Cut down hours?

[ChocolatChip]

I have a temporary contract (for 3 months) with an agency to work 40 hours a week for a large water company.
Unfortunately I have been ill with severe depression and anxiety. And pyshically cannot go in, it makes my situation worse, and I am generally really struggling.
If I asked for my hours to be cut (I am paid per hour anyway) would they refuse?
If I continue being off ill, would they terminate my contract?
Thanks
(Have posted this in Law too.)

[helpmetoo]

you cant do any of your 40 hours now,

what do you want?
not to do any of say 20 hours?

why not ask for overtime and not do 50 hours?

i am sure that as you are not showing up they would be delighted to cut your hours to none per week.

[Lil O'lady]

That's a very special piece of drive-by nastiness from the first poster, how very unhelpful to someone asking advice.

Choc, part of your strategy must involve talking to the personnel section of the company that mannages your contract - i don't know how they relate to your water company but you need to find out who manages you directly, and arrange a discussion with them. keep notes of this discussion.
I hope you have been to your doctor - if not get there pronto and discuss what's up with you and how it is affecting you. Even if doc does nothing, it is a matter of record then that you haveseen your doctor because of how ill you feel.

In an aggressive organisation, I am afraid that they are likely to terminate your contract - this is one of the reasons why certain companies prefer agency-type workers to employing staff, as staff they employ get more job protection. However you can only know this by talking with them as there is always the possibilty that they are sympathetic.

Ideally you also need to talk to someone from your trade union, if you are in one - if you aren't next time you are in work join a union, as it's times like this that their support pays off.

It's a rotten situation to be in - it's not your fault you are depressed - but bear up and think long term. If this company is not prepared to support workers thru difficulties then you are possibly better off taking time to get well again, then finding another job elsewhere.

Good luck

[lilminxlou]

just to let you know, have depression as well, from what i was told they cannot sack you on them grounds as it would be discrimination. good luck and hope the 1st poster will realise what its like to cope with depression

[Twenty20]

I would guess it's not as easy as that lilminxlou. The water company isn't employing this person, the agency is. The water company can quite legally say they dont want this person and ask the agency to supply another.

I would talk to the water company and the agency and see what they can come up with. Unfortunately, if your contract is for only 3 months, then you probably wont havent built up a relationship with the water company, but its worth trying. The agency may be able to find someone else to cover the hours you cant do.

[buildersmate]

Posted earlier.
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Law/Question555 327.html

[ChocolatChip]

Thanks for all your replies.
Obviously helpmetoo has never suffered from such an illness, they are very lucky.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I will probably speak to my team leader and see what he says. It might even be worth having them terminate my contract, it would help my situation a great deal.