Occupational health/amending my hours

Hello. I’m new to the site. I’m having zoladex injections and due to discuss a hysterectomy with my consultant next week. However work suggested OH to be involved to assess my working hours. OH suggest 3 mornings a week due to extreme fatigue. HR have said now they have that with that suggestion they are offering me to work the 3 mornings and only get paid for those hours or work my full 3 days. I am allowed 6 months full sick pay. Im struggling to work my 3 days but can’t afford to reduce my pay. Has any one been through this? I can’t understand how they can do that?

[Lofty1589]

I’m having to face something similar at this point. My manager has been absolutely awful to me in regards to my sickness level. I’m an apprentice there for a year, and have completed 6 months. But I’ve had absences for 5 months - growing worse in the last 2 months. For endo and with all this waiting, it is going to be like that because I am doing all I can and struggling immensely. I’m at the point of considering quitting but money is needed.

I spoke to my work’s Occupational Health back in Decemeber I believe and their recommendation was to take Wednesdays off (I have NVQ study in the afternoon) and spread out the hours to make my other days longer. As it is, I am getting the earliest and latest bus I can to get to and from work. My current working hours are 8:30-16:30 which is a full 37.5hr working week. I struggle so much by lunchtime, a lot of the time I regret walking into the office.

As someone who earns £3.70 an hour, it is so difficult for me to reduce my hours and still afford things like travel and the rent my mother wants for me to live at home. Not to mention other expenses. At this point, I feel like it is something I am going to have to start considering because I am seriously not coping.

I’ve got another referral in for OH so we shall see what they say this time around. Last time they wrote on the report that needing time off every month due to pain etc was very, very likely and they would have to support that. Instead they’re making me feel pressured and guilty for wanting and needing the time out of work🤷🏻‍♀️

I hope everything works out for you - you can always shoot me a message if you’d like 😊

[Moonglo]

Hallo, have a look for a post from Klea487 who had a similar question (click on Search in the top menu of this site). People mention some options like approaching your GP, Citizens Advice and finding out about the Disability Act.

[Ted39]

I couldn’t work at all while taking Zoladex for 3 months, I didn’t function properly at all. Struggled with even showering and dressing - so exhausted! Just go to doctors and explain, also helps to have an understanding employer. I felt it turned me into someone I’m not! And the thought of going to work was very frightening. Now I’m over that and back to work (reduced hours), I’m feeling like me again.

Look after yourself