a daily inhaler(Relvar) as well as the blue one when I need it so it's not like I've not got proof that I suffer from it and swinging the lead like some of the LM's think.

[Mobey]

This link might help.

https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/living ... thma/work/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tbt Is correct.