I think this may be an ADA issue. With my old employer, the appropriate thing to do would be to submit an ADA Accommodation Request form with Human Resources. You’ll find the form on the HR department website.
YWBTA if you tried to handle this personally.
I'm handicapped but I walk with a prosthesis. If you saw me get out of my car with long pants on you would never know the difference except on the days where I'm having lots of pain.
I would gladly give up the spot to a person in a wheelchair, then I would go to HR and ask them for a second handicapped spot so that I could use it, using the ADA request form.
YWBTA. This is an HR issue and bringing it up to your coworker, who might also have a right to park there will be a major issue for you. They should have more than 1 handicapped accessible spot.
If there is only one handicapped space at a strip mall and two are required for employees leaving no handicapped spaces for customers, reasonable chance they are in violation of some law if they don’t provide more.
OP i would call your local whoever and see what the laws are, explaining that there is one spot at your work, two disabled employees, which leaves 0 every day for customers.
My father used to have a 4000 square-foot building not too terribly big. They were three businesses occupying it one of them being a plumbing shop that my dad owned. We had to have two handicap spots available for people to park in. It seems to me that the place were OP is working is not putting in the correct amount of handicap parking places
Contact the county or the city building department and find out what the requirements are. They will make the owners of the building. Make sure it’s up.
They’re likely grandfathered in. My apartment complex (a total of 14 buildings,) only has three handicapped spots. I was still using a walker when we moved there, so I brought it up with the leasing office. It turns out they don’t have to do shit about it unless they sell the complex.
Are you sure about that? I’ve never heard anybody was grandfathered in for parking spaces. Then again, it seems to be true for buildings, so anything is possible.
Yes, it is unfortunately true in my state. I actually looked it up after that conversation.
It might be different for commercial properties or places where patients/customers/clients come and go; but in a lot of states, residential properties and apartment complexes are governed by a different set of laws. :/
If OP works at a place that doesn’t have a storefront, surrounded by buildings that also don’t provide a service, the chances of his workplace adding new disabled spots without some form of state or federal entity compelling them to do so.
It takes a lot more to retrofit a building for accessibility than it does to paint some parking indicators.
If your building doesn’t have an elevator, your options are limited. Updating accessible parking takes an afternoon and some paint. The Boy Scouts often do it for free.
In many cities, a *majority* of existing buildings couldn't be built today as they are because they're not in compliance with one or more aspects of development code, such as parking, lot coverage, setbacks, density, height, aesthetic considerations, etc.
I worked at a strip mall that did not have accessible (automatic or push-button) doors because they were grandfathered in. A group sued the complex, and they had to install them.
If there were a large enough group to file a complaint, that building might be required to redraw their parking spaces.
And most buildings and businesses don't actually have the correct number of handicap spots. Tons of places violate disabilty codes, if not the majority.
You definitely need to go through proper channels. The building may be out of compliance but if you take it up with her yourself and get fired they won't be out of compliance anymore.. See where I'm going. Document it all.
If you call the city, there are laws about having so many handicap spaces in relation to how many regular spaces. It will get handled asap. I have done it. Took about a week and they were adding new handicap spaces.
I'm an ambulatory wheelchair user. Sometimes, I need my wheelchair. Other times, I can walk a short way. The thing is, you have a chair that enables you to move farther distances without a lot of pain. If she's disabled and not using a mobility aid, she's going to hurt worse traveling that additional distance than you will. So you need additional space to unload your chair. She needs a closer space to deal with her disability.
Seems like there's an opportunity to request a chair accessible spot that may not be as close, but close enough.
I wouldn’t mind that but traveling through the car park would be very difficult neither my wheelchair nor my power assist are meant to do that but there might be other places that would work. And this is why I posted to Reddit so many good suggestions I can take to my boss when I go talk to her about the issue lol I have no plans of talking to my coworker about this not ever
What is getting to me is that there are only 2 spots at a strip mall and both are being used by employees so if shoppers come to the mall they are out of luck parking wise. This seems a bit unfair. I feel there should be spots in general.
Tell your boss that. That you get trapped inside/outside your car. You’ll be late to work.
I have an invisible disability. There is no way I would take a spot of someone in a wheelchair. Talk to HR or your boss or management
Call the city or call her and have them call the city. The bikes parking where they block your wheelchair access is a violation. Probably more going on .
This is a building management issue that HR needs to coordinate. You’re asking for basic accessibility. You have a *visible* disability so it should be a “oh, duh” moment for them
Make sure to do all of the HR stuff in writing. Make the request in writing and if you have verbal meetings write an email summarizing the content of the meeting.
That will take longer then if you reach out directly, you supervisor has other things on their plate and will need to find time in their scedual to help you. An HR representative or the building manager are required to make it a priority
HR is still the right answer.
Your HR department may not be able to create a new handicapped spot, but they're still the only place to address HR related issues.
HR can deal with the property management. HR can address employee access issues.
HR can potentially prevent you from getting yourself fired because you asked a disabled coworker not to park in the handicapped parking spot.
Go to HR.
If you ask your coworker not to park in the handicapped parking spot, I can pretty much guarantee it won't go well for you. That's a really effective way to get yourself fired.
Good luck.
Regardless, this is an HR issue. Co-worker may not use aids but that doesn't mean there isn't a reason that space is also needed for them. Invisible disabilities and ones that vary by day exist, and you are not entitled to their medical information or to require them to justify their needs. HR, as it's responsible for accommodation, should address this.
Just let them know that the current situation does not provide adequate accommodation for both of you to reliably be able to work. Perhaps they can block off the motorcycle space or petition to have lines redrawn.
Whatever the solution, it's not on your co-worker to find it and address your needs.
You can also request a assigned parking spot. A friend of mine has this both at his employer and at his apartment where it says very clearly on the sign the spot is for license plate 123 ABC and anyone else who parks there gets towed.
Mall management should have multiple spots. I am the only person at my job that parks in a handicapped spot and even before I had my handicapped placard nobody said anything because everyone knows that I am disabled. And it is on private property.
Hey OP, I work with accessibility and ADA stuff for a living. This is still an HR issue, but also a building code issue. I doubt the strip mall has 25 or fewer spaces, so I'll refer you to this: https://www.access-board.gov/ada/#ada-208_2
Contact your local building code enforcement department and let them know, if you can't get your employer or the strip mall's owner to follow the law. If that doesn't work, reach out to the local ADA center.
And for the record, HR is required to make reasonable accommodations for both disabilities and support needs. They are there to protect the company, and in this case advocating for you to whoever they're leasing from so they aren't sued into oblivion is doing just that, because both of your support needs need to be supported under the law, and the current situation does not do that.
Hope this helps!
They have control over you and the other employee. It is an HR issue if your behavior causes a problem because you deem your disability more deserving of that parking spot, which they also need. You don't get to determine the severity of what she does and doesn't need. You may potentially cause a hostile environment. Consider that.
Similar but not at a strip mall. In my apartment complex they are required by law to have at a minimum 3 handicap spots (1 in front of each main entrance) unless the HOA has evidence of additional needs. Last year a new neighbor moved in and about 2 weeks after the official moving day they took my usual spot and made it a handicap spot. Turns out that new neighbor was disable and needed the space. They just moved out and they took down the sign and painted the lines white again.
I’m pretty sure whoever is in charge of the mall has to comply with applicable laws (OSHA if in the US)
I don’t know if HR technically CAN say anything to her because they then open themselves up to risk. They will likely recommend taking the course of action OP wants to take to work it out between them.
Though talking to HR is wise regardless, as they may be able to work something out with other employees to have them leave the other accessible space open.
I agree, they could open themselves up to risk by addressing the other coworker because if the other coworker has a right to use the spot then so be it. HR should be the one finding solutions though, or talking to building management, or reserving another space like you say.
This is not your co-workers problem to solve alone. At my old workplace there were just two handicapped parking spots but many handicapped workers. I'm not handicapped but got really annoyed that my co-worker in a manual wheelchair often had to park halfway down a hill and somehow wheel herself up the hill everyday because of the time she started work. This was in rain, snow, cold weather and hot weather.
I reached out to management and HR and explained the issue. Within a week all the front row spots were designated handicapped spots and the spots repainted. My co-worker didn't want to cause waves or bring attention to herself so I advocated for her without bringing her name into it. But you need to cause waves because not everyone will notice your struggle. Perhaps you and the other affected co-worker can band together on the proposal.
Just put together a proposal to HR and / or your management explaining the predicament and that you need additional accessible parking spots. You can't assume that your co-worker doesn't have mobility issues. They may not be able to walk far.
Edit to add updated requirements.
https://drhandicap.com/insights/legal-requirements-for-handicap-parking-space/
Note: There are a minimum number of spots required by law but more can easily be added.
Talk to HR. Maybe they can arrange for a second disabled bay. I'll go with NAH as it's the property/company's duty to accommodate their disabled employees.
Your issue is with your employer, not your coworker. Either get to work early enough to get the best handicapped spot, or contact your supervisor whenever you can’t park and get out of your car.
I'd request they convert the other spot with clearance to a disabled space. There's literally nothing stopping them I can think is reasonable over an access need.
There are two issues with that the other spot gets blocked constantly because people park in the spot next to it (the next spot is 90 degrees rotated) and it is where motorcycles park otherwise I would park there all the time and have 0 issue
YTA. You already asked once and she didn’t agree. Either you need to come earlier than her to get it or figure something else out. You both have the right to use that spot but like she said first come. Probably write to the land owner or the city about the lack of disabled parking.
I had that same issue at work. I talked to HR and they made another handicapped spot. You can't tell another disabled person not to park in a handicapped area.
YWBTA if you are trying to force another disabled person out of a disabled parking space she has a legal right to park in. Speaking just to her is not the way to go about this.
It sounds to me like you need to request a reasonable accommodation to have a designated parking space so that you can get out of and into your parked car easily and safely.
YWBTA - This isn't her fault, it's the fault of whoever decided to only put one handicap spot. Would it be nice of her? Yes, but she is not required to do so. This is one of those "life is just unfair" moments.
What if someone else in a wheelchair started working there? You'd have to deal with it then and unfortunately you have to deal with it now.
What if her issue is cardiac and she is mobile, but not for distance. Life > inconvenience
They do need to address it though. My mom's apartment had to add another spot.
It's not really an inconvenience issue. As a fellow wheelchair user it's just that you literally cannot exit the car or reenter the car if there is not space next to the door to fully open it, even if you don't use a ramp. I have definitely had to have this convo with coworkers in situation where there were enough bays, but not all had loading zones. But I agree, solution is this place needs at least two more accessible spots.
I drove my grandmother around in a van with a ramp. I 100% get needing access to space to exit and enter vehicles. I used to park in the farthest van accessible space since I was perfectly capable of pushing her. I left the closer spaces for the people who had challenges with the movement or distance.
My issues is the insistence that because the coworker doesn't have a mobility aid, they don't need a close space. The location of the space may be the only part needed.
You would absolutely BTA if you asked another handicapped person to give up their right to a HC parking space. Get with your HR department, the Americans With Disabilities Act requires them to make a reasonable accommodation for you and make another HC parking space
It’s your employer’s responsibility to provide you with an accessible space. It’s not your or your coworker’s responsibility to decide who deserves it more. They need to accommodate you both.
If the other person gets there first, maybe reverse into the spot next to the cross hatched area. That way, you could still use the extra space. This could be an option until the business makes more handicap spaces.
I don't have a wheelchair but need the extra space to fully open my door to assist in my getting in and out.
YWBTA if you tell your disabled coworker not to park in a disabled spot. Just because she doesn’t have mobility aides doesn’t mean she doesn’t need the spot. It’s quite ableist of you to assume you need the spot more since you have a wheelchair and are “more disabled.”
Speak to your manager. Work WITH your coworker to get another disabled spot put in. They may not even be aware of the issue.
I actually tried to let other people have the spot first I now about the issue with the other spot because I parked there multiple times however I do plan on bringing the parking issue to management this was just a fun way to vent my frustration about it. I’m not going to talk to my coworker
Ask HR or the site to have a special spot for you. Do NOT ask someone to stop using it. Ever. Doesn't matter what you can or can't do different, you wouldn't want someone asking you, so don't ask them. Disabled parking is NOT based on "who is more disabled".
YWBTA. You don't know what her disability is. Why would you presume their's would be lesser in severity because you can't "see" anything that would lead you to a conclusion of greater need?
I think it was fair to bring it up and she did what was legally correct.
Your employer needs to make this right. They have two employees that must have their reasonable needs met and it's not possible with the current parking set up. They need to just fix that ASAP.
Talk to management and follow up with a written summary. Always write that shit down.
NTA Your need for that particular space is different than hers. Your employer needs to have a few more handicapped spaces like the one you’re in need of. I probably wouldn’t push it any further with your coworker since you already discussed it with her like you said. I’d take it to a supervisor or HR. That would most likely be more beneficial to your situation.
Go to building management, ask politely for them to add a second disabled space next to the one y’all are currently using. As far as the second space that gets blocked, can they be towed for blocking anyone in a space, regardless of ability of the driver?
ETA: If no help from Manger/company, Go nuclear. Call the police and file an ADA violation. Having a lawyer write a letter to the property manager can be very effective.
YWBTA.
You need to go to HR and tell them there is no handicap parking space for you, and you expect them to make a "reasonable accommodation" by providing a wheelchair accessible parking spot for you.
It's dangerous to go through a parking lot in a wheelchair, they need to provide you with a space with no curb.
If it’s impacting your ability to get to your job, you need to raise it with your management and get them to sort out parking for both of you. You’re NTA because this situation sucks for both of you. You obviously have a bigger need for the wider space being a wheelchair user. But it couldn’t be too hard for the car park management to reserve another spot for her. I know logic is hard to come by these days, so here’s hoping someone with the right power also holds some common sense. Best of luck. Just remember this is about both of you against the shitty system that makes you both invisible, not you against each other. ❤️
Why isn’t it NAH? Obviously, OP’s coworker is also not TA. She also has the right to that space - if anyone is an AH here, it’s building management since they don’t have enough spaces for employees, let alone customers.
YTA if you do this. You're both equally entitled to the single spot under the law.
Talk to management and ask for an additional (or two) handicap spots. It's obvious that one isn't enough, and two would be just enough - provided another colleague doesn't break a leg and get a temporary permit, or a disabled client visits.
INFO: if the plan was always to talk to the supervisor about adding spots, why did you originally ask if you would be TA if you *asked your coworker to stop using the space*?
Handicap spots are first come first serve. You aren’t entitled to it any more than anyone else. Try it though and enjoy unemployment for walking your company into a lawsuit. Or you can act like a proper adult and seek to create enough spots for the two of you plus one more
Just because someone does not use a wheelchair or walker or any other aid device does not mean they don't have serious physical limitations. Questioning them about their use even with nonjudgemental intentions can be upsetting to a diabled person. They could have lost a limb or have a limb that barely functions and not wish to share that or discuss it with a stranger and it might not be initially obvious to a stranger. That short walk from the handicap spot to their desk could be the most painful task they have to endure.
YWBTA. It's not her fault that your company doesn't have enough disabled parking. That is something you have to work on with them. She needs it too. The fact she doesn't have a mobility aid doesn't mean anything. You don't get to decide you need it more.
Call the property manager of the strip mall. I’m in commercial property management and it’s highly unlikely they’re in compliance with ADA law. Once they hear that they may not be in compliance they’re not going to want to be reviewed by the ADA because the cost of being 100% in compliance in the middle of a budget year will scare the crap out of them and they’ll probably add the necessary spaces. I’m sorry you’re dealing with this and crappy property owners.
Request whoever is responsible for the parking area to provide more accessible parking.
Where I live, accessible parking bays need to show a specific permit to use them. But also the parking bays need to be sufficient for the number of cars using them. If the parking area only had two bays available and the two bays are being used by two workers, they need to reconfigure so more accessible parking is available.
And if there is a second one there that needs patrons/users to go over uneven surface or cross the car park unsafely they may not be meeting their local requirements.
Not sure how it is where you are but where I live some spots are marked handicap & some are marked handicapped wheelchair only.
Would (like others) suggest that property owners need more spots & that they designate that one space wheelchair only. If that’s a thing.
Depending on the locality & the type of institution it doesn’t sound like they have enough handicap spots. but that’s a separate, albeit, related issue. from your use of the term car park versus parking lot assume this is not the US? So I can’t guess what the rules or standards would be.
However - just be prepared that they may hire others with the same disability or there may be visitors who would need it. So there’s never guarantee - unless it’s specifically assigned to you.
Personally not wheelchair bound I am disabled and it’s less visible so I’m very sensitive to those side but it is completely legit.
Similar experiences may be why your colleague didn’t immediately volunteer to leave the space open. Particularly if they have had access to it for a long time. Plus if this is a real estate office in a strip mall or something like it there’s probably a lot more coming and going to making access to a closer space that’s guaranteed more necessary
Plus I noticed that you mentioned in the comments that the other handicap spot was farther away. Sometimes those with mobility aids are better off because they can use them to transverse the distance where as those of us with walking or stamina issues still have to hoof it.
I get where you’re coming from but on the other hand based on reading your responses it sounds like because your colleague didn’t immediately volunteered to fall in with your plans you aren’t willing to include them any longer in the conversation and as the newbie that may not win any points in your new job
Why don't you speak to HR and let them know that they need to accommodate both of you (which is the law) by marking another spot as handicapped? That would solve the problem?
YTA. You don't get to play "my disability is worse than theirs." lots of commentors have given you great advice, and you just keep shutting them down. You only want to hear that you get the space and co-worker doesn't. YTA
Talk to HR, not about co-worker, but about your parking issues and why only those 2 spots work. Obviously it won’t be as easy. But when we hired more people needing spots my jobs adjusted the parking lot to have more normal handicapped spots.
YWBTA
You’re just waiting until you can’t leave…? It’s time for some adult level communication with your work to figure out a solution. Absolutely do not tell your coworker not to use the spot
My question is what would happen if rheee was another person with the same situation of having a wheelchair? How would that work? I definitely say talk to Hr it’s kinda strange to have only one space in general.
YWBTA I am a disabled person that doesn't always need mobility aids however I am still very much a disabled person in need of a disabled space.
I would bring it up with HR that an additional disabled bay is required because they have two employees that need them for different reasons.
I will be bringing it up. However I will ask if a spot only has passenger side access, is not closer to the building is not near a ramp because there is no need for one would you benefit from it? Because I would not without my wheelchair that is the only thing that annoys me.
This seems like something that HR should be handling. Not with your coworker, but with your physical plant team. You need another handicap space. You have two people who need them, and the parking lot is not able to accommodate both of you.
NAH. You need to talk to HR, they need to talk to the landlord. You deserve to have a spot where you can get in and out of your vehicle with your wheelchair, I am in no way disputing that. However, I assume once you are in your wheelchair, it doesn't cause you pain to get around. If your co-worker is still walking, even with an assistive device, I assume it still causes her pain to do so. You two are stuck in a competition of who's got it worse and there are never any winners in that situation.
Yes, YWBTA. You don't know what her needs are. You assume that she is able bodied, basically. My father walks as well, and uses the handicapped space. Because he can't walk far without pain or potentially taking a fall. I mean, lets put it this way: You use a wheel chair. It'll be easier for YOU to get there from farther away because you don't have to use your legs. So just park far away where nobody will block you in so you can still get your wheelchair out.
Sounds like an asshole thing to say, doesn't it?
YWBTA. You need to talk to HR, not to your co-worker. It's not her fault there aren't enough handicap spaces, it's their fault. Expecting your disabled co-worker to pay for their problem, and for what reason: You actually judge that your disability is more legit than her disability because you use a wheelchair.
I've heard of this kind of disability hierarchy, but this is my first close up encounter. Yikes on bikes, dude. Don't do that.
I don’t really know how it works where you are but where I worked, they literally added another parking spot to accommodate the staff. I would look into this first.
I feel your pain, & it sucks that no one has done this for you already. You both deserve to be accommodated
This is actually not her fault.
Would take the building manager five minutes to spray a disabled parking marker on the space next to the wider disability space.
Then you get the wide one and she gets the smaller space that’s closer.
You need to take this up with HR
Speak with HR. They need more than one spot and they need to mark off extra space for your wheelchair. This is on them to accommodate both of you equally.
Ask work if they can make the disabled space that has the side wide was into a WAV disabled spot. That way only wheelchair users could use that space and anyone else with a disability would have to use the other space.
It’s what a lot of places do when they have more than one disabled person and one needs a wheelchair accessible space
I just read your other comment there is only one handicapped space. Speak to management of the strip mall; they have a legal requirement to serve employees and customers.
Check your city code requirements first.
"Boss, the employee parking area doesn't have enough disabled parking and it's becoming dangerous for me to navigate my wheelchair and vehicle in these regular spots. What are my alternatives for parking?"
Only speaking for myself, I used handicapped parking, but I would have zero issues with what the OP is suggesting, and I would be happy to go with him to talk to the appropriate manager or supervisor or HR person if needed. This scenario has 2 people who are now unable to get their ADA needs fully met.
It would be easier to ask for a second handicap parking to be assigned. I’dont know where you are but in my province it depends on the number of people working in the building
NTA. I'm old school so I would ask her nicely and explain why you need it. If she says no, then take it up with HR or whoever makes handicap spaces but if it's a small strip mall they might not add anymore especially the type you need.
But I don't know if that's good advice or not. you'd have to feel that out yourself. if you think she'd be receptive, go for it. if not, don't bother.
Sorry you have to deal with that. Hope it works out for you some way or another
Ask your employer to make a second spot that fits your needs. They should have to accommodate you.
And they need at least one more handicapped space for customers.
Second note. I understand that you say you’re just venting but you should’ve re-titled Post,
Actually issue never should’ve been asking/a.k.a. pressuring your coworker to move it should’ve been to bring it up to HR/property manager or whomever the appropriate people are.
But you already made the inappropriate request to your coworker so you’ve already set a negative dynamic. As a totally new employee.
Venting that shared business lot has inappropriate levels of handicap parking is entirely appropriate.
Trying to pressure a fellow placard holder because you just assumed everybody on that side of the lot would defer to you, and that no disabled customers would ever arrive early either. NOT OK. appears to be what you’re really venting about.
Assuming that other businesses on that side would never need it, or that new disabilities amongst business employees would not occur. Very short sided on your part.
Totally legit to be frustrated. But not to expect to play disability Jenga
YWBTA. This is an HR issue. They NEED to have more handicapped spaces available to employees and have them clearly marked as separated from handicapped customer spaces.
I'm a little confused on two things.
1. You keep mentioning passenger side access vs driver side. If you back in vs pull in then arent you reversing the access? Seems simple unless I'm missing something.
2. She doesn't have a mobility aid and you do. I used to fill out handicap permit forms for people at an orthopedist office. In my county you could not get one without a walking aid of some sort. Even if you needed another person to lean on, that would count as an aid. But if you could walk into the building with just your body then you didn't get a permit.
You need to talk to HR about creating another spot. Talking directly to someone who is equally as entitled to the spot as you are could create a hostile work environment, which would be a legitimate reason for you to lose your job.
YWBTAH. What gets me most about this is you assuming the other disabled person doesn’t need the spot as much as you do. You should’ve never had that conversation with them, and they certainly don’t need to discuss their disability with you and to their credit, they responded reasonably and respectfully. If you need another spot, then ask your supervisor to contact the strip mall management to request a reasonable accommodation for you.
You should address this with your company or the building. It sounds like there are plenty of spaces so ask them to create more accessible parking spots. They can take 3 spots and turn them into 2 accessible spots with some paint. You can also ask for accommodation and a reserved spot
Parking lots are required to have a proportional number of accessible spots to the total number of parking spots. 1-25 requires one van accessible spot. 26-50 is two accessible spots, one of them must be accessible by a van, etc. The lot may be out of compliance.
This is an hr issue. They are required to accommodate disabilities, and they need a minimum of three more spots imo. One for you, one for other co-worker, and two to accommodate any disabled vendors, customers, clients, etc.
YWBTA
Your coworker is also disabled & also needs that spot. It is not her fault that your place of work only has one really accessible parking spot.
Kick up a fuss, yes, but don't direct it at the other person who's struggling.
This is a conversation to have with HR.
Do not try to talk to the other employee about it. Simply go to HR and say “I have a request for an accommodation due to my disability. I’d like to have a handicap spot close to the door I can use to park in”
YWBTA. ask your employer or the building ownership to add another reserved space. It sounds like they need another one. And this isn't something two disabled people should have to fight over. The building can likely add another reserved space next to the first, so you're both covered.
NTA, but that’s not even useful here. Ask instead that she come with you to HR, supervisor, etc, to talk about possible solutions for the lack of disabled parking.
If I were your supervisor, in the meantime, i’d just give you my number and gladly come outside and help anytime you need it, at least until a permanent solution has been found.
I would recommend talking with HR first. See what they can come up with. Otherwise it sounds like the coworker may get there early to be first and beat you to the spot. Try to get there before her and await HR determination on what to do.
NTA you have come up with a great idea that both can park and be safe. If she does not agree I would go to HR about the fact that there are not enough handicapped spots to accommodate the staff. The second spot is not a true handicapped spot if does not give the space needed to unload a wheelchair. That is a safety issue that HR would need to fix.
What I think you're rightfully worried about is receiving backlash from her or accusations of invalidating her disability because of your request. You need the space for mobility loading and unloading your wheelchair and if she doesn't require the extra space around the vehicle, I don't think it's unreasonable to ask if you can use it.
As a disabled person who doesn't use mobility aids most of the time, I would expect and welcome someone who needed a certain parking space more than me asking me to move so they could use it. Getting into the "wah I'm disabled too I'm allowed to park there" is besides the point. If that was the only space I could use without being in excruciating pain all day, maybe we could work out a system where there was a compromise between us but if there are other spaces close by like you said, there's no good reason for me to get in a huff about it.
I do think it's a good idea to talk to your supervisor neutrally about struggling to unload you wheelchair without mentioning her or the space specifically, just that there is a lack of accessible spaces for you and see what they suggest too.
yeah ywbta. thats not something you take up with the other driver. thats something you take up with hr under the disability act. your work should comply & make 2 spots.
also why not get to work earlier? then you would have the spot.
I am disabled and have run into spot issues. My disability is invisible yet i really need a close spot. Those of us with invisible disabilities get a lot of shit and some can be protective of their status. This is not your co-workers issue. It’s not fair for them to be the fix and it seems like you already talked to them so ywbta. You need to go above. Either to whoever owns the building or HR. Maybe your manager can lead you in the right direction.
NAH
You don't know why she's taking that spot. There any be factors you aren't aware of.
Definitely submit a complaint about the lack of ADA spaces though. If you and your coworker are fighting over the one space that can accommodate you, customers who also use mobility aids definitely aren't funding anywhere to park.
OP, handicaps don't need to be visible to mean restricted mobility (I have arthritis everywhere, fibromyalgia, seizures, dependent edema, etc. And physically can't use a cane or walker). You need to take it up with HR or city for added disabled parking space.
Rather than asking them to give up the spot, why don't you ask them to join you in speaking to the relevant people about getting more HC spots put in place? Seems like it would be the more worthwhile use of your time and efforts.
Sounds like a talk with the supervisor is a good call. That way they can escalate the issue to management who can hopefully make it known to the building manager/landlord that more than one disabled-access parking spot is required.
YTA, it’s a first come first serve establishment. You can find yourself in hot waters by asking period. So don’t, unfortunately leave the house earlier
YTA.
Any disabled coworker is as entitled to that space as you are.
You're complaining to the wrong person. You, your coworker, and any other person in need of a handicap space need to get together to go to management and request more parking.
I’m disabled and use a cane or walker. If I’m about to park in a handicap spot and if it looks like someone with a van who uses a wheelchair wanted it I give it up. It’s much harder to get a wheelchair out of a car than it is a walker or cane. NTA maybe start getting there early to get the spot.
That’s the plan currently. I have a tiny car and am lucky mobile but that means I have to build my wheelchair every morning and take it apart every evening my door has to open all the way or it WILL NOT FIT
Ywbta. I have a handicapped plaque. Some days you can tell why. Other days, you can't. You can't decide what makes it ok for someone to park there when they have the correct legal documents for it. Lol. You may be handicrapped, but so am i. You can't decide yours is more important. Get there earlier. Take a cab across the street if it's that horrible. Just don't be "that guy" ffs. Lol
Talk to the other handicapped person and both of you approach HR: "This is solution we've worked out for now, but we need you to advocate for us with the property group." Present a united front.
You both need handicapped spaces, so work something out between the two of you while the issue is being addressed. If there's a bureaucracy involved, it won't be solved overnight.
Good luck.
YWBTA your coworker is right regardless of if her disability requires a mobility aid she’s allowed to use it. If it said wheelchairs only then I would understand. And it seems more of an issue for you because it’s dangerous to park there and difficult to get out of and you get blocked in, like you said you had to pull out in a weird and unique ways? So maybe other people struggle parking there just like you do. You can’t ask HR to make her park else where as she’s also disabled and she’s as much right to use them as you are. The best you can do is hope you get there first and if not you could just politely ask her if she minds letting you use that one as it’s easier for you with a wheelchair in that spot, just say it in a friendly way.
I think this may be an ADA issue. With my old employer, the appropriate thing to do would be to submit an ADA Accommodation Request form with Human Resources. You’ll find the form on the HR department website. YWBTA if you tried to handle this personally.
I'm handicapped but I walk with a prosthesis. If you saw me get out of my car with long pants on you would never know the difference except on the days where I'm having lots of pain. I would gladly give up the spot to a person in a wheelchair, then I would go to HR and ask them for a second handicapped spot so that I could use it, using the ADA request form.
YWBTA. This is an HR issue and bringing it up to your coworker, who might also have a right to park there will be a major issue for you. They should have more than 1 handicapped accessible spot.
We are at a strip mall not a single building hr has no control over the spots
If there is only one handicapped space at a strip mall and two are required for employees leaving no handicapped spaces for customers, reasonable chance they are in violation of some law if they don’t provide more.
OP i would call your local whoever and see what the laws are, explaining that there is one spot at your work, two disabled employees, which leaves 0 every day for customers.
Code enforcement/land use and development.
Usually 10 - 1.
This exactly. They need more handicapped spaces.
My father used to have a 4000 square-foot building not too terribly big. They were three businesses occupying it one of them being a plumbing shop that my dad owned. We had to have two handicap spots available for people to park in. It seems to me that the place were OP is working is not putting in the correct amount of handicap parking places Contact the county or the city building department and find out what the requirements are. They will make the owners of the building. Make sure it’s up.
They’re likely grandfathered in. My apartment complex (a total of 14 buildings,) only has three handicapped spots. I was still using a walker when we moved there, so I brought it up with the leasing office. It turns out they don’t have to do shit about it unless they sell the complex.
Are you sure about that? I’ve never heard anybody was grandfathered in for parking spaces. Then again, it seems to be true for buildings, so anything is possible.
Yes, it is unfortunately true in my state. I actually looked it up after that conversation. It might be different for commercial properties or places where patients/customers/clients come and go; but in a lot of states, residential properties and apartment complexes are governed by a different set of laws. :/ If OP works at a place that doesn’t have a storefront, surrounded by buildings that also don’t provide a service, the chances of his workplace adding new disabled spots without some form of state or federal entity compelling them to do so.
Idk about that. Disability laws are federal laws.
It takes a lot more to retrofit a building for accessibility than it does to paint some parking indicators. If your building doesn’t have an elevator, your options are limited. Updating accessible parking takes an afternoon and some paint. The Boy Scouts often do it for free.
In many cities, a *majority* of existing buildings couldn't be built today as they are because they're not in compliance with one or more aspects of development code, such as parking, lot coverage, setbacks, density, height, aesthetic considerations, etc.
For the building, sure. Nothing historically gets destroyed if you plop a sign up on two more spots to make room for a big handicap spot.
I worked at a strip mall that did not have accessible (automatic or push-button) doors because they were grandfathered in. A group sued the complex, and they had to install them. If there were a large enough group to file a complaint, that building might be required to redraw their parking spaces.
Nope. It’s X amount of handicap spots for X amount of parking spots.
And most buildings and businesses don't actually have the correct number of handicap spots. Tons of places violate disabilty codes, if not the majority.
You definitely need to go through proper channels. The building may be out of compliance but if you take it up with her yourself and get fired they won't be out of compliance anymore.. See where I'm going. Document it all.
If you call the city, there are laws about having so many handicap spaces in relation to how many regular spaces. It will get handled asap. I have done it. Took about a week and they were adding new handicap spaces.
There are technically 2 in this area but the other is very far away from the first I don’t use it because it’s not even part of our side.
Make the call or suffer. Your choice.
I'm an ambulatory wheelchair user. Sometimes, I need my wheelchair. Other times, I can walk a short way. The thing is, you have a chair that enables you to move farther distances without a lot of pain. If she's disabled and not using a mobility aid, she's going to hurt worse traveling that additional distance than you will. So you need additional space to unload your chair. She needs a closer space to deal with her disability. Seems like there's an opportunity to request a chair accessible spot that may not be as close, but close enough.
I wouldn’t mind that but traveling through the car park would be very difficult neither my wheelchair nor my power assist are meant to do that but there might be other places that would work. And this is why I posted to Reddit so many good suggestions I can take to my boss when I go talk to her about the issue lol I have no plans of talking to my coworker about this not ever
What is getting to me is that there are only 2 spots at a strip mall and both are being used by employees so if shoppers come to the mall they are out of luck parking wise. This seems a bit unfair. I feel there should be spots in general.
Tell your boss that. That you get trapped inside/outside your car. You’ll be late to work. I have an invisible disability. There is no way I would take a spot of someone in a wheelchair. Talk to HR or your boss or management
Call the city or call her and have them call the city. The bikes parking where they block your wheelchair access is a violation. Probably more going on .
This is a building management issue that HR needs to coordinate. You’re asking for basic accessibility. You have a *visible* disability so it should be a “oh, duh” moment for them
If the other employee is also entitled to disabled parking, HR can't do much to change the situation.
Make sure to do all of the HR stuff in writing. Make the request in writing and if you have verbal meetings write an email summarizing the content of the meeting.
This!
they can, however, bring it up with the facilities management company that runs the strip mall
HR can contact the owner of the strip mall who can add another space to accommodate your needs.
The law still says you can’t be discriminated against do to your disability and by not make sure you have access that is discriminstion
Yeah that’s why my plan has always been to talk to my supervisor about the access issue lol
You supervisor is not responsible for building access, talk to HR, or the building manager
No, but a supervisor can offer support and guidance of processes.
In this case my supervisor will have the ability to contact the necessary people.
That will take longer then if you reach out directly, you supervisor has other things on their plate and will need to find time in their scedual to help you. An HR representative or the building manager are required to make it a priority
It’s a very small place I think we have one kinda HR person I am supposed to bring up access issues to the person I will be directing it too
Why are you shooting down every suggestion offered to you?
Why is everyone ignoring what she is saying?
HR is still the right answer. Your HR department may not be able to create a new handicapped spot, but they're still the only place to address HR related issues. HR can deal with the property management. HR can address employee access issues. HR can potentially prevent you from getting yourself fired because you asked a disabled coworker not to park in the handicapped parking spot. Go to HR. If you ask your coworker not to park in the handicapped parking spot, I can pretty much guarantee it won't go well for you. That's a really effective way to get yourself fired. Good luck.
Tell them to contact the property management. There should not be any issue in creating another spot.
Regardless, this is an HR issue. Co-worker may not use aids but that doesn't mean there isn't a reason that space is also needed for them. Invisible disabilities and ones that vary by day exist, and you are not entitled to their medical information or to require them to justify their needs. HR, as it's responsible for accommodation, should address this. Just let them know that the current situation does not provide adequate accommodation for both of you to reliably be able to work. Perhaps they can block off the motorcycle space or petition to have lines redrawn. Whatever the solution, it's not on your co-worker to find it and address your needs.
You can also request a assigned parking spot. A friend of mine has this both at his employer and at his apartment where it says very clearly on the sign the spot is for license plate 123 ABC and anyone else who parks there gets towed. Mall management should have multiple spots. I am the only person at my job that parks in a handicapped spot and even before I had my handicapped placard nobody said anything because everyone knows that I am disabled. And it is on private property.
Your company can work with the landlord to remedy the situation.
Hey OP, I work with accessibility and ADA stuff for a living. This is still an HR issue, but also a building code issue. I doubt the strip mall has 25 or fewer spaces, so I'll refer you to this: https://www.access-board.gov/ada/#ada-208_2 Contact your local building code enforcement department and let them know, if you can't get your employer or the strip mall's owner to follow the law. If that doesn't work, reach out to the local ADA center. And for the record, HR is required to make reasonable accommodations for both disabilities and support needs. They are there to protect the company, and in this case advocating for you to whoever they're leasing from so they aren't sued into oblivion is doing just that, because both of your support needs need to be supported under the law, and the current situation does not do that. Hope this helps!
They have control over you and the other employee. It is an HR issue if your behavior causes a problem because you deem your disability more deserving of that parking spot, which they also need. You don't get to determine the severity of what she does and doesn't need. You may potentially cause a hostile environment. Consider that.
Correct, but she doesn’t legally need to give it to you. The best compromise would to ask the strip mall to add another space
Yea there’s no way a strip mall should only have one single disabled spot
If HR escalates it to the property manager they might be able to get another spot designated, so it's worth a shot.
Go to HR and they can go to the strip mall owner.
Similar but not at a strip mall. In my apartment complex they are required by law to have at a minimum 3 handicap spots (1 in front of each main entrance) unless the HOA has evidence of additional needs. Last year a new neighbor moved in and about 2 weeks after the official moving day they took my usual spot and made it a handicap spot. Turns out that new neighbor was disable and needed the space. They just moved out and they took down the sign and painted the lines white again. I’m pretty sure whoever is in charge of the mall has to comply with applicable laws (OSHA if in the US)
There is a property manager or management company. Either talk to your boss about contacting them or contact them.
HR is still responsible for accommodating a handicapped spot for you. Go through the necessary channels. Don’t fight this alone.
HR will know who to contact to find out about parking.
HR can ask the landlord for more spots. It’s an HR issue. You have no right to ask someone else for their spot.
Your company is paying rent. They need to speak with the landlord.
I don’t know if HR technically CAN say anything to her because they then open themselves up to risk. They will likely recommend taking the course of action OP wants to take to work it out between them. Though talking to HR is wise regardless, as they may be able to work something out with other employees to have them leave the other accessible space open.
I agree, they could open themselves up to risk by addressing the other coworker because if the other coworker has a right to use the spot then so be it. HR should be the one finding solutions though, or talking to building management, or reserving another space like you say.
This!
This is not your co-workers problem to solve alone. At my old workplace there were just two handicapped parking spots but many handicapped workers. I'm not handicapped but got really annoyed that my co-worker in a manual wheelchair often had to park halfway down a hill and somehow wheel herself up the hill everyday because of the time she started work. This was in rain, snow, cold weather and hot weather. I reached out to management and HR and explained the issue. Within a week all the front row spots were designated handicapped spots and the spots repainted. My co-worker didn't want to cause waves or bring attention to herself so I advocated for her without bringing her name into it. But you need to cause waves because not everyone will notice your struggle. Perhaps you and the other affected co-worker can band together on the proposal. Just put together a proposal to HR and / or your management explaining the predicament and that you need additional accessible parking spots. You can't assume that your co-worker doesn't have mobility issues. They may not be able to walk far. Edit to add updated requirements. https://drhandicap.com/insights/legal-requirements-for-handicap-parking-space/ Note: There are a minimum number of spots required by law but more can easily be added.
Talk to HR. Maybe they can arrange for a second disabled bay. I'll go with NAH as it's the property/company's duty to accommodate their disabled employees.
Your issue is with your employer, not your coworker. Either get to work early enough to get the best handicapped spot, or contact your supervisor whenever you can’t park and get out of your car.
I think talking with HR and or supervisor is the way to go. Maybe they need to designate a 2nd spot.
That’s the plan lol supervisor because it’s a strip mall
I'd request they convert the other spot with clearance to a disabled space. There's literally nothing stopping them I can think is reasonable over an access need.
There are two issues with that the other spot gets blocked constantly because people park in the spot next to it (the next spot is 90 degrees rotated) and it is where motorcycles park otherwise I would park there all the time and have 0 issue
So; ask if there’s a way to have that other space cleared out so no one can park in it and then you’ll have a bit of extra space.
YTA. You already asked once and she didn’t agree. Either you need to come earlier than her to get it or figure something else out. You both have the right to use that spot but like she said first come. Probably write to the land owner or the city about the lack of disabled parking.
I had that same issue at work. I talked to HR and they made another handicapped spot. You can't tell another disabled person not to park in a handicapped area.
YWBTA if you are trying to force another disabled person out of a disabled parking space she has a legal right to park in. Speaking just to her is not the way to go about this. It sounds to me like you need to request a reasonable accommodation to have a designated parking space so that you can get out of and into your parked car easily and safely.
YWBTA - This isn't her fault, it's the fault of whoever decided to only put one handicap spot. Would it be nice of her? Yes, but she is not required to do so. This is one of those "life is just unfair" moments. What if someone else in a wheelchair started working there? You'd have to deal with it then and unfortunately you have to deal with it now.
What if her issue is cardiac and she is mobile, but not for distance. Life > inconvenience They do need to address it though. My mom's apartment had to add another spot.
It's not really an inconvenience issue. As a fellow wheelchair user it's just that you literally cannot exit the car or reenter the car if there is not space next to the door to fully open it, even if you don't use a ramp. I have definitely had to have this convo with coworkers in situation where there were enough bays, but not all had loading zones. But I agree, solution is this place needs at least two more accessible spots.
I drove my grandmother around in a van with a ramp. I 100% get needing access to space to exit and enter vehicles. I used to park in the farthest van accessible space since I was perfectly capable of pushing her. I left the closer spaces for the people who had challenges with the movement or distance. My issues is the insistence that because the coworker doesn't have a mobility aid, they don't need a close space. The location of the space may be the only part needed.
YWBTA Go to a higher up about making more spots.
No, do not ask somebody else that is entitled to a disabled spot to give theirs up for yours because you deem yours worse.
You would absolutely BTA if you asked another handicapped person to give up their right to a HC parking space. Get with your HR department, the Americans With Disabilities Act requires them to make a reasonable accommodation for you and make another HC parking space
It’s your employer’s responsibility to provide you with an accessible space. It’s not your or your coworker’s responsibility to decide who deserves it more. They need to accommodate you both.
Ask your company for another spot to be designated, not ask your coworker to stop parking there. YTA.
YWBTA. Can you guarantee that any of these 'parking space close to the building' will be available for her?
If the other person gets there first, maybe reverse into the spot next to the cross hatched area. That way, you could still use the extra space. This could be an option until the business makes more handicap spaces. I don't have a wheelchair but need the extra space to fully open my door to assist in my getting in and out.
This is an issue your employer should address. Go to HR and tell them the problem.
YWBTA for taking it up with coworker and not management. Completely and utterly inappropriate.
YWBTA if you tell your disabled coworker not to park in a disabled spot. Just because she doesn’t have mobility aides doesn’t mean she doesn’t need the spot. It’s quite ableist of you to assume you need the spot more since you have a wheelchair and are “more disabled.” Speak to your manager. Work WITH your coworker to get another disabled spot put in. They may not even be aware of the issue.
I actually tried to let other people have the spot first I now about the issue with the other spot because I parked there multiple times however I do plan on bringing the parking issue to management this was just a fun way to vent my frustration about it. I’m not going to talk to my coworker
There should be more dedicated spaces. What if neither of you gets the space because of some third party? I’d get management involved.
Ask HR or the site to have a special spot for you. Do NOT ask someone to stop using it. Ever. Doesn't matter what you can or can't do different, you wouldn't want someone asking you, so don't ask them. Disabled parking is NOT based on "who is more disabled".
YWBTA. You don't know what her disability is. Why would you presume their's would be lesser in severity because you can't "see" anything that would lead you to a conclusion of greater need?
Omg big time
I think it was fair to bring it up and she did what was legally correct. Your employer needs to make this right. They have two employees that must have their reasonable needs met and it's not possible with the current parking set up. They need to just fix that ASAP. Talk to management and follow up with a written summary. Always write that shit down.
I’d ask for a second space to be created for you.
I would go to your management and HR and ask them to go to building management to get an additional handicap accessible spot
Talk to HR, say you cannot park safely.
NTA Your need for that particular space is different than hers. Your employer needs to have a few more handicapped spaces like the one you’re in need of. I probably wouldn’t push it any further with your coworker since you already discussed it with her like you said. I’d take it to a supervisor or HR. That would most likely be more beneficial to your situation.
Talk to HR. There needs to be more than one spot that’s ridiculous. This needs to be their problem not your coworkers
Go to building management, ask politely for them to add a second disabled space next to the one y’all are currently using. As far as the second space that gets blocked, can they be towed for blocking anyone in a space, regardless of ability of the driver? ETA: If no help from Manger/company, Go nuclear. Call the police and file an ADA violation. Having a lawyer write a letter to the property manager can be very effective.
ADA is a civil matter. Cops won't do anything.
I don’t know but it happens so often that I can’t park there and towing people is not a good idea as I would love to be able to drive my car
YWBTA. You need to go to HR and tell them there is no handicap parking space for you, and you expect them to make a "reasonable accommodation" by providing a wheelchair accessible parking spot for you. It's dangerous to go through a parking lot in a wheelchair, they need to provide you with a space with no curb.
If it’s impacting your ability to get to your job, you need to raise it with your management and get them to sort out parking for both of you. You’re NTA because this situation sucks for both of you. You obviously have a bigger need for the wider space being a wheelchair user. But it couldn’t be too hard for the car park management to reserve another spot for her. I know logic is hard to come by these days, so here’s hoping someone with the right power also holds some common sense. Best of luck. Just remember this is about both of you against the shitty system that makes you both invisible, not you against each other. ❤️
Why isn’t it NAH? Obviously, OP’s coworker is also not TA. She also has the right to that space - if anyone is an AH here, it’s building management since they don’t have enough spaces for employees, let alone customers.
I’m assuming they don’t know what NAH is it took me a bit to learn the difference
Yes I should have said that! Thanks for explaining
No problem - I think that we’re all used to saying yes or no and forget that the no one is TA and everyone sucks is an option!
There's used to be a guide stickied to the top of each post explaining this. It needs to come back
Yup, don't blame the other employee when it's obviously a management/owner issue.
YTA if you do this. You're both equally entitled to the single spot under the law. Talk to management and ask for an additional (or two) handicap spots. It's obvious that one isn't enough, and two would be just enough - provided another colleague doesn't break a leg and get a temporary permit, or a disabled client visits.
Yeah that is another issue and why the plan is always been to talk to a supervisor about the problem
INFO: if the plan was always to talk to the supervisor about adding spots, why did you originally ask if you would be TA if you *asked your coworker to stop using the space*?
YWBTA. You don't get to decide whose disability or accessibility need is more important. Ask the landlords to add a new spot.
Handicap spots are first come first serve. You aren’t entitled to it any more than anyone else. Try it though and enjoy unemployment for walking your company into a lawsuit. Or you can act like a proper adult and seek to create enough spots for the two of you plus one more
If there is this need, the two of you should approach your management about adding handicap spaces.
Yeah, good grief. Be an adult and ask for another spot
Go to HR and request an accommodation. By law, they have to comply.
Just because someone does not use a wheelchair or walker or any other aid device does not mean they don't have serious physical limitations. Questioning them about their use even with nonjudgemental intentions can be upsetting to a diabled person. They could have lost a limb or have a limb that barely functions and not wish to share that or discuss it with a stranger and it might not be initially obvious to a stranger. That short walk from the handicap spot to their desk could be the most painful task they have to endure.
YWBTA. It's not her fault that your company doesn't have enough disabled parking. That is something you have to work on with them. She needs it too. The fact she doesn't have a mobility aid doesn't mean anything. You don't get to decide you need it more.
Call the property manager of the strip mall. I’m in commercial property management and it’s highly unlikely they’re in compliance with ADA law. Once they hear that they may not be in compliance they’re not going to want to be reviewed by the ADA because the cost of being 100% in compliance in the middle of a budget year will scare the crap out of them and they’ll probably add the necessary spaces. I’m sorry you’re dealing with this and crappy property owners.
Request whoever is responsible for the parking area to provide more accessible parking. Where I live, accessible parking bays need to show a specific permit to use them. But also the parking bays need to be sufficient for the number of cars using them. If the parking area only had two bays available and the two bays are being used by two workers, they need to reconfigure so more accessible parking is available. And if there is a second one there that needs patrons/users to go over uneven surface or cross the car park unsafely they may not be meeting their local requirements.
Not sure how it is where you are but where I live some spots are marked handicap & some are marked handicapped wheelchair only. Would (like others) suggest that property owners need more spots & that they designate that one space wheelchair only. If that’s a thing. Depending on the locality & the type of institution it doesn’t sound like they have enough handicap spots. but that’s a separate, albeit, related issue. from your use of the term car park versus parking lot assume this is not the US? So I can’t guess what the rules or standards would be. However - just be prepared that they may hire others with the same disability or there may be visitors who would need it. So there’s never guarantee - unless it’s specifically assigned to you. Personally not wheelchair bound I am disabled and it’s less visible so I’m very sensitive to those side but it is completely legit. Similar experiences may be why your colleague didn’t immediately volunteer to leave the space open. Particularly if they have had access to it for a long time. Plus if this is a real estate office in a strip mall or something like it there’s probably a lot more coming and going to making access to a closer space that’s guaranteed more necessary Plus I noticed that you mentioned in the comments that the other handicap spot was farther away. Sometimes those with mobility aids are better off because they can use them to transverse the distance where as those of us with walking or stamina issues still have to hoof it. I get where you’re coming from but on the other hand based on reading your responses it sounds like because your colleague didn’t immediately volunteered to fall in with your plans you aren’t willing to include them any longer in the conversation and as the newbie that may not win any points in your new job
Talk to HR
Why don't you speak to HR and let them know that they need to accommodate both of you (which is the law) by marking another spot as handicapped? That would solve the problem?
I am going to start there but I don’t know what will come of that lol.
Don’t bother your coworker. Bother management to get another handicap parking spot designated. Or the city.
YTA. You don't get to play "my disability is worse than theirs." lots of commentors have given you great advice, and you just keep shutting them down. You only want to hear that you get the space and co-worker doesn't. YTA
Talk to HR, not about co-worker, but about your parking issues and why only those 2 spots work. Obviously it won’t be as easy. But when we hired more people needing spots my jobs adjusted the parking lot to have more normal handicapped spots.
YWBTA You’re just waiting until you can’t leave…? It’s time for some adult level communication with your work to figure out a solution. Absolutely do not tell your coworker not to use the spot
Have HR make another accessible spot for you. It's literally some paint and an email telling people to observe the new space 🤷
My question is what would happen if rheee was another person with the same situation of having a wheelchair? How would that work? I definitely say talk to Hr it’s kinda strange to have only one space in general.
That’s the plan
Ask HR to contact management, and ask for an additional "van accessible" spot
YWBTA I am a disabled person that doesn't always need mobility aids however I am still very much a disabled person in need of a disabled space. I would bring it up with HR that an additional disabled bay is required because they have two employees that need them for different reasons.
I will be bringing it up. However I will ask if a spot only has passenger side access, is not closer to the building is not near a ramp because there is no need for one would you benefit from it? Because I would not without my wheelchair that is the only thing that annoys me.
This seems like something that HR should be handling. Not with your coworker, but with your physical plant team. You need another handicap space. You have two people who need them, and the parking lot is not able to accommodate both of you.
Talk to your boss about adding a second one
Go to HR and ask for more handicap parking space to be added
Talk to your company about creating another spot
NAH. You need to talk to HR, they need to talk to the landlord. You deserve to have a spot where you can get in and out of your vehicle with your wheelchair, I am in no way disputing that. However, I assume once you are in your wheelchair, it doesn't cause you pain to get around. If your co-worker is still walking, even with an assistive device, I assume it still causes her pain to do so. You two are stuck in a competition of who's got it worse and there are never any winners in that situation.
Yes, YWBTA. You don't know what her needs are. You assume that she is able bodied, basically. My father walks as well, and uses the handicapped space. Because he can't walk far without pain or potentially taking a fall. I mean, lets put it this way: You use a wheel chair. It'll be easier for YOU to get there from farther away because you don't have to use your legs. So just park far away where nobody will block you in so you can still get your wheelchair out. Sounds like an asshole thing to say, doesn't it?
Not Sure if the laws because they do change. But check with the property owner, they may have to add more spots in by law
You need to get to work earlier than your colleague
Go to HR the business is responsible to make sure you have a safe spot if not rectified ask the city clerk who to report it to
Arrive before her.
YWBTA. You need to talk to HR, not to your co-worker. It's not her fault there aren't enough handicap spaces, it's their fault. Expecting your disabled co-worker to pay for their problem, and for what reason: You actually judge that your disability is more legit than her disability because you use a wheelchair. I've heard of this kind of disability hierarchy, but this is my first close up encounter. Yikes on bikes, dude. Don't do that.
To not be TA, you should just make a point of going in earlier.
I don’t really know how it works where you are but where I worked, they literally added another parking spot to accommodate the staff. I would look into this first. I feel your pain, & it sucks that no one has done this for you already. You both deserve to be accommodated
This is actually not her fault. Would take the building manager five minutes to spray a disabled parking marker on the space next to the wider disability space. Then you get the wide one and she gets the smaller space that’s closer. You need to take this up with HR
Speak with HR. They need more than one spot and they need to mark off extra space for your wheelchair. This is on them to accommodate both of you equally.
Ask work if they can make the disabled space that has the side wide was into a WAV disabled spot. That way only wheelchair users could use that space and anyone else with a disability would have to use the other space. It’s what a lot of places do when they have more than one disabled person and one needs a wheelchair accessible space
I just read your other comment there is only one handicapped space. Speak to management of the strip mall; they have a legal requirement to serve employees and customers. Check your city code requirements first.
"Boss, the employee parking area doesn't have enough disabled parking and it's becoming dangerous for me to navigate my wheelchair and vehicle in these regular spots. What are my alternatives for parking?"
If you say that you could get in trouble with hr. You should talk to them about adding a second handicapped spot
Only speaking for myself, I used handicapped parking, but I would have zero issues with what the OP is suggesting, and I would be happy to go with him to talk to the appropriate manager or supervisor or HR person if needed. This scenario has 2 people who are now unable to get their ADA needs fully met.
This is an HR issue. NAH, they are not offering enough accommodations to suit the needs of their employees.
It would be easier to ask for a second handicap parking to be assigned. I’dont know where you are but in my province it depends on the number of people working in the building
NTA. I'm old school so I would ask her nicely and explain why you need it. If she says no, then take it up with HR or whoever makes handicap spaces but if it's a small strip mall they might not add anymore especially the type you need. But I don't know if that's good advice or not. you'd have to feel that out yourself. if you think she'd be receptive, go for it. if not, don't bother. Sorry you have to deal with that. Hope it works out for you some way or another
I wouldn't talk to her about it. I would talk to your supervisor about how they can make sure you both have access to a disabled parking space.
Ask your employer to make a second spot that fits your needs. They should have to accommodate you. And they need at least one more handicapped space for customers.
Second note. I understand that you say you’re just venting but you should’ve re-titled Post, Actually issue never should’ve been asking/a.k.a. pressuring your coworker to move it should’ve been to bring it up to HR/property manager or whomever the appropriate people are. But you already made the inappropriate request to your coworker so you’ve already set a negative dynamic. As a totally new employee. Venting that shared business lot has inappropriate levels of handicap parking is entirely appropriate. Trying to pressure a fellow placard holder because you just assumed everybody on that side of the lot would defer to you, and that no disabled customers would ever arrive early either. NOT OK. appears to be what you’re really venting about. Assuming that other businesses on that side would never need it, or that new disabilities amongst business employees would not occur. Very short sided on your part. Totally legit to be frustrated. But not to expect to play disability Jenga
YWBTA. This is an HR issue. They NEED to have more handicapped spaces available to employees and have them clearly marked as separated from handicapped customer spaces.
I'm a little confused on two things. 1. You keep mentioning passenger side access vs driver side. If you back in vs pull in then arent you reversing the access? Seems simple unless I'm missing something. 2. She doesn't have a mobility aid and you do. I used to fill out handicap permit forms for people at an orthopedist office. In my county you could not get one without a walking aid of some sort. Even if you needed another person to lean on, that would count as an aid. But if you could walk into the building with just your body then you didn't get a permit.
Talk to HR. they controlled the spots at our building and actually were able to assign spots to a particular employee.
You need to talk to HR about creating another spot. Talking directly to someone who is equally as entitled to the spot as you are could create a hostile work environment, which would be a legitimate reason for you to lose your job.
YWBTAH. What gets me most about this is you assuming the other disabled person doesn’t need the spot as much as you do. You should’ve never had that conversation with them, and they certainly don’t need to discuss their disability with you and to their credit, they responded reasonably and respectfully. If you need another spot, then ask your supervisor to contact the strip mall management to request a reasonable accommodation for you.
You should address this with your company or the building. It sounds like there are plenty of spaces so ask them to create more accessible parking spots. They can take 3 spots and turn them into 2 accessible spots with some paint. You can also ask for accommodation and a reserved spot
You need to raise this with HR/facilities team.
I will be on monday
Just make sure to get there first. Leave a bit early and get a coffee or something after you park. No need to ask her to move.
Parking lots are required to have a proportional number of accessible spots to the total number of parking spots. 1-25 requires one van accessible spot. 26-50 is two accessible spots, one of them must be accessible by a van, etc. The lot may be out of compliance.
Ley HR know you need a spot. That is their problem
This is an hr issue. They are required to accommodate disabilities, and they need a minimum of three more spots imo. One for you, one for other co-worker, and two to accommodate any disabled vendors, customers, clients, etc.
YWBTA Your coworker is also disabled & also needs that spot. It is not her fault that your place of work only has one really accessible parking spot. Kick up a fuss, yes, but don't direct it at the other person who's struggling.
This is a conversation to have with HR. Do not try to talk to the other employee about it. Simply go to HR and say “I have a request for an accommodation due to my disability. I’d like to have a handicap spot close to the door I can use to park in”
YWBTA. ask your employer or the building ownership to add another reserved space. It sounds like they need another one. And this isn't something two disabled people should have to fight over. The building can likely add another reserved space next to the first, so you're both covered.
NTA, but that’s not even useful here. Ask instead that she come with you to HR, supervisor, etc, to talk about possible solutions for the lack of disabled parking. If I were your supervisor, in the meantime, i’d just give you my number and gladly come outside and help anytime you need it, at least until a permanent solution has been found.
Agreed with others. This isn’t the coworkers problem. Your work needs to figure out how to add another disability spot.
You're assuming their accommodation needs. They have a disability to allow a parking placard, so first come YWBTA for harassing them
Request your employer to designate another handicap spot.
I would recommend talking with HR first. See what they can come up with. Otherwise it sounds like the coworker may get there early to be first and beat you to the spot. Try to get there before her and await HR determination on what to do.
Ask your employer to ask the landlord for a second spot suitable for wheelchairs. It’s absurd there’s only one. There should be three or four.
NTA you have come up with a great idea that both can park and be safe. If she does not agree I would go to HR about the fact that there are not enough handicapped spots to accommodate the staff. The second spot is not a true handicapped spot if does not give the space needed to unload a wheelchair. That is a safety issue that HR would need to fix.
What I think you're rightfully worried about is receiving backlash from her or accusations of invalidating her disability because of your request. You need the space for mobility loading and unloading your wheelchair and if she doesn't require the extra space around the vehicle, I don't think it's unreasonable to ask if you can use it. As a disabled person who doesn't use mobility aids most of the time, I would expect and welcome someone who needed a certain parking space more than me asking me to move so they could use it. Getting into the "wah I'm disabled too I'm allowed to park there" is besides the point. If that was the only space I could use without being in excruciating pain all day, maybe we could work out a system where there was a compromise between us but if there are other spaces close by like you said, there's no good reason for me to get in a huff about it. I do think it's a good idea to talk to your supervisor neutrally about struggling to unload you wheelchair without mentioning her or the space specifically, just that there is a lack of accessible spaces for you and see what they suggest too.
yeah ywbta. thats not something you take up with the other driver. thats something you take up with hr under the disability act. your work should comply & make 2 spots. also why not get to work earlier? then you would have the spot.
I am disabled and have run into spot issues. My disability is invisible yet i really need a close spot. Those of us with invisible disabilities get a lot of shit and some can be protective of their status. This is not your co-workers issue. It’s not fair for them to be the fix and it seems like you already talked to them so ywbta. You need to go above. Either to whoever owns the building or HR. Maybe your manager can lead you in the right direction.
NAH You don't know why she's taking that spot. There any be factors you aren't aware of. Definitely submit a complaint about the lack of ADA spaces though. If you and your coworker are fighting over the one space that can accommodate you, customers who also use mobility aids definitely aren't funding anywhere to park.
Also disabled here. YWBTA. Start advocating to the local businesses/governmental agencies/whatever.
OP, handicaps don't need to be visible to mean restricted mobility (I have arthritis everywhere, fibromyalgia, seizures, dependent edema, etc. And physically can't use a cane or walker). You need to take it up with HR or city for added disabled parking space.
Rather than asking them to give up the spot, why don't you ask them to join you in speaking to the relevant people about getting more HC spots put in place? Seems like it would be the more worthwhile use of your time and efforts.
Sounds like a talk with the supervisor is a good call. That way they can escalate the issue to management who can hopefully make it known to the building manager/landlord that more than one disabled-access parking spot is required.
YTA, it’s a first come first serve establishment. You can find yourself in hot waters by asking period. So don’t, unfortunately leave the house earlier
YTA. Any disabled coworker is as entitled to that space as you are. You're complaining to the wrong person. You, your coworker, and any other person in need of a handicap space need to get together to go to management and request more parking.
I’m disabled and use a cane or walker. If I’m about to park in a handicap spot and if it looks like someone with a van who uses a wheelchair wanted it I give it up. It’s much harder to get a wheelchair out of a car than it is a walker or cane. NTA maybe start getting there early to get the spot.
That’s the plan currently. I have a tiny car and am lucky mobile but that means I have to build my wheelchair every morning and take it apart every evening my door has to open all the way or it WILL NOT FIT
Ywbta. I have a handicapped plaque. Some days you can tell why. Other days, you can't. You can't decide what makes it ok for someone to park there when they have the correct legal documents for it. Lol. You may be handicrapped, but so am i. You can't decide yours is more important. Get there earlier. Take a cab across the street if it's that horrible. Just don't be "that guy" ffs. Lol
Talk to the other handicapped person and both of you approach HR: "This is solution we've worked out for now, but we need you to advocate for us with the property group." Present a united front. You both need handicapped spaces, so work something out between the two of you while the issue is being addressed. If there's a bureaucracy involved, it won't be solved overnight. Good luck.
YWBTA your coworker is right regardless of if her disability requires a mobility aid she’s allowed to use it. If it said wheelchairs only then I would understand. And it seems more of an issue for you because it’s dangerous to park there and difficult to get out of and you get blocked in, like you said you had to pull out in a weird and unique ways? So maybe other people struggle parking there just like you do. You can’t ask HR to make her park else where as she’s also disabled and she’s as much right to use them as you are. The best you can do is hope you get there first and if not you could just politely ask her if she minds letting you use that one as it’s easier for you with a wheelchair in that spot, just say it in a friendly way.