I have a back issue (for 25+ yrs), I have a dr note stating that I may get my own chair (I bought it and have had it there 5 yrs, yet again it is being told to me I can't have the chair for space reasons. We had to change offices and the temp office space is limited, they are telling me I can not use my own chair, even though I have more than enough documentation to support. They even took the chair away 2 yrs ago until I took a day off (at my expense) and got the note by a special back dr and my chair was returned. Now at the temp office space they are stating I can not have my chair back until we return (2-3 months), any advice?
What Im afraid of is using one of the other chairs, 2 days later I will be in so much pain and discomfort that it will be unbearable, thus is why I bought my own chair. I know its a good char, I have the matching one at home for my desk.
Advice.........
First, you need to determine whether your employer is subject to the Americans with Disabilities Act. The requirement is having a minimum of 15 employees and the business impacts or is involved in interstate commerce.
Assuming your employer is covered, then you have the right to ask for "reasonable accommodation." Although it is true that the term "reasonable accommodation" is subject to interpretation, I am reasonably confident that your back condition constitutes a disability and allowing you to bring your own chair (rather than insisting that the employer provide one) is all but unequivocally reasonable accommodation.
Contact the Florida Human Relations Commission, https://fchr.myflorida.com/contact/. Explain your circumstances and they can advise. If all else fails, you can file a charge with the Commission. I suspect that your employer will make the accommodation without much fuss if the employer discovers that it is obligated to do so. You could go on to the federal EEOC and even sue eventually, but you should never have to go through such hassle or expense.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), certain “reasonable accommodations” are required if you suffer from a disability. Whether your back condition constitutes a “disability,” and whether bringing your “own chair” is a “reasonable accommodation” is something none of us would be able to determine in this forum. Seek out an employment rights attorney if this is truly a major issue for you and you can’t work it out with the Human Resourse office of your employer.