What shall I do? Next step advice.

fin7880

My sister has Fibromyalgia. She is employed but over the last 3 years she has gradually had to reduce her working hours due to her illness. She now works 22 hours but is still really struggling and has had quite a lot of time off lately. She was called into a meeting at wrk regarding her absence and told that they do not want to lose her as an employee but that they cannot continue as is. They sent off for her doctors records and the doc said cutting down her hours is the only thing they can suggest.
Her employer said there are 2 options available for my sister.
Option 1 is to reduce her hours down to 15 but would have to be 2 full days per week (which she may find difficult).
Option 2 is to take a period of time (ie 6 months) off work (unpaid) and they will re employ her once she is fit.
Ideally option 2 is the best for her health but how would she stand re benefits if she took this option? Would it be classed as her walking out of her job and would this affect the benefits she could get? Her sick note currently is for a month but the doc just gives her sick notes month to month. We are really not sure what to do or what she can claim to get by.
Any advice would be appreciated.

alwaysonthego_2

If she has mobility and care needs arising from her condition she should claim DLA.

If she is sick after her SSP is exhausted she could claim ESA.

Does she have children?

Is she single?

fin7880

She is single and no children. Would it look bad if she takes the unpaid leave though? She has a letter from her employer stating that she has a job when she is fit again.

alwaysonthego_2

No it won't look bad if she takes leave from her job, but she should discuss this with her GP if she wants to go onto ESA.

alwaysonthego_2

This thread maybe of interest

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=23820515#post23820515