When we become sick it’s more than just our health that we feel concern for. If it gets really bad we have to stay home and rest, not allowing us to earn a living until we get better. Most of the time, companies do give their employees time off and with pay, but this is only for set holidays and not irregular time off work.
So in that sense you can rely on your employer to make sure they are somehow helping you through a tough time. They might wish to call you in to talk about your future with them since they can’t see you coming in to work at a high level anymore. These are just the worst case scenarios that may or may not happen as every boss is different.
However you should be thinking these things over when you do have an illness and know you can’t work regular shifts anymore. This causes for your life to become more financially unstable and the only way to get out of this pit is to plan far ahead. Look at the short-term also but focus on ways which you can maintain a good living standard for your family, and figure out what you will do afterwards.
Irregular patterns of work
If you have an illness that changes your body clock, this is something you should adjust for professionally. Maybe you can take up freelancing and thus work at hours that best suit you. All around the world there are people that work for themselves on a freelance basis. They take on work if and when it suits them and can work to their own schedule. This is great for when you know you need extra sleep in the morning to function properly, or need to get an early night of sleep to be well adjusted in the morning.
On the other hand, talk to your current employer and see where they are put you so you are working at the optimum level. This could be that instead of being in the office in your former highly-active role, you can take on something less taxing such as administrative work. Rather than be in the marketing department you could work in sales and formulate the company’s profits and sales numbers. This may also allow you to enter work in irregular patterns and perhaps work fewer days in the week. Talk to your boss and put forward the case that your skills can be used elsewhere.
Cut spending on luxuries
This may seem like a given, but for some people they need a little push. Since you are ill and perhaps need money for your healthcare bills, then you should cut out the luxuries in life. Focus on getting better and not living the life of someone who is without health concerns. This might mean you focus on the essentials only when it comes to grocery shopping. Cut out the snacks and junk food that you don’t need and only buy for pleasure.
You should reconsider any holiday plans you had and again, make sure you are able to get the best care possible. Financially speaking, you’re going to be a lot more use to your family in the future if you take a few hits now. It can be demoralizing for a family that had their hopes up for a great holiday to only have it cancelled. However, holidays are a luxury which should be dispensed with so you stay on top of your medical bills.
Leaving a package
For some the end is near and that is incredibly unfortunate for their families. Not being able to provide for them anymore means they will be in a precarious position. It might be a good idea then to read through this life insurance guide to see what package is best for you. It will leave behind a good-sized lump sum to whoever it in your will and the recipient of the plan. Life insurance plans often vary from company to company so you should read the small print, figure out what kind of financial incentive you have right now and how long you can make payments into the plan. Only after a certain threshold will some plans become active and valid so a good few years is usually the norm.
It’s never easy when you are no longer working normal hours. You’re losing money by the day but you can ask to be reassigned to another department to use your skills there instead. Many bosses will do this for workers they have employed for years as they see their worth in them.
Hi Holly, thanks so much for sharing this! My friend and I recently started a healthcare blog that focuses on simplifying the healthcare system in an effort to save people money and help better understand their choices. Having both dealt with stressful medical bills and situations we wanted a place to share what we have learned (in an easy to follow way) in an effort to help others. Check it out if you have a chance, so glad others like you are also spreading the word about the importance of healthcare and being prepared! Have a great weekend. thehealthcarehustlers.com