How to Go Part Time if health is a worry?

[OliverReed]

Apologies for my first post being so serious.

I've been on the railway with the same TOC for close to 15 years.

After a few things happening at work. I've suffered a fairly nasty bout of depression I have returned to work. But to be honest as much as there are times where I love the job. I think it's time to move to working part time. I've been looking at job share, but nothing s coming up at my depot.

Can I request this accommodation as part of my wish to stay healthy?

 

[bb21]

Have you spoken to Occupational Health yet? They are always good as a first port of call.

 

[AntoniC]

As BB21 says go and speak to your Occupational Health (or HR) and also make sure you speak to your Union (if your a member).

Most employers will listen to your request, because they would prefer to keep you in their employ, as after all they have have invested a lot of money in you.

 

[JohnFM]

Don't forget though; your role is safety critical.

Putting it bluntly; if you are unable to work then you are unable to work. Part time or full time it does not matter.

If the job is making you "unhealthy" as you stated you wish to remain "healthy" then you need to look at this another way -

If anything happens such as the Glasgow bin lorry driver last year and you kill people then what would you do? You will be wholly responsible. Can you accept that you would be responsible or will you be looking to blame the company for not giving you less hours as requested?

If the answer is the latter then you are definitely unfit for work and should move on.

 

[ainsworth74]

Starting with HR or Occupational Health and your Union is a good idea. You might also want to have a look at the information that Citizens Advice has online here.

 

[Gemz91]

I'd speak to your union rep. I could imagine you might be worried about the outcome if you go speak to HR/Occy health first (although I don't think there is a need to worry).

 

[TDK]

Apologies for my first post being so serious.

I've been on the railway with the same TOC for close to 15 years.

After a few things happening at work. I've suffered a fairly nasty bout of depression I have returned to work. But to be honest as much as there are times where I love the job. I think it's time to move to working part time. I've been looking at job share, but nothing s coming up at my depot.

Can I request this accommodation as part of my wish to stay healthy?

Very tricky situation pal, as quoted speak to your LDC rep as the first port of call because if you divulge that you think carrying out safety critical duties is hampering your health you risk at the best them offering you a non safety critical role.

 

[BTU]

I too want part time or job share but my TOC offers none of these things although in the past a few older drivers have managed to get a job share out of them. Have you got someone who would be willing to job share with you ? They would need to be in your link and you'd both have to sign the same routes failing that I'll come and work at your TOC and will be willing to job share any day ( if only it was that simple)

 

[Greenback]

It's feasible that reducing your working hours will enable you to make positive changes in your life that will improve your health. It's just as feasible that this would just be a sort of panacea which won't have very much effect on you, if nay at all.

Now, I'm no medical expert by any means, but have you discussed this with your GP or some other kind of professional? If so, and they have agreed that moving to part time could be beneficial, then what about doing so on a temporary basis to see what happens? I've had a couple of non railway colleagues do this down the years, and they found it very helpful. One returned to full time hours after several months, and the other didn't, but both remained in employment.

I do agree that you should speak to your union rep before your manager or occupational health. They will have information on the process you should follow.