Job redesign is where you negotiate with an employer to mix and match the tasks in the workplace to best suit your abilities, skills, support needs and capabilities.
This form of workplace adjustment usually involves exchanging some tasks of a job for tasks of another position. The purpose is to allow you to maximise your employment opportunities by demonstrating that your effectiveness in the workplace is not limited by your disability.
If your current position, or one you are applying for, contains some particular duties that you are unable to complete as well as you would like due to your disability, you could ask to speak with your employer (or prospective employer) about job redesign.
Some examples of job redesign include:
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exchanging telephone duties for filing duties for a person who has a hearing impairment
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allocating duties requiring frequent lifting and carrying to another team member in exchange for increased administrative duties for someone with a back injury
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allowing a person with a mild intellectual disability, who administers a computer database, to replace complex problem solving activities with tasks involving attention to detail.
If you don’t feel confident to approach you employer alone, ask if you could have an advocate present to support you during the negotiation. This could be a work colleague or your employment service provider.
Remember that the purpose of this negotiation to give you and your employer the best outcome from your abilities. A good job redesign is a win-win situation for you both.
More information?
For more information you can talk to your employment service provider or call a JobAccess Adviser on 1800 646 800. You can also contact a JobAccess Adviser online: