Requesting to reduce hours

[NGC2017]

Hi

I have been with my employer now for 3 years. I enjoy my job but am becoming really burned out and is is affecting my health.

I am a single mom to a 3 year old who's health isn't the best. He has regular sickness, appointments, emergencies that I have to be around for (his dad has chosen to not be in his life). I have help from family but as his mom I do feel it is my responsibility to be with him in these instances. I also have poorly parents, poor health myself, and now our family dog has been deteriorating fast am I have had to take alot of time of for his emergency appointments. I never seem to stop and cant help but feel why I am never without illness and chronic fatigue.

I work 35 hours over 5 days a week. When my son was 2 I requesting to work 3 or 4 days a week to allow more time with my son as I felt like I was missing out on a lot. My request was rejected as it wasn't viable for the business. Now because of the impact life is having on my health and wellbeing, (I am currently on sertaline to help relieve anxiety) I really want to reduce to 3 days a week (21 hours) as I dont want to get myself to the point I am so burned out I am put on long term sick and become useless to my son. My worry is as my boss has rejected my request before he is likely to reject it again, but I do feel it is important to make sure I am not running myself into the ground.

Does anyone have any advice?

Many thanks

[Queenio24]

All you can do is ask.
You are probably aware from your previous experience, these things aren't always agreed though.
I asked to work a day from home last year to enable me to take my ill child to appts and to reduce my commute as I was feeling burned out too with a long term health problem.
The company (large with a well established flex working policy) did everything they could to block it. My union advised me to do make the request citing my disability, as a reasonable adjustment, my company then made all sorted of veiled threats about cutting my hours if I was too ill to work FT in an office. Their behaviour and mistrust was such a kick in the teeth I left soon after and got a job with reduced hours.