To go part time due to health issues?

[REDB99]

I have worked full time my whole adult life. I’m a single parent to one DD (10). I have suffered from intense and debilitating head pain for the past two months, no known cause as yet but I do have a cyst (neurosurgeon has said this will not be causing the pain). I have been off work but know I will need to get back soon.

My job is well paid but intense and I travel for it. I cannot see myself sustaining a full time work pattern with my current symptoms. If I was to go to 0.7 for example I would get a full week off every 3 weeks approximately. I think this would give me the recovery and catch up time I’m likely to need. The job means we have to work a full week, there is no option to work 3 days a week for example. Any fractional contracts work on a set number of weeks worked per year.

I can afford the salary drop but it would mean some adjustments. I’m not sure exactly what I’m struggling with in deciding, there is part of me that feels that I should work full time as I always have, I’m frustrated that my current health woes have changed this. I’m very much a ‘mind over matter’ type of person but am beginning to accept that I may no longer be able to manage as I have done in the past.

Would you go part time for health reasons? Am I unreasonable to consider this?

If I could afford it, I would go part time simply to have more time to do other things. I also worked full time my entire life apart from then I was doing my masters. At 40+ I am inclined to make choices which prioritise my quality of life. Especially with the retirement age rising, I do actually want to enjoy living even it means living a bit more modestly.

Thank you, I have considered the fact I’ll then actually have some time to enjoy the odd walk or swim and get a better work life balance as well. I think I find the responsibility of being the only one bringing in money a bit overwhelming but I know we can cut our cloth accordingly.

I would OP - your health is so important. Also doesn’t need to be a permanent decision. Just whilst you get to the bottom of it and feel better.

Could the cyst be stress related? I’m only asking as DH has a cyst behind his eye and doctor said that was most likely related to stress.

Either way, reducing stress and focusing on getting better can only be a good thing.

I don’t think stress is helping to be honest. And you’re right that it doesn’t have to mean for the rest of my working life.

I reduced my hours for health reasons best thing i ever did.