Work maybe too much

[HeathQuad]

I have been working full-time since about nine months after my injury (C4/5). Over the past year maybe a little longer I have an increasingly tired, depressionall issues, and various medical problems. I have been committed to counseling and am trying to go back to the Shepherd Center for some intensive rehab.

I have been off work for the past month and everything seems to be getting better. I'm not as tired, not necessarily depressed all the time, and very minimal to no medical issues. Even the constant pain in my shoulders has not been quite as bad. I'm just beginning to wonder with two younger children (8y.o. and 11y.o.) and all of their activities plus trying to work 40 to 45 hours every week is just too much wear and tear on my body physically and mentally.

Has anyone succeeded in getting their employers to cut back on their hours? I would like to work about two or three days a week. Also how do you pay for insurance if you are part-time? Right now I am the insurance provider for the family because it's so expensive through my wife's work. Really not sure about all the insurance options that would be available.

What do other members do that work on a part-time basis or may be do for extra money?

Heath

[fuentejps]

try adding an exercise routine in your schedule. really helps w/ energy. also add a mrp shake during your day.

[queen]

When I started my (pre-retirement) job at CVS, I advised my boss I wanted just the number of hours required per week to keep me full time. CVS may be unique though, but I only worked 32 hours each week for full coverage. And, I was able to sub once in awhile too.

Different companies may have different policies, wouldn't hurt to check it out thru your Human Resources folks. With your situation and tenure, they may just make an exception for you.

If this can be done, then you could use those surplus hours to incorporate some shoulder exercises which can and would give you more energy thru
the week so you can get the cannon set up and aimed at the front door for when I come to visit. Just a suggestion!!

Good Luck and stay in touch!
Queenie

[rfbdorf]

It's nearly 100% dependent on the employer. Although I'm AB - my wife is SCI - our head of HR came over to my desk some months ago and said "What are you doing here? You should be home" and told me I should be working from home part-time to care for my wife.
Is there any possibility of working from home in your case? Having kids at home may make that somewhat difficult.
- Richard

[rdf]

Heath, if you can get your employer to let you work 3 days a week, I believe under most employer insurance plans, you'd still be eligible.

When I got burned out from working hellacious hours and started suffering the things you mention, I worked out a plan to telecommute 2 days out of the 5. It worked well for awhile, but it all went to hell when I had to start working 6 and 7 days a week

So I'd look into what your employer has to offer concerning telecommuting, if your work is something you can do from home.
And you should be able to keep insurance with a three day week.

Best of luck, long hours and stress from work are so bad for a person's health that they deteriorate but sometimes don't even see it because of working so much. A hallofa conundrum.

[HeathQuad]

I talked with my employer and according to their policy 32 hours is considered full-time for benefits. They do not have ever have those type of positions. They have never in the history of the workplace hired any one just for the 32 hours. I could take it before the plant manager but he doesn't allow most people to change their hours.

I am still going to be off for another month on medical so I just may be looking elsewhere just to see what I can find. Not sure what else a quadriplegic can do in this small town but I can try to find out.

I just hate to go back being real physically and mentally rested to get completely wore out working that many hours again.

Thanks for the suggestions.
Heath

[rdf]

Good luck. Hope you're signed up for SSDI/Medicare. If not, you need to sign up and get the ball rolling as it takes awhile, usually at leat 6 months for SSDI, and maybe longer for Medicare. If you got SSDI, and you are eligible because you've paid SS taxes and are disabled, you maybe then could pay for insurance through your wife's work with the money from SSDI or SSI.

Also, you might look into Help Centers, or other types of "Call in" work where you can work from home, and usually not a whole week working is needed. But in those cases, I don't believe insurance is offered much. I wouldn't even know where to start looking for this type of job, but I've heard scuttlebut that it's easy work, and that companies are hiring a lot.

Health and rest is more important than anything else, if you can afford not to work, and don't get bored easily.

[queen]

If you haven't run this by the Plant Manager already (and your comments makes it sound like maybe, just maybe, he has accommodated others in the past)....won't hurt to just ask,,,it's worth a shot. He might say, No... then again, he just might consider it.

Just tell him your situation, and see if he will work with you.

I'm with "rdf", start now with the SSDI benefits and if you need insight into how to answer the questions, just give me a shout. There is a right way and a wrong way and I found out the HARD way....

Queen

[tasty]

See if there is an Independent Living Center in your area. They are funded through Vocational Rehabilitation and they should be able to give you a telephone no. and address. The informations specialist there, hopefully, will know all the services that are available to you and your family. Did you ever collect SSI or SSDI benefits? You may be able to stop working and resume those benefits immediately. However, this would not help your family members with health benefits. As was suggested, inquire about telecommuting to work. Even if you can work at home 2-3 days per week at home, this would go a long way to conserving your energy. Can your wife return to work? If so, would she get family health benefits? How long would she need to wait before receiving those benefits. There will probably be some options for you, but nothing will provide a perfect solution. The first priority should be your health, but only you can make that decision.