What's the best way to introduce new staff to existing staff members' disability and health needs?

manpreet Best Answer 2 years ago

I work for a healthcare charity with 50 members of staff and no HR person. We're brilliant at making adjustments for staff when they start (or are diagnosed) with a health condition.

What we're not good at is telling new starters about their colleagues' health needs in the workplace. So for example, if you talk to person X, don't stand on their left as they're deaf in that ear and won't hear you. Or person Y has dyspraxia and has problems recover from interruptions, so if they have their headphones on, it's to minimise distractions, so don't interrupt them unless it's urgent.

How can we best introduce new starters to their colleagues' needs and/or remind existing staff about those needs?

manpreet 2 years ago

I would stretch the introduction over several days. I recently experienced an exciting first day at a new workplace and was introduced to approximately 50 co-workers. I was so overwhelmed that I forgot each and every name by the end of the day.

On the first day, introduce the new employee to everyone, but don't get into any details. After the great introduction, tell the new member only about health issues of the one or two persons they regularly and directly interact with.

In the following days, plan additional rounds of introductions. Visit one or two employees with special needs a day and let them explain how they want or need to be treated. This avoids the feeling of "I already explained that to you and you forgot or ignored my special needs." Do not disclose personal information about your colleagues, let them explain their needs to the extent that they are comfortable with.

You as the employer or manager should make a list of all employees with special needs to be able to create introduction appointments in the calendar of the new employee and tutor without forgetting about someone.
As mentioned in the comments, you probably shouldn't add details about any disabilities or health issues to that list. It's just a checklist of names you don't want to forget.