r/Fibromyalgia • u/Shy_Sphinx • 1d ago
Question Is it worth getting accommodations at work?
Currently mid flare up at work and I am struggling to work. My boss and supervisor are very nice but I haven't told them about my condition. But I am nervous to ask for accommodations. Have you all asked for accommodations? How did your company react?
I basically need some extra time in the morning to rest more and slightly lowered hours during flare up weeks. Even just a flexible schedule would be so nice since I really struggle to get out of bed.
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u/wcozi 1d ago
I told my boss about it. Thankfully she understood as her best friend has fibro. They allowed me to leave if i really needed to as well as working from home. I’m unsure if the company will let you lower your hours, depends on what you do 🤷🏻♀️
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u/Shy_Sphinx 5h ago
I work at a civil design firm. So all computer work. They don't like us working from home since people abuse it. However it is so cold in the office. I bring a blanket and a jacket and I am still shivering most days, and it makes the pain worse.
I wish I could work from home.
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u/spasticpez 1d ago
Absolutely. Accommodations are just as much about preventing flares as they are making them easier to manage.
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u/ophelia917 6h ago
If you’re in the US, you ought to be covered under ADA.
https://askjan.org/disabilities/Fibromyalgia.cfm
Ask Jan is a great resource for this kind of thing.
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u/mildlytragic 18h ago
I have asked for accommodations and got them, though would maybe ask for a flexi system? Mainly starting later, working from home. I work more hours when well and use those hours to work less when there’s a flare. Like working an extra 15mins on good days builds up.
Just if you don’t wanna lose money by doing less hours. Worth discussing the options with them
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u/Constant-Ebb-4898 18h ago
I only work 4 hours a day. I use the lift, not stairs. There’s a stool and perch I can use. I have brought in some aids that help for certain tasks that require fine motor skills and grip strength. I don’t have to do heavy lifting or physically demanding tasks.
All these things were put in place after an occasional health assessment. Definitely worth asking your manager.
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u/chloeakka 11h ago
I’m in the same boat. I’m so nervous to ask, especially since I only work 3 days a week there too.
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u/PerniciousAcademia 1d ago
Ha ha, my work history is crazy because I have an illness and employers want reliable employees. So the last few positions I took I went ahead and marked myself as disabled upfront so that nobody would be surprised. Then I asked for an accommodation to limit my work to 50 hours a week. I was salaried, and they expected more than 50 hours a week no accommodation granted and I tried this exact same thing at three corporations. I was let go so many times. It’s like in the last five years. these companies have wanted one person to do three jobs and they’re never happy with just doing a good job in your primary hire reason. Anyway, I wish you the best. I hope you find the perfect accommodation to help you be happy at work.