I asked for fewer hours

@SomeCowgirl (32191)
United States
June 7, 2012 10:40am CST
I've been having a bit of emotional issues so I was going to quit. A superior asked if I might just want to change my availability. She didn't want to see me go and I really don't want to LEAVE the company. So I asked for fewer hours, twice a week that would be beneficial to them as well. This way I still have money coming in and they still have someone to cover a shift I usually cover anyway. I can change my hours back when or if I need to in the future. In the meantime I can relax, and if I need some extra money, I can come to the internet for that. Anyone else ever have to do this?
3 people like this
12 responses
• United States
7 Jun 12
When my Bi-Polar disorder started acting up, I had to take 3 months off of work to seek counseling and medication. Eventually I was able to come back and i felt a whole lot better about things.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
7 Jun 12
That is what is acting up for me right now. I've been wanting to quit, but yesterday I actually asked about putting in a two weeks notice. One of the ladies who is superior to me suggested fewer hours instead, and so I'll try that first. I don't take medication, I refuse.
• United States
7 Jun 12
You have to take care of yourself first, and mental health is a serious issue. There were times when I got so angry I thought I was going to hit my boss. I felt a lot of resentment and anger towards my job. The fewer hours might help, but I'd look for a different job all together if you think its the job thats getting on your nerves. I have quit my job and am now a stay at home dad. Its so much easier to control Bi-Polar without outside stress, but I'm lucky enough to have a fiance who allows me to do this.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
7 Jun 12
Please don't take this the wrong way but I caution you to be careful with that. I had stress from not having a job or finding one at one time, and being cooped up at home and it helped to lead to a divorce. Of course my ex is also bipolar, and we both just clashed instead of worked together. I may look for another job soon enough, but for now I'll take the fewer hours and mylotting. I don't have to have much money to survive, so I should be fine.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
8 Jun 12
That is wonderful that you are so wanted on your job, that your superior didn't want you to go and allowed you to cut back on your hours.. I can't say I had that experience because I still have not gotten a job, though I do clean a neighbor's home once a week and she is very flexible if I ca't make it on the day and time I usually go, so that is a plus..
• United States
8 Jun 12
Well truthfully, she probably can't get help at my price, at least not around in the same community.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
10 Jun 12
When it comes to cleaning I would not want to clean for any less then 10 USD per hour. If that meant I did the general cleaning and that only, then so be it.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
8 Jun 12
Yes this superior is also fairly new to my job anyway, she's worked for the same company but in another location. She is a sweetheart, a real sweetheart. I used to clean, but that lasted one day because of misunderstandings, and the boss offered me my job back but I didn't take it. I'm glad you've got a client who is willing to be flexible with you on that, in my experience they usually want it done on that specific day and that's it.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
12 Jun 12
Well, if I could afford it, and would not have to worry about Medical there have been many times with my job that I would Love to do that. There are times due to all the Health issues and struggles that this would be a lot easier, but for me since I am married, this is not feasible right now. I eventually still want to get my Own Business thing going more and work for myself eventually. (As long as I can find Medical somehow.)
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
20 Jun 12
Yes, I am in the US. I have decent Health insurance where I work right now, so even with all my Health problems I work Full time. I have looked into some things if I had my own Business, etc. but until my Health with the chronic wound improves a little more, I will stick to working where I am at.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
20 Jun 12
I can't really afford it but at the same time I don't have much I need to buy. I pay for my phone, and I buy groceries. That's still a lot out of my pocket. I need to save and get other things done I've been whining about on here as well, but right now what's more important is my emotional health. Health insurance is definitely not cheap, nor is it easy to find the right company to get it through, or the right doctor's to go to. It may be more of a hassle for you right now, but I think once you were to get a business set up you could feasibly look into other medical insurance alternatives. Are you in the US? I forget. I know if it's going from medicaid or medicare to another health insurance, it's a different world, a lot of paperwork, and more money out of pocket.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
9 Jun 12
I've never worked in a job that was that flexible... it was either full time or not - now I have a part time job, but its supposed to be 25 hours a week - they don't much care how I get them so long as my client is happy.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
10 Jun 12
I've only had a few jobs where I worked full time. Now I work more part time then anything. When I started this job, some hours were full time but NOW they are really strict on what they give a person to work if they are just part time.
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
20 Jun 12
I think it is great that you are able to compromise with the company for a while. It will help you gather yourself and decide what you might want to do. I have taken time off before but I haven't reduced my hours.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
20 Jun 12
I can't take time off really at my job, it wouldn't do me any good. I do need to earn what I can. I plan to be more active this summer, and just try to enjoy myself and nature. I've got a bicycle that I bought last summer, I may use it to just go around the neighborhood once a day. I've noticed I'm still a bit moody at work, but it seems to change ten fold when everyone leaves and I'm the only one left in the store.
• Philippines
8 Jun 12
There were lots and lots of times when I'm in emotional turbulence in my life. I wanted to quit. To quit this life, not only a job or something, including the people who look down or up upon me. However, the Lord doesn't allow me yet and I know that I have something to do before He calls me home and I'm buried in my grave. You are still blessed that you are valuable in your company, such that your superior is willing and ready to give you some space to change your availability. May you continue to do good and well in your job. Good day.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
8 Jun 12
Yes I know that I am very blessed to be working somewhere in which I can do this, as it allows me time to myself and to kind of "recup" my feelings and be able to do for myself. I plan to be active this summer, and maybe even go swimming thought the fee for the pool is very high. In any case, Thank you very much and Bless You.
• United States
7 Jun 12
That was super nice of your company to do that for you!! It shows that they really care about their employees. My place of work is the same way. They work around family issues, emergencies, appts etc... with no questions asked. As long as you work hard and be honest with them, they stand behind you all the way! That is the way a work place should be :)
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
7 Jun 12
It definitely is and I am glad that they are that way. Though I do have my grievances with them sometimes, I have to admit.
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
7 Jun 12
I have worked jobs where I should have done this. That is why the job I am going back to I am only going for part time. I will be able to pay off the bills and do some other stuff but I will also have time for myself. There are times where that is really necessary.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
7 Jun 12
Life has to be enjoyed as well, and not all the time work. There are some who can work work work and then still find time to enjoy themselves but that is not me. I am glad that you're going back but under part time so you still have time for yourself. I am part time now but need even fewer hours then I have now.
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
7 Jun 12
i did this several years ago. i was working every morning from 9 - 1 and i just couldn't do it due to health reasons, so went on a short sick leave and the founder of our organization didn't want me to come back but the director did. so i came back and now i only work 3 mornings per week.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
7 Jun 12
Those aren't bad hours in a way, but I'd rather work nights myself. I am not sure how the company would feel if I just left, I think some would miss me, others might not. I know a few customers would. My mood has been affected by my job so I need to let some time for myself. Glad you're back to work, sometimes it's nice to work lol. SOMETIMES.
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
7 Jun 12
No, I've never asked for less hours. If anything I need more! LOL Unfortunately my current job only needs someone there so many hours a day, so I can't ask for more there. Nope, the only way for me to get more is to get another job... Happy mylotting!
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
8 Jun 12
I am part time at my job and they've started to become more strict when it comes to the part timer's and their hours. It's also summer and where I work a lot of teenagers work as well so they aren't going to cry over me asking for fewer hours because the teenagers will pick up what I don't work, atleast until August. I don't think I've ever been in a job where I didn't get enough hours, except for this one, sometimes.
• United States
8 Jun 12
I do not blame you for asking for fewer hours at work because of your stress level. I know that you work hard and need the money, however your health is the most important. I know you can make extra money online if you work hard enough online. I am glad that your boss is happy to work with you. I hope you can find another job so you can quit this one.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
8 Jun 12
I have my love / hate relationship with this job. Right after I get done hating it I wonder why I did in the first place. However, I do need to take some time for myself. Plus, with it being summer I can spend some time with my niece and nephew as well, who will be over here more. I'll be on mylot a lot more to supplement my income though I should still net atleast $80.00 a week at my job.
• United States
7 Jun 12
That's good for you. That's good that your company let you do that. Sometimes, companies won't do that and just rather lay you off. I never did this with a job. Than again, I only held part time jobs because I'm still in school
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
7 Jun 12
I am only part time so I suppose I am not as valuable as an asset to them. They've been doing me wrong, and I think that is part of it. I do need to go back to school myself but the list of things I want to do is dizzying.