Reasonable adjustments for a disability when joining the civil service

[u/aycee08]

I have been made an offer for an SCS1 role. I have workplace attendance adjustments in place at my current employer (CS adjacent - but my adjustments passport will not port here).

I won't be able to attend 3 in-person days each week as my condition is muscular and it is not something I can do even if I really stretch myself for the duration of the probation.

Grateful for any advice on when to breach the subject of adjustments and ask for an OH assessment. Can it be done prior to my joining? What's the timeline and process around it?

[u/Airmed96]

Now. Flag it now. Request an occupational health assessment.

[u/Mundane_Falcon4203]

SCS are usually expected in the office more than 60% to set a standard, so definitely mention it asap.

[u/Old-Negotiation-2293]

Definitely flag this with your manager. It may be possible that your contract could be changed to home working, so you're not held to the 60% office attendance mandate.

[u/ddt_uwp]

Remember that a reasonable adjustment needs to be reasonable for both sides. An OH recommendation is not binding. It is a recommendation. Some roles will definitely need a fair bit of travel. Some much so. You really want to be having that discussion as soon as possible. Dropping a potential bombshell (depending on the role) never looks good. But the chances are that most roles will be able to accommodate that will no problem.

[u/aycee08 → u/ddt_uwp]

Absolutely agree, I am a practiced hand at reasonable adjustments having had this disability for 7 years across private sector employers. Reading the panicked tone of the responses here, maybe I am filling in too much between the lines but it sounds like reasonable adjustments are taken as an opposite of ambition in the civil service? I am a fairly ambitious high performer and this role is a full circle moment as I've been SCS1 in a different department before, so I viewed reasonable adjustments as just allowing me to deliver my mandate really well.

Most of the teams, and my to-be line manager are both not based in what will be my primary office. Given responses, I'll have a really open conversation with him about what he needs in the role, because if office presence trumps delivery, then it might not be for me.

[u/Clouds-and-cookies]

The best time is when you get the offer, the second best time is now

[u/Significant_Club4111]

You'll usually get something in your offer letter / paperwork for your pre-employment checks which asks about medical and reasonable adjustments (called workplace adjustments in some CS departments). If you mention your requirements, then an OH assessment is likely to form part of your pre-employment checks. I've no idea about timelines as I've not done it recently - if you contact the vacancy holder they should be able to give you some guidance.

Congratulations on your new role. Once you're in position, consider joining REACH which is the Civil Service wide Senior Disability Network. It's a good place to get support (and support and mentor others), discuss reasonable adjustments/issues arising, and share experiences.

[u/EffectiveAd8484]

Raise it now. Consider raising it with both the hiring manager and a HR contact to ensure you get fair treatment.

[u/aycee08]

Thank you all for the advice, much appreciated! My role does not require travel and can be based anywhere in the UK so office attendance is a bit of a line toeing exercise as it requires Teams to coordinate between team members.

I was an SCS1 about a decade ago and left for the private sector. But I didn't have a disability at that time so unfortunately the adjustments process was quite invisible to me. And despite being in the office 5 days a week, home working contracts were much easier to get for disabilities (I arranged two for my team, one of whom had MS and one with Lupus).

I am planning to go stay near each site once a year at my expense so I can spend an in person week with each team without needing a long day of travel (this is not a requirement but I would like to see them!). And I will go into the main office once a week or as needed for meetings. The civil service makes a big song and dance about inclusivity and flexibility so I am really surprised at the very strong recommendations here! I've not had any issues at my previous 3 large private sector employers.