My "so-called serious illness"

[TheDairyQueen]

Work for company at 7am on Sundays, finish at 2pm. Letter came round want to change 3pm to 9pm. I work a different post through the week so would have less than 11 hours between jobs. I'm anorexic attending psychiatry, psychology and dietetics. Wrote back to say felt new proposal unfair. Some snotty wee cunt comes back asking about my "so called serious illness"! AIBU to say stick your condescending tone and stick your fucking job, I quit?

Do HR know what your illness is? What is this person's position in HR?

Did you refer to it (either specifically or not) in your letter explaining you were unable to change current working hours?

Do you have a contract for your current hours?

I'm a lawyer. I also think this is discrimination. Whether it's compensatory or not I have no idea as don't have full facts but I would def call them out on it. That is potentially grievance territory and the person that said / wrote it shouldn't be making decisions about you in my opinion. They def need training.

I'm not clear on whether the 'different post' you work is in the same company (although from context it sounds like it). If it is then is it legal to allow you such a short break?

And in any case, seek legal advice about the 'so-called' comment. Good luck.

YANBU at all, the tone of the enquiry was completely uncalled-for.

YANBU that person has a horrible attitude and it's unreasonable to expect you to radically change your working hours without considering that you might have other commitments.

Sorry you were spoken to like that.

Just to say sorry for dropping the c-bomb in my OP. I never once swore at my employer and was completely civil - I explained that I can't work later due to exhaustion and can't do a long early shift for the same reason. I asked if I could be referred to OH myself and was prepared to look at what adjustments could be made as part of the shift changes. Exhaustion is a fairly common thing with an ED - in my case as my body is starved of nutrients. The head of HR then came back with my "so called" illness.

I'm not after compensation - I don't particularly care whether I'm made redundant by them, I just needed an emotional handhold after getting that email last night.

They certainly do have a requirement to make a reasonable adjustment - I know my rights in that regard, I also just needed an emotional vent and outpouring of anger at her attitude.

Lastly, all employers have a duty to ensure compliance with Working Time Regs, whether one job or two, and they are well aware of my health and other employment. I'm not asking for the sun, moon and stars - just a willingness to be flexible when the changes are still largely formative.

Thanks to those offering kind words of support, it's appreciated. To those that think I'm somehow pushing my luck (or am shit out of it), thanks as well - I'm not offended.

your boss is a cunt because of what he said. I'm glad you're standing up for yourself.

Are you a union member? The fact it was the head of HR is really concerning as they should know better. Have a look to see what union you could apply to join if not already a member. Even if not interested in compensation, this should be bought to attention.

The fact it was the head of HR is really concerning as they should know better... Even if not interested in compensation, this should be bought to attention.

Totally agree. Although IME unions are useless.

In light of your second post especially, op, they are monumentally out of order: you could hardly have been more conciliatory, and they absolutely have a duty to consider reasonable adjustments. Your hr manager is a total fool - she should have seconded your idea of going to OH at the very least. Her intemperate language on top - personally, I would be seeking advice and raising a grievance at the least, though I appreciate that it might be one thing too many considering everything else you have going on. If you've got a union, I'd ring them first thing. Mine are shit, but that may be a regional thing - other unions in our region are definitely far more supportive for sure.

Sorry you're going through this