I was diagnosed with depression 5 years ago and since then I have been trying to get a 4 day work week (4×10) so I had that extra day of rest (yes I know 4×8 is the goal but we have to start somewhere). My work is 8am-8pm but 95‰ of the work force starts at 8am so it can be hard to find someone to do the 12-8pm shift.
Multiple times a month I would bug my boss about the 4 day, especially if the 12-8 person called in sick/vacation/etc. A few months ago we got a new hire for the 12-8 who, surprise surprise, was having issues with work life balance because those hours suck but we talked and agreed that we could do a 4 day week (monday/Friday off) so we get a better balance and the company gets full coverage, a win win…of course the company said no because “optics”. During this time I also went to the union multiple times to ask for a medical accommodation which didn't work either.
So that was kinda the last straw with me. My depression was getting worse so I took my case to the workers with a petition. I had 80% of the company interested in trying a 4 day week. I took that to the union and they brought it to management who, of course, said “no”.
After that my managers did come to me and say we could support a 4 day week for myself but I would have to take vacation days. I did agree because I was nearing a breaking point but it was too little too late.
Well now cut to last week where I hit my breaking point and I had had to take a stress leave. Surprisingly that got approved in 2 days so they now are down a high level worker and they have to pay me to not be at work.
I am also telling my coworkers about this because “oops everyone is stressed and needs to leave, we'll I tried to find a win win for us and the company.