I don't want to be the "old lady"

[china mom]

Just a little whine before lunch. I have been in my current position for exactly one year but with my county for 8 years. So, I am kinda new but kinda not new. As part of my duties, I have to handle, move, store, retrieve all matter of police evidence, some a little heavy, some from high shelves and some from the floor. About three years ago, I became partially disabled and have been going through periods of being totally non weight bearing and other times on a walking ortho boot (currently in regular shoes). But, I pretty much have managed to do my job without assistance, even when on a knee scooter.

A very small part of my job involves pulling and refiling folders. So, when I was on my knee scooter, I had all of the files moved to row eye level shelves so that I could reach them. Well, they had to re-do the file room and now, my files occupy a lateral file and they occupy drawers going all the way down to the floor. It didn't even occur to me while they were putting everything back but you cannot see the files on bottom shelf, make less pull or refile, unless you are actually sitting on the floor. The next drawer up requires a very low crouch.

I don't want to be the "old lady" in the office who cant do this very small part of her job. Asking them to move the files to eye level would involve mixing up my files with other files that I am not supposed to have access to so that is not an option.

I am very proud of not being a burden and carrying out my duties by myself. Except this one task that I perform exactly two days a month. I HATE this.

 

[lynxstch]

I hear you. Until this past year, I've been able to do everything by myself. Now I find myself having to ask family or neighbors for help, and it sucks! At least you're still able to do your job, so kudo's to you!

 

[TipsyTraveler]

I’m not sure that I’m envisioning the set up accurately, but would it be possible to use one of those “grabber sticks” or some other assistance tool to move or pull the files near the floor?

 

[jo-jo]

Can you get up off the floor? I can, but it ain’t pretty. But to protect my knees, I use those foam kneeing pads. Double thick so it’s easier to push up.

 

[Micca]

This sounds like it might be a local government job? Are they not required to make accommodations for employees with physical limitations? I have no experience with this but it seems like there would be some kind of allowance for it.

Any chance you could go to your supervisor and explain that now that the files have been rearranged it makes your job more difficult?

I understand not wanting to be the "old person" in the office, but they can't discriminate against you for that or any physical limitations. I hope they'll work with you to solve this.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I hear ya! It sounds like you do your job very responsibly and are very mindful about wanting to do it as independently as possible. However, it's OK to ask for help or accommodations when you need them. I know it can be tough, but your employer should be happy to provide what you need to continue doing your job well.

 

[china mom]

I’m not sure that I’m envisioning the set up accurately, but would it be possible to use one of those “grabber sticks” or some other assistance tool to move or pull the files near the floor?

No, the folders are the type that have the numbers on the side and they slide in the drawer sideways (medical officer use these type). I can't even see the numbers unless I am sitting on the floor. The next drawer up, maybe I can see the numbers but with difficulty.

 

[china mom]

Can you get up off the floor? I can, but it ain’t pretty. But to protect my knees, I use those foam kneeing pads. Double thick so it’s easier to push up.

I can barely get up off the floor and it ain't pretty. I get up and down when I teach CPR but only if I absolutely have to. When you get up off the floor, you kind of pivot off your toes. Me feet have tons of metal in them and I have trouble pivoting and pushing against them.

 

[china mom]

This sounds like it might be a local government job? Are they not required to make accommodations for employees with physical limitations? I have no experience with this but it seems like there would be some kind of allowance for it.

Any chance you could go to your supervisor and explain that now that the files have been rearranged it makes your job more difficult?

I understand not wanting to be the "old person" in the office, but they can't discriminate against you for that or any physical limitations. I hope they'll work with you to solve this.

Yes, if necessary, I could ask for an accommodation. The filling is not a large part of my job. If I could not do the evidence part, they could say that the ability to bend, lift, reach, grab etc are a BFOQ but they probably would not let me go over the inability to retrieve and return the files. It's more a case of not wanting to ask forthe accomodation.

When I was on the knee scooter, they were very good about getting evidence off the higher and lower shelves but I am determined to not overstay my welcome on those tasks. When I can do something, I do it myself.

It might come down to either having the files rearranged or them delegating someone else to work with them. I did have the cadet pulling reports when I was on the knee scooter and they were boxed up.

 

[china mom]

I hear ya! It sounds like you do your job very responsibly and are very mindful about wanting to do it as independently as possible. However, it's OK to ask for help or accommodations when you need them. I know it can be tough, but your employer should be happy to provide what you need to continue doing your job well.

Thank you. They do love me here and are always willing to jump in and help me. They have been great. The knowledge I have brought to the position has been more valuable to my employer than actual physical tasks but, I was hired to do the physical part so I do my best to do them myself.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Don't feel bad about asking for accommodation, the more people do it the more aware the world will become. If you don't say anything now and 5 years go by it will be harder to manage since things generally get more difficult over time. People know you had a scooter and will probably write it off to injury not age.

 

[Magical2017]

Ask for what you need. People of all ages ask for accommodations when needed. If it helps you do the job better, it does not hurt to ask. Someone in your work place may come up with an alternative.

 

[Jennasis]

What about a doctor's stool?

 

[barkley]

What about a doctor's stool? View attachment 819798

i have one that is designed for mechanics so it has a tray on the bottom near the wheels-files would fit fine there. easy rise and lower function i use mine when dealing with stuff in lower kitchen drawers/shelves as well as my pantry. inexpensive-$38 on amazon.

the other thing to consider is requesting your county do an ergonomic assessment of the file room. the county i worked for did this on some rooms and realized that some files (sound similar to yours) had very infrequent/very limited access so they added very high shelving to store them up and out of the way-when someone with the authority to access needed those they grabbed a handrailed step stool. this freed up more space on the mid level shelves which had more use and necessitated more of an ergonomic emphasis.

 

[ronandannette]

Yes, if necessary, I could ask for an accommodation. The filling is not a large part of my job. If I could not do the evidence part, they could say that the ability to bend, lift, reach, grab etc are a BFOQ but they probably would not let me go over the inability to retrieve and return the files. It's more a case of not wanting to ask forthe accomodation.
When I was on the knee scooter, they were very good about getting evidence off the higher and lower shelves but I am determined to not overstay my welcome on those tasks. When I can do something, I do it myself.
It might come down to either having the files rearranged or them delegating someone else to work with them. I did have the cadet pulling reports when I was on the knee scooter and they were boxed up.

Perhaps you work in a very bureaucratic and rigid environment, but if there is any flexibility, why not try "trading" tasks with someone? You mention several times the filing is a small part of your time; find somebody who would do it for you, in exchange for one of their mundane tasks. That seems far easier than having to have the entire filing system re-jigged for accessibility.

Of course, if you have anyone under you that you could permanently delegate the filing to, that would be the best solution. The team I manage makes little "micro-changes" like this to their roles all the time, often without even mentioning it to me. They just figure things out...