Full time work too much

gemz10

Good afternoon,

I wonder what experiences people have had with reducing the working day/days worked?

I have had rheumatoid arthritis for 15 years and am mid forties now. Finding it hard to work full time, care for husband, the house, dog, and parents. I am tired all the time so have been thinking about reducing a day. However I wonder if this would help in the right way. I would still be out of the house by 7.45 and not home untill 6.30. This is a long day for 9-5.30 work but necessary to allow for travel/traffic. What makes it difficult is there isn't any time for fitting everything in, especially when realistically to feel even a little rested I need 9 hrs sleep. Any thoughts on if the extra day off would help despite the long days?

With thanks,

Exhausted Gem

MaryL44

Hi @gemz10 I just wanted to share my experience of part time working. I reduced my working week by one day some time ago - at that time it wasn't due to illness but caring responsibilities. I chose one full day off because it meant I didn't have to travel but I wonder whether it may be possible/worth it for you to simply work shorter days? That would mean traveling every day so may not be ideal but it may be worth you discussing with your employers? Could you also consider working from home? The commute does seem to be a major factor in the length of your days.

I'm sure you'll have thought of these ideas yourself but I just thought I'd mention them while you wait for further responses from our community.

Let us know how you get on.

Mary

Ellen

Would you consider having some domestic help? A cleaner maybe once a week so that the house feels like one less responsibility? Just a thought, I know some of our members have done so in the past. One used to use part of her PIP to pay for it.

Ellen.

frogmorton

If it doesn't affect your pension and you can afford it going part time might be the solution for you. It has helped a lot of us so cope better. More rest days too. As long as you do try to rest on those days.

Getting a cleaner might be an idea too if you can afford it. So much of this depends on yours and your partner's finances doesn't it?

Working is so good for us mentally and socially, but full-time can be too much when you have a long term painful condition.

Sending ((())) I hope you can do something to ease things

Toni x

gemz10

Thank you for your responses. I think I will talk it through with the bosses. Unfortunately I can't work from home due to the nature or my role but I feel confident now to broach the subject with work and see what they can offer.

Many thanks

Michele

Hi

I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis 2 years ago and reduced my hours last year too shorter days, which helped me but i don't have caring duties.

Does your workplace have something called a carers passport to allow for adjustments within the workplace? - but as previous replies perhaps reducing hours by either a day or shorter maybe the way to go.

TUL50

I was working part time when I was diagnosed. In January this year, I got the go ahead to start working more regular hours - 8.30 - 4.30 4 days a week. That day off is a real boon and I only lose an hour a week. I can't work from home either, but I really enjoy my Fridays now. I would seriously consider asking your bosses for shorter hours if you can financially afford it. I don't get PIP or anything, but might need to apply, because of how slow I've become.

Littleone

Hello there,

I just wanted to share my experience I am in my 30s with OA in the hip I have recently been in a very similar situation working full time but rather than tired I kept having flare up of chronic pain and I think working plus looking after the children and home life added to this as it didn't give much time to rest. I've since been in conversations with work and the GP and it was advised by the GP to work a day then rest a day so I now work 3 days a week and wanted to share how I didn't realise how much difference this actually has made in the last month of trialling it. My pain has significantly reduced having the rest days and my mental and emotional health has improved which I didn't even think was an issue before. I feel so much happier however obviously this has impacted my finances but to see such a great improvement in my physical and emotional health I would recommend considering it or adjusting your long hours if possible. Also speaking with the GP about it I am lucky in that I have a lovely GP who said she will support in anyway she can and gave me a fit note for work. My work have also been very understanding and now have adjusted my contract. I hope you manage to find a better balance. 😊

Poppyjane

Welcome @Littleone to the community

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. It sounds as if the changes you negotiated with work and the help of your GP have really helped redress your work/life balance. Like many of us you don't appreciate until you have a change of routine how much physical strain and emotional stress you were experiencing. So well done for grasping the solution and diverting a potential crisis and thank you again for sharing your experience with us.

Do join us again soon, there are some great resources provided by the information links plus our hidden gem of members experiences which help so many others.

Best wishes

Poppyjane