Waking night shift as a reasonable adjustment

RC1
RC1 Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
edited May 2022 in Work
Hi,
I would like to do waking night shift as a reasonable adjustment, however, not sure if this would be considered as such by my employer.  When I get home from work or another social setting, I feel autistic burnout (mental and physical) and I need a short nap (for about an hour or 90 minutes) to rejuvenate my system. This could be caused by information processing or it is also as a result of sensory issues. I am aware that fatigue is also associated with my diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis, however, I do not feel fatigue if I have not been in a social setting or if I have not been to work (e.g. if I have stayed home all day), therefore, what I feel after work is more likely linked to autism than rheumatoid arthritis, therefore, it is autistic burnout. I fall asleep really quick when I am experiencing autistic burnout and I feel energised again to be able to function at my usual capacity when I awake after the short nap. Although I am able to do the AM or PM shift, the WN shift would be preferable to achieve a work-life balance that has a quality of life equivalent to those without the health and social difficulties that I experience daily.
What do you think, please?

Comments

  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,468 Championing
    edited May 2022
    Welcome to the community @rc1 :) It's great to have you with us!

    Thanks for posting about your situation. I'm sorry things are a little tough at work at the moment, but it seems as though you've done a good job of thinking about what would make things more manageable for you. 

    I'm not an expert on reasonable adjustments, but my understanding is that changes to working hours can be included.

    We have some information on our website about reasonable adjustments, which you might like to read. 

    ACAS' page on reasonable adjustments also says:
    A reasonable adjustment could involve making changes to:
    • the workplace
    • equipment or services provided (both current or new services), for example an appropriate keyboard for someone with arthritis
    • the ways things are done
    • make sure you can provide information in an accessible format
    Example of a change to the way things are done

    An employee with epilepsy can sometimes struggle with drowsiness and lack of energy in the mornings. So their employer agrees for the employee to start their working hours later when this happens.

    Is this something you've mentioned to your employer at all?
  • RC1
    RC1 Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
    Hi.

     Thank you for responding and for the info.  I have mentioned it to my employer and awaiting their feedback.  :)
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,468 Championing
    No problem @rc1 :) Speaking to your employer is often a good first step. Hopefully they'll be able to set up a meeting where you can discuss what changes might be possible, and how those could be introduced. 

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