Is this workplace discrimination?

[Missmummy88]

I have depression which has been getting worse over the last 6 months. I have had frequent meetings with my gp (bi weekly) for 4 months- in my most recent meeting my go wrote a letter to my employer recommending reduced working hours from 4 days per week to 3, to enable me time to recover. I work in a middle level role, which to be fair has been affected by a period of absence for my depression. My hope is working less hours will prevent me from taking any time off (I mean 6 days over the last 3 months. - not huge chunks of time) naturally they will have to re resource the business and conversations have arisen about me becoming the office manager - a step down in role. Is this discrimination or not? Do I have a right to reduce my hours and keep my job the same?

Some roles cannot be done on reduced hours contracts but your manager needs to be transparent as to why. Also, why are reduced hours the only thing that the GP recommends? What about working from home for 2-3 days a week? At my workplace a lot of senior people find depression alleviates when they have 1 day at home to balance 1 day in the office.

Has the GP recommended anything else? Are there holistic programmes at work that you can join?

It seems to me that the case balances on what is "reasonable" - you need to have some discussions about that with your union, or ACAS.

Are you more concerned about the drop in status or salary?

And while it's not your concern, your employers will have to be mindful of the impact on your colleagues. Them picking up your work is detrimental to their health in the long term.

You need some expert advice about what is defined as "reasonable" in your situation.