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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU for requesting reasonable adjustments for a disability at work

68 replies

Catty21 · 13/09/2025 20:06

I’ve been off work for a while due to an illness that has now made me disabled. Prior to going off sick , my role was full time. My consultant, family and my works occupational health assessment have all pointed out going back full time will be detrimental to my health and that I request to reduce my hours. I have requested reasonable adjustments to reduce my work to 4 days a week instead of 5. This has been rejected . For context, my role is admin working from home and it’s not like it’s senior role or one that would cause an issue if my hours were reduced. The company I work for is a large corporation so it’s not like I am working for a small business either.

My employer knows I’m protected under the Equality Act but have basically said , yes we acknowledge you have a disability , but we can’t make reasonable adjustments for it and if you cannot do full time, you will have to resign. It feels like they don’t want to me return and they are doing this on purpose so I resign.

AIBU by requesting dropping a day ? Where do I stand legally ? Do I just resign ? I have spoken to ACAS but all they have done is email me generic advice .

Any advice ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Catty21 · 13/09/2025 20:29

ItsOnlyHobnobs · 13/09/2025 20:13

What’s the nature of your work? I don’t mean too many details, but are you answering calls/email inboxes on a full working week basis?

Does anyone else do the work you do?

Data entry/spread sheets , odd email. I’m not in a role that requires being on hand to take calls or emails constantly

OP posts:
MelonElla · 13/09/2025 20:28

What reason have they given for saying no?

Original poster
Catty21 · 13/09/2025 20:27

DeathStare · 13/09/2025 20:17

As others have said please speak to your union - I hope you're a member.

However if thats not an option it would be worth going back to HR and asking them if there is a different pattern of part time working they would consider reasonable. For example some employers would argue that 4 days isn't possible as they can't get anyone to cover 1 day, whereas 2/2.5/3 days would mean they could recruit a job share.

I’m not in a union and they rejected job share too

OP posts:
Original poster
Catty21 · 13/09/2025 20:26

InfoSecInTheCity · 13/09/2025 20:10

They have to justify a rejection, so what have they said is the business need, is it just that they need full time hours or is it that they need admin work completed on all of the days Monday-Friday in order to meet SLA’,s, could you suggest part time hours across 5 days instead for example as a compromise?

Business need basically, have for that compromise and same no answer

OP posts:
Original poster
Catty21 · 13/09/2025 20:24

Whyherewego · 13/09/2025 20:18

It feels very much like that they are trying to force you to resign.

As PP said, they need to give a reason. So can you go back and offer a mitigation or alternative taking their reasoning into account. for example 6 hour days across 5 days ? Or swapping your NWD across the different weeks so they have you different days of the week or a trial period?

If your work OH have recommended it then I am flabbergasted that a large company would refuse. Any ET would rule in your favour because it is not credible for a large employer to be incapable of taking the recommendations of their OH and accommodating part time !

Is it possible your line manager has refused without consulting HR? Maybe worth dropping a line to HR team to check?

If you want to go nuclear, then email the CEO and say:
I have been ill and recently returned to work (or want to return . Whatever the situation). I have just been refused part time working arrangements. My request was because the company OH specifically recommended this as a measure and therefore this would fall under reasonable adjustments under the DDA. If you force me to resign then I will be taking you to an employment tribunal for constructive dismissal.

HR and my manager are both singing from the same hymn book, which makes me think they want me to just quit and walk away slightly

OP posts:
HeddaGarbled · 13/09/2025 20:18

This hinges on whether the adjustment is reasonable or not. You think it is, they claim not.

Can you make a case for you not working one day a week having no or minimal impact or an impact that could be remedied without unreasonable expense or difficulty?

Whyherewego · 13/09/2025 20:18

It feels very much like that they are trying to force you to resign.

As PP said, they need to give a reason. So can you go back and offer a mitigation or alternative taking their reasoning into account. for example 6 hour days across 5 days ? Or swapping your NWD across the different weeks so they have you different days of the week or a trial period?

If your work OH have recommended it then I am flabbergasted that a large company would refuse. Any ET would rule in your favour because it is not credible for a large employer to be incapable of taking the recommendations of their OH and accommodating part time !

Is it possible your line manager has refused without consulting HR? Maybe worth dropping a line to HR team to check?

If you want to go nuclear, then email the CEO and say:
I have been ill and recently returned to work (or want to return . Whatever the situation). I have just been refused part time working arrangements. My request was because the company OH specifically recommended this as a measure and therefore this would fall under reasonable adjustments under the DDA. If you force me to resign then I will be taking you to an employment tribunal for constructive dismissal.

Youdontseehow · 13/09/2025 20:18

My experience with HR/dropping hours is that dropping from 5 to 4 days is never something seen as acceptable because it’s too hard to fill a one day a week post to make up the shortfall and fulfil business need.

You might have a better chance stopping to three days as a two day post could be easy to fill.

Silverbirchleaf · 13/09/2025 20:17

Do you want to do five days work in four? Or just work regular hours for four days?

DeathStare · 13/09/2025 20:17

As others have said please speak to your union - I hope you're a member.

However if thats not an option it would be worth going back to HR and asking them if there is a different pattern of part time working they would consider reasonable. For example some employers would argue that 4 days isn't possible as they can't get anyone to cover 1 day, whereas 2/2.5/3 days would mean they could recruit a job share.

SallySuperTrooper · 13/09/2025 20:16

ItsOnlyHobnobs · 13/09/2025 20:13

What’s the nature of your work? I don’t mean too many details, but are you answering calls/email inboxes on a full working week basis?

Does anyone else do the work you do?

This, did they give a reason or just say 'no'.

Original poster
Catty21 · 13/09/2025 20:15

Forgot to add I’m not a in a union

OP posts:
Zempy · 13/09/2025 20:13

Are you a trade union member? They will be able to help.

ItsOnlyHobnobs · 13/09/2025 20:13

What’s the nature of your work? I don’t mean too many details, but are you answering calls/email inboxes on a full working week basis?

Does anyone else do the work you do?

Praying4Peace · 13/09/2025 20:12

Seems totally unfair.
You need to seek advice from a union

Sixredjumpersoneblackskirt · 13/09/2025 20:12

Don't resign let them dismiss you on ill health grounds, you are better protected that way. Also seek advice from your union /acas. I was dismissed on ill health grounds after reasonable adjustments failed and they wouldn't/couldn't do any more adjustments. I went onto claim ill health retirement but the process of being dismissed meant I had lots of proof that heelp me gain my pension, and disability benefits.

InfoSecInTheCity · 13/09/2025 20:10

They have to justify a rejection, so what have they said is the business need, is it just that they need full time hours or is it that they need admin work completed on all of the days Monday-Friday in order to meet SLA’,s, could you suggest part time hours across 5 days instead for example as a compromise?

Madwomanuptheroad29 · 13/09/2025 20:09

You need to speak to your union. If you are pushed into resigning it could be constructive dismissal - but you need legal advice from your rep.

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