How to Ask for a Reasonable Adjustment at Work
Asking for an adjustment can feel like the hardest part, harder than working around the problem itself. This guide walks you through how to raise it, who to talk to, and what to say, so the conversation works in your favour.
1. Know where you stand
If you’re disabled or have a long-term health condition (including mental health conditions and neurodivergence such as ADHD or autism), UK employers have a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments. You don’t need to use legal language, and you don’t need a formal diagnosis to start the conversation. You just need to explain what’s getting in the way. Not sure if you’re covered? See our plain-English guide to who qualifies.
2. Get clear on what you need
Before you raise it, write down two things: what part of your job or workplace is causing the difficulty, and what change would help. "The open-plan noise makes it hard to concentrate, so noise-cancelling headphones or a quieter desk would fix it" is a much easier request to say yes to than "I’m struggling."
3. Decide who to tell
You can raise it with your line manager, HR, or occupational health: whoever you trust most. You only need to share what’s relevant to work. You never have to hand over your full medical history, and you get to decide how much context to give.
4. Put it in writing
A face-to-face conversation is fine to start, but follow it up in writing, even a short email. Say what you asked for, when, and what was agreed. If your employer uses TryMosaic, this happens automatically: your request, the discussion, and the agreed adjustments are all recorded in your Workplace Passport, which you control.
5. Follow up
Agreed adjustments have a habit of quietly lapsing, especially when managers change. Check in after a few weeks: is it actually happening? Is it working? It’s completely reasonable to revisit and refine adjustments over time; needs change and so do jobs.
If the answer is no
Employers can decline a specific request if it isn’t reasonable in their circumstances, but they should explain why and explore alternatives with you, not just close the conversation. If you feel your request wasn’t taken seriously, Acas offers free, impartial advice on your options.
Tell your employer about TryMosaic
If you think your workplace could handle adjustments better, you don’t have to wait for HR to find us. Here’s a short message you can copy and send to your manager or HR team: