Advice

[Natalie6289]

Hi All

I have a meeting with my manager and executive director tomorrow to discuss reducing my hours at work slightly, my performance and how they can support me.

I wrote a page describing how I feel on a daily basis and how it affects my work so they would hopefully understand a little better.

Is anyone still working and received additional support from their employer? Any suggestions on how they can support me if they asked me what I wanted? I was thinking in asking for a light decrease in my workload? to be honest I have no clue!

Any advice appreciated x

[Hidden]

I had to leave work due to my M.E. The work I did was very supportive as was Occ Health Dr but there was only so much could be done - shorter hours, reduction of work load and rest breaks were an option but due to the nature of the work weren't very practical and I couldn't even get well enough for those before they let me go, (about 18 months sick before I was terminated I think).

I think by law, (THINK), in the UK that an employer must make an attempt at making it easier for you to work.

[Natalie6289]

I guess I will have to wait and see what they suggest, I have put forward what I would like.

I had a google and they do have to make reasonable adjustments, they have been very good with my time off for hospital appointments (and there have a been lots this year).

My job is office based, basically a secretary for all the committees we have, I am struggling with deadlines, everything is taking me twice as long with extra concentration, people are used to how I was working before which was pretty much on the ball so I guess they are noticing the difference now.

I am not having a great week so far this week, luckily I am working from home today so can wander around in my PJ's chatting to the dog and eat cake! Every cloud and all that.

[Hidden in reply to Natalie6289]

Good luck. Hope things can be made easier for you.

When I left work it was only then that I realised how compromised I was. Like yourself I had always been on the ball and went from that to barely holding my sh1t together in the space of a year

Be interested to hear how you get on too, if you wouldn't mind sharing?

[Natalie6289 in reply to Hidden]

Happy to share, will let you know what happens!

[Natalie6289 in reply to Hidden]

I think it went ok, they said they thought I should reduce my hours by more but I told them financially I can't afford to do less hours, we talked about lightening my workload a little and them understanding that things are taking me longer and I find it hard to concentrate some days, had a chat about how to lighten my workload.

They said we would meet next week to talk through a plan to make sure I was happy.

I just hope they want to reduce my hours too much, I won't be able to afford my rent etc.

[Hidden in reply to Natalie6289]

If you are in the UK you may qualify for assistance, check out Citizens Advice. If you are in the US, then I hope things improve quickly

[Natalie6289 in reply to Hidden]

UK 👍🏻

[Hidden in reply to Natalie6289]

RIGHT, get your @ss down to CA ASAP. I was able to get benefits when my pay had stopped but was still 'employed'. There may be other things such as rent/mortgage that you can get help with too - I think they pay the interest payments on the mortgage, well they used to.

I was worried for a bit there you were American and in that case it would be sink or sink!! They might pay low taxes but when you add up private health care, education, etc, etc, they are being fleeced while thinking they are OK as long as its not taxes, (which the rich politicians know and play on).

Get the help now before Brexit and we become a satellite of the U.S. and can't afford fresh air!!!

[Natalie6289 in reply to Hidden]

I'm hoping they took on board my financial concerns, I have a 121 with my manager on Monday so I might have more of an idea on what the plan will be!

I had meetings all day today and really started to struggle around 3pm 😴 journey home was horrible I felt so ill.

[Kitten50]

Hope they can help you. I had to give up working as I cannot go for longer than 3 hours before I need to rest and sleep. It's mentally and physically exhausting trying to work. X

[Natalie6289 in reply to Kitten50]

Yes some days I find it exhausting, well most days but days like today when I feel really really unwell it's such a struggle. X

[Starry]

Thinking of you

There is quite a good guide for employers on the action for me website, it sounds like they are being pretty supportive though.

I empathise I have just been signed off 2 more months and my sick.pay has run out. We'll cope somehow as my oh works but is still a big worry.

[Natalie6289 in reply to Starry]

I made it clear I didn't want to go off sick, I don't think that would benefit me at the moment and they agreed, although every day is a struggle and I sometimes wondering why I bother x

[Starry in reply to Natalie6289]

Yes, i sooo empathize with that feeling.

I suppose while you get something out of it, purpose, money, social contact its worth holding onto. But not at the expense of your health or sanity, you are the best judge of that xxx

Take care of you xx