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.