Requesting flexible working

[EdSheeran]

I've been working full-time but my health has deteriorated. I declared my disability at the time of starting and have received support from Access to Work. My manager has always been supportive. However, I am struggling and would like to reduce to 4 days a week.

I've read that it can take up to 3 months to make a decision. Is there anything I can do to push this, as I am struggling? Also, how much do I need to write about considering how my request will affect the business? Do I make reference to the fact that I am far exceeding my targets and have been consistently?

I am really pushing myself and not wanting to burn out and end up off sick.

Do you have a good relationship with your manager? When I was in a similar position before stopping due to deteriorating health manager was really helpful. My situation was that I was going to eventually be forced to stop but my going part time it was much easier for that to happen than for me to be off sick.

I'm not sure where the three months comes from you mention? Mine didn't take three months (it was an nhs job). Does your company have an occupational health department you can be referred to or can you speak to your gp about it?

I'm not sure about the questions you mention.

ACAS helpful confirmed that they have up to 3 months to respond to a request, although my internal policy states that I should expect written confirmation within 28 days.

My manager is supportive and I am able to be honest with her but she's one of those people who is difficult to read. She actually happened to email me and ask for a one-to-one this week, so I shall speak to her then.

**helpline not helpful

I didn't find ACAS very helpful the time I contacted them either.

If your internal policy says 28 days then that's the time they should take, otherwise I'd wonder what's the point of the policy being different.

I'd definitely discuss it with her, taking the point of view that you are really struggling due to your disability and would rather continue in work four days than end up on long term sick leave and the business suffering and see what she says.

I hope your meeting goes well. Sorry I can't offer anything else by way of advice.

"taking the point of view that you are really struggling due to your disability and would rather continue in work four days than end up on long term sick leave and the business suffering and see what she says"

This is what my friend (who used to work in HR) suggested. I just want to tread carefully and not imply that I cannot do the job at all.

Thank you for your reply. I do actually find it hard talking about my health and the support I need in real life, so it was good to discuss on here. :)

As someone who has been in your position thats the line Id take as, and don't think I'm being offensive by saying this I am not, that's what it all comes down to for them : how does what this person is suggesting effect my business/department if you have already thought about that then it shows you are thinking of their point of view as well. You are also asking about the possibility of five days to become four, it's not like you are asking for it to go from five days to half a day each week.

My manager responded very well. His didnt and demanded all kinds of things were to be done to enable me to stay doing the hours I was before (I asked for much more of a reduction than you are) however, my manager was able to say "look this is what becca says and she really understands our point of view" helped him to sort it, I'm sure he worked hard on my behalf but he said me looking at it from their point of view really helped.

I hope you can get this sorted and continue in work as long as you are able to.

I'm glad it helped you to discuss it here!