For the first time, I'm seeking a health accommodation from my employer, related to my fibromyalgia. This makes me feel... kind of defeated.
My condition hasn't gotten worse, but an important coping strategy was removed: I returned to working a five-day week, in the workplace. This is simply too much. I need a four-day week.
On my previous job, because I had significant responsibilities with my union, I had one extra day off from my paid employment each week. Rather than use that time for my union duties, I would work longer days, then use that extra day as rest time. I found that the big blocks of rest were more important than the longer days.
On my current job, at first I had one day each week when I was working, but all my library branches were closed. Working alone, I could manage the five days. Then came covid and working at home. Again, working alone, in quiet, at my own pace, I could manage.
Then my schedule was changed to align with when my branches were open -- no more closed day -- and I was no longer able to work at home, at all.
Working a five-day week in the workplace is simply too much. I end up calling in sick once a week, or using a vacation day. If there's a holiday that falls on a day of work, that's my four-day week. If the holiday falls on a day I don't work (as most do, since I'm off on Mondays), I take my day in lieu during that week. If I do work five days, I spend the entire weekend destroyed and recovering.
I tried everything to get a modified schedule -- everything but an accommodation -- but there was no give.
Finally, I felt I had no choice. Getting the medical documentation was easy. Now I'm in the process of working with the HR department, the Director, and my union, to get the accommodation.
I don't like discussing my health issues with HR or the Director. They are decent people -- caring and compassionate -- but I don't like disclosing my health issues to them. It makes me feel vulnerable and small. There's also a power imbalance: they are not disclosing their health issues to me.
I'm fortunate to be working in an environment where I'll get the accommodation without too much of a fight, and there's unlikely to be any negative reprisals. I remind myself that disability activists and labour activists fought for this right, and I would encourage anyone else to use it.
It's just hard to cut myself the same slack.
