Reducing working hours temporarily

[Summerrain14]

I currently work full time and love my job. However I am really struggling to work full time at the moment. Had a meeting with HR and it has been agreed for me to reduce my current hours from 35 to 28 hours a week. One less commute to and from work and break the working week up. A temporary change in my terms and conditions will be issued and reviewed in three months. Referral being made to occupational health too. HR have been very supportive. It’s been a real psychology journey for me to admit I am currently not able to work full time at the moment but am proud of myself for accepting some help. Now need to look at getting taxis to and from work to reduce my commute to. I have access to work in place so will contact Access to work about this. Thinking of one day of taxis to start with if agreed and seeing how it goes. Could ask for taxis all the time but am determined to keep some independence. I have worked hard to gain confidence commuting to and from work with having very restricted vision and having to use a white stick. Very fortunate to have these options. Working hard to remember to try and see this as a positive. 😊

[Mmrr]

It all sounds like a positive decision and good to have a supportive workplace that values you. I worked 4 days before I was diagnosed, part of my run down to retirement, and found it really good. Working 5, off 2, seems so much more than working 4 off 3, if that makes sense ?

4/3 restores a bit of balance.

[Summerrain14 in reply to Mmrr]

This is what I am hoping that working 4 days and having 3 days off will really help get a little bit of a work life balance. I have really started to appreciate how supportive my employers are. 😊

[sylvi]

I am proud of you for having the courage to ask for help. Not many would do they would keep going until they couldn't they couldn't work no more, so well done to you.xxxx

[Summerrain14 in reply to sylvi]

Thanks lovely. I have really struggled to ask for help but not been coping that way since November so the time has come. I really want to continue to work for as long as I can. I love my job and it really helps me to think of others and support them. I am so fortunate to have such a supportive employer. I have needed to follow some of my own advice and accept some help. Hehe. How are you lovely? x

[sylvi in reply to Summerrain14]

I am at the drs tomorrow afternoon to find out what my chest x-ray says and if it is clear then I want to know why I still have breathing problems. My RA is still giving me a good kicking, but I am still alive and I have a lovely hubby so what more can a gal ask for.xxxx

[Summerrain14 in reply to sylvi]

Aww bless you lovely. Hope your appointment goes ok at the drs tomorrow. xx

[Hidden]

Good idea reducing your hours . It sounds like your employers are very supportive. Have you thought about claiming Pip? It’s not means tested and it would help with reduced wages and taxi fares

[Summerrain14 in reply to Hidden]

My employers are so supportive which is really helping. I already get PIP as registered Deaf/Blind so that helps. Have working tax credit too so really I am so fortunate to be able to opt for part time if this works well for me. I too have access to work who can reimburse the cost of taxis to and from work which would be around £60 a day. I currently get a taxi to the main town centre and get a tram and then bus to work but thinking of seeing if I can have two days a week where I have taxis door to door both ways. I have really fought hard to be as independent as possible however the time has come for me to accept a bit more help. I have the option with work to make my hours permanently part time too should I wish to. I am so so lucky. I have been very emotional about it all, battling with myself about accepting the help.

[Hidden in reply to Summerrain14]

Well done you accepting and changing is so difficult emotionally. We just don’t want to admit defeat. Your employers should be held up as a prime example of to support their staff.

[Summerrain14 in reply to Hidden]

They certainly should. They have supported me emotionally with my decision too as they appreciate how difficult this decision has been. They were praising me for having such an excellent attendance and doing such a good job despite my own challenges. So lovely to be so valued and supported. My manager not so great but not the worst. I even get the day off for attending my hospital appointments and no issue with me seeing GP either. I really am so so lucky.

[springcross]

Good luck with it all Summerrain and kudos to your employers who obviously value you. x