Stressed about work!!!

[robbo87]

Ok so i have a very physically demanding job. (i am a porter who does office/commercial removals) this is the only job i've ever had and although im only on a 20 hour contract i usually work anywhere from 40 upto 80-90 hours on occasion... And to say it wears me down to the ground would be an understatement.

Before my diagnosis and illness i was promised a 40 hour contract but after becoming ill i was told i couldn't be given that... yet still expected to do the hours....
This is the only job i have ever had and i've worked there for 5 years now. Whilst it is a very physical demanding job, and wears me out... i have got some good friends at work and have a good laugh.. but i have recently been given the oppurtunity to get a new job in a call centre near home. ( i currently spend at least 2 1/2 hours each day commuting...)

The problem being it is only 15 hours a week which would mean a significant drop in wages. I live at home so money isnt as big a deal as it could be but i really dont know what to do for the best. Should i take the job and lose out financially but be physically much better off? and also end up spending a lot more time at home bored out my tree?

This may seem like a silly question but this seems like the perfect place to vent as i really dont know what to do for the best long term.

I've wanted to get into a new job for the last 2 years but i think im too scared to make that final push and go for it.

Anyway thanks for reading.

 

[bushydougie]

Hi Martin
I would say go for the new job. I was off work for 8 months and have only gone back to work in September. I'm a nursery teacher which is also quite demanding!! I decided, due to the illness and the fatigue I suffer from it, to only go back 4 days a week. This has been quite a drop in my income but I think it is more than worth it as my health is so much better and I know I only have to manage 2 days at a time and can then rest. I can't say I'm ever bored being at home but I do take the opportunity to get some rest in.
I hope that helps a bit. Let us know what you decide
Sam

 

[Entchen]

Heya, Martin!

You say you've been looking to change for a couple of years? Sounds like maybe it could be a good time for that change.

Here's an idea: If you take a 15 hour/week job, instead of being bored at home, look for something else to do with all that available time! Take some classes (anything that interests you), volunteer with an organization that means something to you or at a place where you can meet new people, find a new hobby (maybe something like woodworking that you can do on your own time), and/or join a place like the YMCA (not sure if this is in your neck of the woods) where you can take part in fitness classes, go swimming, etc. Revel in the free time!!!! If you use the hours to take a diploma-type program, you might even find that your free time will eventually prepare you for a new career path.

 

[robbo87]

Well Ive got an interview on tuesday morning luckily its the same day im having my mri scan so i dont have to worry about telling work i need more time off for an interview elsewhere! lol


yeah thanks sam, i guess if my health improves then that's the most important thing.

I have a gym membership which hardly ever gets used so i think if i get the chance i would enjoy going swimming and stuff more often because thats one thing i just dont have time to do at the moment.

anyway fingers crossed i get it! just hope they dont ask to much about my health in the interview, which is going to be difficult because im having a bit of a flare at the moment.

 

[robbo87]

Well the interview seemed to go very well, Just waiting to hear back from them. I didn't get asked any health questions which was a relief!!

 

[Lisa]

Good luck!

 

[Nica]

Good Luck! legally they can't ask health questions.
For what it is worth I think you are making a wise choice to get your body as healthy as you can and not beat it into the ground.

 

[Rebecca85]

In UK (at least council workers) they can ask about sickness, it doesn't necessarily exclude you from getting a job. If you have sickness levels above a certain number of days (excluding pregnancy and disability related sickness) they can put monitoring procedures in place. Upon offering you a job they can make you have a medical to ensure you can do the job, or to see if they need to make 'reasonable adjustments'. Like I had one because I have eczema, and they needed to check whether I would be able to use certain cleaning products or if I would need protective stuff (gloves, apron etc).

 

[MADiMarc]

Martin,
Hope you get the new job. I only work 3 days a week because I cannot afford to wear myself out. I find all kinds of things to do in the two extra days when I am feeling well. You will too!
Good luck,
Michele

 

[robbo87]

Thanks

I got the Job wooooooooo , im so happy, just hope i can make it though the training school and assesment! I've been looking for a new job for so long.

Gotta get my 4 weeks notice out the way first tho eughhhh

 

[robbo87]

Well i know this is a vent away, but thought it wouldn't do any harm to post something positive for once.... lol

Anyway the new job is going great and im so much happier its unreal! Only working a few days a week though so im soon gonna get bored and not gonna have near as much money, but atleast my health doesnt seem to be suffering anymore!

 

[bushydougie]

Always good to hear good news! And enjoy your time off and use it to rest and relax and restore yourself (at least that's what I do). Then I can really enjoy my time at work.
I hope your job continues to make you happy

 

[MADiMarc]

Woo and two hoos! Yeah, you think you will get bored but you will find stuff to do. Enjoy it and take care of yourself.
Michele

 

[Astra]

Way to go Martin!
Make the most of it, and just think about the Summer, all the things to do and look forward to!
That's if you can find things to do in Wigan! ha ha (Sorry, big Saints fan!)

 

[robbo87]

Way to go Martin!
Make the most of it, and just think about the Summer, all the things to do and look forward to!
That's if you can find things to do in Wigan! ha ha (Sorry, big Saints fan!)

Well i go watching Wigan a lot so thats something to look forward to (champions, cough champions. )

 

[freespirit]

I'm off work at the moment sick, i am worried about what will happen if i am not well enough to go back and have to go on to statutory sick pay? I dont know how i would survive? How are people able to afford to take lower paid jobs? Are crohns sufferers entitled to support? xx

 

[robbo87]

I'm off work at the moment sick, i am worried about what will happen if i am not well enough to go back and have to go on to statutory sick pay? I dont know how i would survive? How are people able to afford to take lower paid jobs? Are crohns sufferers entitled to support? xx

In my case im lucky in that I still live with my mum who puts a roof over my head, So i dont have to worry about that side of things too much. Although in the long term its not really a good scenario.

Im not entirely sure what sort of support crohn's sufferers here are actually entitled too. I think it all depends on the severeness of each individual case and i've read lots of storys about people struggling to apply for things they are entitled too. If you visit the NACC website i seem to remember there being a lot of great info on claiming disibility allowances and things on there.

Hope you are feeling better soon!

 

[freespirit]

Hey martin
I also live at home but my mom doesn't support me in any way, she needs the board I pay her. I buy all my own food and have my car and other bills to pay for. I'm hoping to get better soon and it not be a worry. Unfortunately my job is highly stressful hands on residential youth work which doesn't help. Oh well fingers crossed x

 

[robbo87]

Hey martin
I also live at home but my mom doesn't support me in any way, she needs the board I pay her. I buy all my own food and have my car and other bills to pay for. I'm hoping to get better soon and it not be a worry. Unfortunately my job is highly stressful hands on residential youth work which doesn't help. Oh well fingers crossed x

Ahh i see, Im sure if it got to the point where you couldn't return to work due to being ill then you would be eligible for something. I hope you get something sorted anyway! feel free to get in touch if you need a chat!
x

 

[freespirit]

Ahh i see, Im sure if it got to the point where you couldn't return to work due to being ill then you would be eligible for something. I hope you get something sorted anyway! feel free to get in touch if you need a chat!
x

Thank you likewise x

 

[braveheart]

Congrats!