Forced Reduced Hours

riamaria
riamaria Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
edited April 15 in Work

Hello everyone,

I have 3 longterm health conditions and I currently work 28.75hrs a week. However, in recent months my conditions have deteriorated and ive been struggling at work and at home for sometime.

I have raised my concerns with my employer and at that point they were supportive and arranged an appointment with Occupational health. And some reasonable adjustments have been reported.

Even with the adjustments im still struggling. I recently asked my employer about reducing my hours to 24hrs a week. I was told it wouldn't be a problem and they were happy to accommodate what I needed.

I had an update conversation with them last week. Where they have now suggested that they will give me 20hrs a week, thereby allowing them to use hours from my vontract now to hire another person or give the hours to a current employee. Which I understand from their stance but I haven't requested 20hrs and it does kinda feel like its a tit for tat response from them.

Im currently also claiming UC to top up my income. I have also messaged my uc case manager for advice about reducing contracted hours and where I stand from their point of view. I've not yet had a response from them.

I feel like im falling into a hole with no real understanding of where I stand on any of this.

Any advice or guidance would be appreciated.

Thank you

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Comments

  • Topcat71
    Topcat71 Online Community Member Posts: 133 Empowering

    I understand your situation I been through the same. I drop my hours from 22 to 12 hours a week and applied and got awarded the higher lcwra as you can earn up to 680 approximately before Lcwra taken away something like 50p in every pound earned. If you can get by on this I would suggest doing it as it helps with trying to still stay in work. Regarding the advice from UC they don't seem to give advice on the best options I found . I repeatedly ask how many hours before I lose entitlement but they never answered. I suppose they in work and think you trying to play the system but it's not that as in my case its about getting the best support to allow me to stay in work.

    I don't have the exact numbers but I work 12 hours and get maximum lcwra as I don't go over the 673 approx limit but if my wages do I get stop 50p in the pound.

    I hope this helps

  • riamaria
    riamaria Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    Thank You for your reply @Topcat71, much appreciated.

    Like most people, im far from trying to play the system but just asking for a little. Despite struggling financially for a few year's and physically for a couple of years. It was only last month that I applied for UC. Im trying to stay in work for as long as feasible possible.

    I might have to do some more research to get my answers, if its unlikely UC will give any information...it does seem a little crazy that they wont even engage in a conversation regarding this.

    I will see how it plays out at work regarding their standpoint.

  • Topcat71
    Topcat71 Online Community Member Posts: 133 Empowering

    What answers do you need I may be able to help

  • riamaria
    riamaria Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    If I reduced my contract to 24hrs, will I be penalised by UC, as technically it would be a voluntary action.

  • Topcat71
    Topcat71 Online Community Member Posts: 133 Empowering

    Sorry I read your post again. Yes I been there with my employer and they didn't want give me the exact hours I wanted. I would suggest you take the offer of 20 hours and maybe look for something else to make up the 4. They don't have to give you anything but like to be seen to be offering you what they think will work best for the company and they say you as well.

  • riamaria
    riamaria Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    Its still at the discussion stage regarding work. I will keep talking to them and see if there can more a mutual ground to work on. I would still need to also know if that means I will be penalised by UC for voluntarily reducing my hours.

    It feels like walking in eggshells around these people.

  • Topcat71
    Topcat71 Online Community Member Posts: 133 Empowering

    In my work I reduced to 12 hours and originally ask for 16 but they wouldn't accommodate that . Although after a month they try put me in for 24 hours or 16 when they have sickness or holiday. So I would go with the 20 hours because they don't have to do anything I was told by my union representative. You find in time it can change very quickly so reduce hours for health is better to start if with

  • riamaria
    riamaria Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    Thank you so much, I've really appreciated your advice and having this conversation

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