Occupational health - reasonable adjustment ideas?

[BeanyBops]

Hi,

New to the MH threads on here but wondered if any of you have suggestions for reasonable adjustments I could request from occupational health?

Various MH issues reached the point of disability a few years ago and I declared it when I took this office based desk job. When I'm very well I'm fine and function like a 'normal' person, when I'm really not well I'm overwhelmed, panicky, can't think straight or handle the slightest pressure. At that point I've gone off work sick until I get better. So I don't know what adjustments to ask for that might help me when I'm in the grey areas between well and not well.

I'm currently signed off sick but doing a lot better and going back on a phased return (will ask for that) in 3 weeks. Chat with occupational health is this Friday morning.

Any ideas or examples of what you have requested are greatly appreciated!

Suppose I can't say 'work 2 days a week but keep paying me for 4 thanks' 😂

Some we have agreed are:

-splitting breaks to allow more frequent but shorter breaks
-reduction in hours (with associated reduction in pay)

• Some working from home, but tricky depending on the role

Mostly though it's more about the support. Counselling, mentoring, stress risk assessment and action plan.

The thing about reasonable adjustments are they are very individual.

You need to think about what would help you in those grey shoulder times and what you could do if you identify you're getting unwell that would stop you going off sick.

A universal one though in these situations is an adjustment to any absence triggers. That doesn't mean you don't have any triggers, but they may be higher than a non disabled employee.

I have more frequent - but shorter breaks - where I work, so no ‘extra’ break time, just split differently to colleagues. Mostly I have 3 X 10 mins, where I can have some quiet time to slow racing thoughts and re-focus on the tasks I need to complete in the next few hours.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and contributions. OH phone call was a disappointment in the end, felt very box ticky. But I have requested flexible working so I have time to go for a walk on my lunch break.