restrictions on job functions?

[taylorjm]

What is the name of your state? Michigan

I found out that one of our older employees has osteoperosis. We have a retail store and I want to restrict her lifting to 10 lbs. How can I go about doing this? Can I just restrict her to that? I guess the only reason she told me was because we are a close knit company, so I don't want her to get mad or anything, but I also don't want this to turn into a workmans comp claim if she breaks something, so I want to put it in writing.

Thanks.

 

[cbg]

Do not, repeat, do NOT make any restrictions for her unless they are requested by her and ordered by her doctor. Unilaterally putting her on any kind of restriction without medical support could be considered discrimination if she is, indeed, able to continue doing the job. You could find yourself in serious trouble.

 

[Beth3]

Ditto. You are NOT a physician and it's not up to you to decide what this employee is and isn't capable of doing. Many older people have osteoperosis - whether or not it interferes in their physical abilities depends upon how severe it it, how physically active they are, and what kind of treatement they're receiving.

If you SEE her struggling with her work or she tells you she's having problems, then the appropriate thing to do is to ask her to see her doctor and bring you something in writing from him/her regarding any restrictions she may have.

If you decide to pursue your orignal plan, you could find yourself on the wrong side of an age and/or disability discrmination suit without a leg to stand on.

 

[taylorjm]

Thanks, that sounds like the more logical thing to do verses trying to put restrictions on the job beforehand.