7 signs your employees may need reasonable adjustments

A headache could indicate numerous issues. Is your employee suffering from stress? Or it could be that they’re straining their eyes to see the screen. Do they need an eye test? A glare from a nearby window might be causing the symptoms. Do they have an underlying health condition such as migraines or something else?

Starting a conversation about the headache could reveal more about your employees’ situation and empower them to ask for a reasonable adjustment.

A simple eye test, for example, could indicate the need for glasses – or they may have their display screen set to the wrong resolution.

Have you noticed a previously reliable employee is routinely arriving late at work?

It could indicate a change of circumstances, such as a change in caring responsibilities. Or they may struggle to travel during peak times because of something else.

A simple solution might be to agree on flexible start and finish times or to change their working pattern. Or, a work-from-home arrangement is another potential reasonable adjustment.

Some neurodivergent people may find loud noises difficult; others may find it hard to concentrate in an environment that is too loud.

A simple, reasonable adjustment could be to supply noise-cancelling headphones to the individual. If you can, you could also create a quieter space within the office. Many employees value somewhere to concentrate. Separate meeting spaces can also keep the noise contained within a specific area.

It’s a great example of how making reasonable adjustments can support an inclusive environment for everyone.

• Read more about what is an inclusive workplace.

Some mental health conditions can cause overwhelming feelings, and phrases such as “I can’t cope” may indicate that someone’s mental health is deteriorating.

Some neurodivergent people may hyperfocus – concentrate on a specific task – for an extended period. While this can be an asset, it can lead to working long hours – and burnout.

A reasonable adjustment may be discussing working patterns outside what may be considered ‘normal’.

Musculoskeletal problems are among the commonest reasons for workplace absence, and pains such as neck or wrist pain can be early signs.

It may indicate that the individual needs an adjustment to their workspace. For example, looking down at a laptop for long periods can cause musculoskeletal issues.

Simple adjustments such as ensuring that a chair and desk are set up correctly can help, as can ergonomically keyboards and mice.

The adage goes, silence is golden. Sometimes silence is a sign that someone may need a reasonable adjustment.

Stigma can make it hard to speak about specific mental health conditions.

ClearTalents is a simple digital tool that helps employees identify where they need a reasonable adjustment – and supports employers in making them.