Applying for internal vacancy with a disclosed medical condition which- will it disadvantage me?

[mechanicalpencil]

I have a disclosed medical condition which means I suffer from chronic pain and fatigue amongst other symptoms.This can be managed through lifestyle, medication and strict daily routines. HR are aware.

Internal vacancy at work has come up but the working hours are 6 days a week. They have said they will consider less than 1.0 contract but would prefer someone who can do the full hours.

Is it worth applying for the role? I have been there for ages and know they are keen for me to apply as they have encouraged me to apply. They presumably don’t know about my health conditions as I am used to managing my illlness well and only work 4 days a week.

I would like to at least be in with a chance but unsure whether or not to ask for HR support in asking them to consider my medical condition. Or will this ultimately end up disadvantaging me?

Any advice welcome 🙏

6 days a week? What are the hours per day, and is this every week? That doesn’t seem right….

Yes, 6 days a week, 08:30-17:30.
Holiday allowance is generous to compensate.

So you currently work 32 hours per week and want to apply for a role doing 48 hours per week, even though your work is capped at 32 hours per week for health reasons?

Whether or not you disclose that in advance or later, unless you can work a 48-hour week without making yourself ill then you're already disadvantaged in a way that isn't anybody's fault. I'd be ruling myself out in those circumstances (and I say that as someone who is also part time to manage a health condition).

0.66 is a big drop if there's a genuine business need for a 48-hour week every week of the year. I'd be surprised if that was considered reasonable as adjustments go.

Although if the annual leave is very, very generous then do they really need a 6-day week - by the time annual leave is factored in, is that really what they get? Seems a bit ridiculous and unsustainable as a working pattern but I obviously don't know what the role is.

Does it come with enough pay that you could afford to do 3 days a week as a job share?

Six days a week is bonkers. Why would anyone accept that? I wouldn’t do it even without the added health complications!

There’s no way I could do 6 days a week but my hope is to do 4, 4.5 at a push as they said they will consider all applicants. Just wondering whether it is worth asking HR for support on this (who already know about my health issues) or to just go to the interview, state the hours I can do but not say anything about health issues.

Or I was thinking about suggesting the possibility of a shared role as @OddBoots suggested…but again not sure whether or not to bring up the health issues.

I just am concerned about being discounted for not being able to do the full hours.

Why not just apply.

You are concerned you'll be discounted.

Well you'll be more than discounted if you don't even apply