I've been on my arse with no work-life balance now for 6 months and i can't see how i'm going to get it back. The Tendonitis in my knees won't get better because my job is too physical, in 6 months i've got nowhere with it dispite lots of physio and as much rest as i can give. I've had to completely abandon my recovery exercises and my short walks because the loading on top of what i get up to at work pushes me into deficit, if i just go to work i hover around neutral with bad episodes whenever it gets busy and we're knocking about like blue arsed flies.

I've asked work for help and requested a 6 month transfer off the shop floor to a desk somewhere, but i was advised that it would put me in a bad position and to think again. They were very suggestive and non-specific, but the gist was that it would put my job at risk as the company is old fashioned and would see me as a problem. My physio was willing to send a report to the company nurse, but again, it was suggested that this would put me in a bad position as the company might see itself as being at risk of legal action in view of medical testimony. Long story short- if i can't do my job i should consider another career. My supervisor was a bit more understanding and let me drop my hours down to 37 from 44, but it's like farting at a hurricane. I asked to book off every wednesday for 8wks out of my hols to break up the week, but management refused point blank.

If i approach the NHS they'll more than likely refuse treatment and tell me to rest it more, i'm resting at 100% capacity as it is at the moment, so long term sick would be the only option. I reckon i'd have to be off for a minimum of 8-10wks, as the company would not tolerate me coming back half healed and causing further problems. The issue with that is that being on long term sick on top of my requests for assistance would make me first in the queue for the door, and redundancies are getting more and more likely of late. It's a very uncertain time for us as the new board management are money men and the hours/cost overruns are out of control. They wouldn't give my skills a second look, only what risk i pose and how cheap it would be to send me down the road.

As far as i can see the only option i have for getting a life back is to look for another job within the same company, that way i keep my final salary pension. I'm about to take out a mortgage so any option that involves more requests at work is too risky. Does anyone have any suggestions?