How to go about reducing hours at work

Primary progressive MS
1

Hi, I care for my husband who was diagnosed 4 years ago with PPMS who has all the familiar symptoms, balance issues, constant pins and needles, a numb left hand side, physical and mental fatigue and bladder urgency. Until now and through sheer determination, he has managed to hold down a very stressful, target driven job in a senior role, albeit it with a few reasonable adjustments.(e.g. working in an ice cold office, having time to attend physio appointments and working from home half a day per week). The side affects of this is that he’s been completely wasted at home - extremely tired both physically and mentally, needing assistance with all his personal care and only able to be a tiny bit of the person at home that he used to be pre MS. This in turn has had a significant impact on my general well being and I am currently being treated for depression.

He has now realised and accepted the impact his stressful job is having on him and how much it has reduced his overall quality of life. A week ago his GP signed him off work and his ms neurologist agrees that reduced hours would benefit his well being. This is a really scarey prospect for him - he knows he will not be able to do his current job on a part time basis and is stressed and anxious at even having to try if he is signed fit to work on reduced hours. Obviously he will need to engage in negotiations with his work to see if there is any possibility of an alternative role he could do part time but until any such agreement is reached, is it reasonable for him to continue to be signed off work altogether ?

I would be really interested to hear from anyone who has been in a similar position with advice on how to navigate through this new challenge.

Many thanks :slight_smile:

2

Kittie Kat,

I fully understand how your husband feels. I am also aware of the stresses and strains this puts on you as a partner who has had to take on a new and unexpected role of carer.

I retired from the police in December 2016, having reduced my hours from full-time to 20 hours a week. Finally the fatigue was too debilitating and I took early medical retirement at the age of 61.

I cannot tell from your post whether your husband works for a large or small organisation. Large ones, such as the Police in my case, had experience of this sort of process and mechanisms in place to facilitate it. Large companies often have their own Occupational Health departments. I have no experience of how smaller companies might operate.

I was able to talk to my line manager and Human Resources to set up an assessment by its Occupational Health department to put many ‘reasonable adjustments’ in place to enable me to work that extra year with fewer hours. My union was also very helpful and a rep attended all meetings with me.

My application for early medical retirement was straightforward enough. The Human Resources department employed an independent medical assessor who recommended the highest possible award. The figures for my lump sum and pension were calculated and a retirement date agreed.

I was not in a senior position when I retired from the Police, as I had previously left my ‘career’ job as a college lecturer when I had become disillusioned with our education system.

I see nothing wrong with your husband staying off work until he is ready to return, on his terms. As you know, GPs can write ‘fit notes’ which can include the conditions under which a return to work would be feasible, when the time is right.

All I can recommend is that your husband maintains a good dialogue with his employer, and always takes a witness to any meetings. His union rep would be best, or a trusted colleague. This process appears to have been started as you report that some adjustments are already in place.

This may not be of any great help to you or your husband. I wish you both the very best with the process, and I will gladly answer any questions you might have. Try to keep strong yourself. There’s quite a lot of advice on the MS website under the Support tab, which is very useful.

Alun

3

Thank you Alun for your lengthy reply - it’s been very helpful and insightful :slight_smile: My husband does work for a very large organisation but in the motor trade, which historically, doesn’t have the best procedures in place for dealing with situations like his !! In 20 years of senior management, responsible for hiring and firing, he hasn’t had to deal with anyone with a disability. There is however a Human Resources department at head office and I will suggest that he contacts them to update on his difficulties and investigate what, if any, benefits his pension could pay out if he ends up ultimately taking early retirement for ill health. (He is relatively young tho at 52!) His GP is very supportive and once we get confirmation from his neurologist that reduced hours is the best way forward he can have that as ammunition for his case ! In the meantime, I feel for his sanity (and mine) he should stay off work. It was so distressing to see him so stressed at the end of last year which completely exacerbated his fatigue and other symptoms.

Caro

4

Caro,

That sounds like a good plan. Staying off work whilst the process of reducing hours and/or changing responsibilities is also essential, from what you are saying. Stress is one of the worst triggers for exacerbating MS symptoms.

Have you applied for a PIP? It is not means tested but offers a small supplement to your overall income. Take a look at gov.uk and also the following advice website.

​http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk

Best of luck.

Alun

5

Hi Alun

He does receive the lower amount of PIP for both mobility and personal care - this has been really helpful as we were able to afford a wet room to be put in for him. I’ve already had to seriously reduce my working hours to be able to do keep on top of everything and alleviate any pressure from him at home but maybe if he reduces his hours I’ll have a chance to work a bit more to ease the financial pressure ! I will definitely be looking at other benefits available when we’re at the stage of needing them

Your supportive words are much appreciated - many thanks

Caro

6

Caro,

I hae posted a reply under the Everyday Living section. Sorry but I didn’t realise… I did say it was a difficult day!!

Anne