Hi - I am new to this forum, and couldn't quite see the answer to my query but sorry if I am repeating anything.
I see a lot of people who are worried about having their working hours reduced, but I am seriously thinking about requesting less days per week - which seems a bit crazy given the recession and that I have no savings, but - I currently work full-time (5 days per week) and, due to my condition and the knock-on effects, my capacity for anything outside of work is diminishing by the day.
Even keeping on top of laundry and housework is difficult, never mind visiting relatives and pursuing hobbies. I feel if I worked less hours, and could get by financially, I could start working on getting more of a normal life. I have no idea what my employer would think about this. Originally they were quite threatening over issues related to my condition, mostly sickness absence, but over the past 2 years they, and I, have become more informed and they have been a lot more understanding.
Has anyone here had the same thoughts and feelings? Has anyone got any advice they might be willing to share? I can't help thinking people would think me weak..but I have been fighting arthritis passionately for so long - when to I see results?!
Be great to get a second opinion!
Cheers.
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I too was in your position - really struggling working full time - I reduced my hours to 30 per week so not huge reduction but they were spread over 4 days. I found I had 5 days work to do in 4 days but maybe your experience would be different. It did it for a while but health wise things got worse and so I have now finished work. i think it depends on your circumstances - my family life became very stressful at the same time as my health got much worse so reducing my hours wasnt really the answer. If everything else in life had been ok then yes it would have worked. I know of colleagues who now work 4 days say it works great.
Whatever you decide - hope it works out for you - it is awful to feel you have to virtually give up any sort of personal / family life to work but I had reached that point and I really sympathise. Best wishes to you Xx
It worked out well as my spare hours plus a part timer leaving meant that they could take on a full time young man who otherwise would have been unemployed. That made me feel that I wasn't letting anyone down.
I managed the 3 day week until about last July, when I couldn't do the job anymore and was finished on medical grounds.
It helped me and gave me a couple of extra years of working.
Like you struggled with diminishing quality of life outside of work, I have RA which has also affected my lungs. With the support of my headteacher(I work in a primary school teaching 5yr olds), 18 months ago I reduced to 3 days a week which is much better. I have to admit that when my RA is active I still struggle on work days, but the rest of the week is so much better.
I'd say if you can do it go for it-after all life is to be lived not just endured. Hope things work ouit for you.
Deb x
I'm in a very similar situation to you and am currently doing 5 days a week in an office for a Local Authority, but in a small team. I recently asked to drop down to a 4 day week as recommended (and evidenced on paper) by Occupational Health. I'm still awaiting a response but am now aggressively chasing. Dropping hours is a personal thing - I was asked by Occy Health could I afford to drop? They suggested 3 days pr/wk, but I want to keep that for the future.
Your Income Tax and NI payments will go down so you may not be much worse off financially. Could you claim Working Tax Credit?
I'd say, if you don't ask you'll never know the answer. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
GraceB
I'm flabbergasted - truly I am. So, it looks like I'll now have to find another post which I can do on a 4 day a week basis.
Isn't it amazing at the responses you get, especially when they've got medical evidence of your request and how they can happily ignore such evidence?
GraceB
GraceB