Would you resent a colleague who has this ‘privilege’

[Resentedpumpkin]

Which is actually a reasonable adjustment?

Asd and adhd plus ME - I’m needing more and more breaks due to ASD and avoiding shutdown. It’s been agreed on my return after 2 weeks off (shutdown and selective mutism) . So now when it gets too much I’m able to log off (if WFH) or leave my desk for up to 30 mins as many times as needed per day.

it’s been once or twice a day but yesterday happened 4 times (10 mins, 30 mins, 25 mins and 5 mins)

Had some sarcastic and off remarks about it from others and now just feeling shit and embarrassed. Everyone is aware of my conditions so it’s not like they don’t know

I’ve been there 4 years, never had a problem before I’ve just managed symptoms and issues and carried on and it’s been hard. Had a problem and ended up needing 2 weeks off then this for 8 weeks then a review and everything was fine before and everyone was fine with me and now there’s a definite atmosphere 😞

I just feel so stressed on top of everything that now it’s causing resentment . Maybe id be better asking to just cut my hours so everyone knows where they stand

I understand why you need it. I really do. I teach SEND and make a number of adjustments for different children.
But, I can equally see how it comes across as a piss-take if you are effectively doing less work for the same pay.

Yes, I'd resent this - I am aware the law is on your side but I wouldn't expect much sympathy from colleagues. You are not "level with everyone" if they have to work 8 hours when you can get away with less than 7 by saying that the normal day's work is "getting too much". How can things "get too much" when you're WFH, anyway?

I have a reasonable adjustment which means I can work my hours flexibly to suit how I’m feeling. I have my own caseload so no one else is affected. However I am still expected to have the same size caseload as everyone else. If I could only do half the work because I was only working half the time then it wouldn’t be reasonable, and I’d expect my employer to say I wasn’t fulfilling my contract.

Is this reasonable adjustment actually helping you though, you have said your need for these breaks is getting more and more? An hour a day is quite a lot of time away from your role are you getting more stressed because you are falling behind. Maybe being signed off I’ll would be actually better for you at this time.

if possibly financially then in your shoes - yes i would reduce my hours to reflect my health condition

If they are noticing you are gone, does this mean they are having to wait for you to come back eg to finish a meeting?

If so I would find that difficult as a colleague but would accept you need the time. Might it be possible to schedule breaks into the day in advance to preempt you getting overwhelmed rather than stopping unpredictably...?

it would seem that this breaks aren’t helping if increasing OP?

What do you do and where do you go?

I think it also depends how permanent it is. A temporary reduction in your working day to support you through a difficult patch is probably perceived differently to you permanently being paid the same as them for shorter hours.

Sorry if I've missed it, but have you said how/if it affects the rest of the team's workload?

Must be a call centre or similar where staff have to be constantly at their desk? How do colleagues even know you're having an adjustment break?

Selective mutism so calls and meetings can be impossible

presumably there’s quite a build up to needing a break which means you’re not working then either?

I know you might not be able to ignore with having ASD . but these people need to be ignored and not have anymore of your time and energy, your medical conditions are definitely not privilege.

Wow there are some really quite mean responses here. No you are not unreasonable OP. It’s the law to make reasonable adjustments. If your ableist colleagues don’t like it then they clearly need more equalities training!

Would this be instead of your designated breaks?
Does your wage reflect the reduced hours?

I think it depends on what you do - where I work, most people wouldn't notice how many times you took a break when wfh or in the office, unless you had to cancel a meeting with them, but they'd be understanding - we're all too busy to worry about anyone else and most work doesn't rely on others as much as some jobs do.

Mind you, as a manager, I probably would keep track/ask you to let me know, but only so I know how you were coping and come up with ways to help prevent you needing so many breaks.

you have been there 4 years? no close enough colleague to find out more about what’s going on?

I am shocked by how little understanding and tolerance previous posters and colleagues have for your needs and disabilities.

I really want to say Fuck You to everyone here who has just replied as if you are being precious and privileged.

(Hopefully while I've been typing some wiser, kinder people have posted).

You are not being given privileges, you are being given reasonable adjustments that make it possible for you to work. Otherwise it would be impossible due to your long-term conditions and health needs, which are legally protected under disability rights laws.

These adjustments create a level playing field where otherwise there would be none in the world of work, because ASD, ADHD and ME don't give a toss about being equitable.

Thus, of course these are reasonable adjustments for you, in your circumstances. Your employer believes they are reasonable and you clearly need them, because it sounds like you have been struggling terribly without them.

You are totally entitled to make full and complete use of your adjustments and you should report your snide and unsupportive colleagues to your manager or HR, because they are being discriminatory and horrid.

I don’t want to say exactly what my job is just In case as I think I’m annoying everyone a lot as it is. I just feel upset as things were fine but I was having to put in 200% effort to be there on time every day and do everything (plus overtime !) and as soon as Ive crumbled for the first time in 4 years and need hopefully just a short term reasonable adjustment it’s caused resentment . I don’t know if it’s just easier to reduce hours I was going to see at the 8 week review and now I just don’t know

Yes I would resent this

I understand that your employer is trying to help you, but if you can't do meetings / calls sometimes at very short notice, this will have a knock on effect

I can understand your colleagues being resentful if you are not having to make up the time

It sounds like, whatever adjustments are made, this will not be a long term solution, and finding a job that doesn't include meetings, etc would be a better option for you

The OP isn't asking if she's being unreasonable.

She's asking if MNetters would resent a colleague in the same position.