Close to breaking point and have been for months...
Discussion
I'm close to breaking point in my job. It's got to the stage where I've not slept properly for months, work every hour god sends as I'm the only one who is doing what 2 people should be - and were before my number 2 was taken off me at the beginning of June.
My role is time critical - I can't "just leave it until the morning" as this will result in what needs to happen not happening. Sadly, the part of the company I work within is badly under-staffed and not just in my area; people just get moved around to try and fill a gap and then moved again when another gap needs filling. I've asked for, and received no support, instead I've had more and more pushed onto me - my conduct isn't the best all the time as I'm snappy - I consider myself to be very professional usually.
I've gone the HR route and it ended up with me and my boss giving them lip service in order to sort it ourselves - he still doesn't get it though and I've even referred to seeing my Doctor to him.
My GF is sick of it now as I'm keeping her up with my restlessness and snapping over the slightest of things. My weekends and evenings are taken up with thoughts of the job/worry too.
My biggest worry is if I had time off through stress and how it would be perceived with my next employer if I were not to go back to my current company if I had time off. I don't see it as being career suicide though in my industry (trucks and sheds basically or 'logistics' if you want to be posh).
Any advice gratefully received but please be gentle with me!
My role is time critical - I can't "just leave it until the morning" as this will result in what needs to happen not happening. Sadly, the part of the company I work within is badly under-staffed and not just in my area; people just get moved around to try and fill a gap and then moved again when another gap needs filling. I've asked for, and received no support, instead I've had more and more pushed onto me - my conduct isn't the best all the time as I'm snappy - I consider myself to be very professional usually.
I've gone the HR route and it ended up with me and my boss giving them lip service in order to sort it ourselves - he still doesn't get it though and I've even referred to seeing my Doctor to him.
My GF is sick of it now as I'm keeping her up with my restlessness and snapping over the slightest of things. My weekends and evenings are taken up with thoughts of the job/worry too.
My biggest worry is if I had time off through stress and how it would be perceived with my next employer if I were not to go back to my current company if I had time off. I don't see it as being career suicide though in my industry (trucks and sheds basically or 'logistics' if you want to be posh).
Any advice gratefully received but please be gentle with me!
You have gone to HR and told them. Nothing has been done. The next step is the Dr. Then either they change the work conditions upon your return, or you take action against them for harming your health.
If they sack you it's constructive dismissal.
Obviously with your time off granted by the Dr you job hunt so you simply do not have to go back.
That'd be my plan anyway. But I'm not an expert.
If they sack you it's constructive dismissal.
Obviously with your time off granted by the Dr you job hunt so you simply do not have to go back.
That'd be my plan anyway. But I'm not an expert.
Thanks for the advice so far. My biggest worry is explaining this situation to a potential new employer - why did I leave my last role after 9 months is a big question to answer.
The sick pay structure with my company is quite good - don't get me wrong though, it's not going to be a deciding factor.
I've been at this stage for a long time but all I've been doing is putting it off and pushing on as 'I think I should see if it gets better this week'. The thing is, it doesn't get better and I get worse. I've been scarily close to walking off the job twice now.
The sick pay structure with my company is quite good - don't get me wrong though, it's not going to be a deciding factor.
I've been at this stage for a long time but all I've been doing is putting it off and pushing on as 'I think I should see if it gets better this week'. The thing is, it doesn't get better and I get worse. I've been scarily close to walking off the job twice now.
Do they pay you overtime ?
What is in your contract ? Sounds to me like you are letting your boss get away with this as you are coping and therefore he doesn't need to act.
I agree with the above, book and take a two week holiday, when you return try arriving on time, and a couple of nights a week, leave on time.
If the work doesn't get done, and it causes issues in the firm, then you can point out that you have repeatedly asked for more resource.
You need to diplomatically stand your ground.
What is in your contract ? Sounds to me like you are letting your boss get away with this as you are coping and therefore he doesn't need to act.
I agree with the above, book and take a two week holiday, when you return try arriving on time, and a couple of nights a week, leave on time.
If the work doesn't get done, and it causes issues in the firm, then you can point out that you have repeatedly asked for more resource.
You need to diplomatically stand your ground.
I have in the past been in a not too different situation. Then something happened.
All i can do is describe what i want to say. But......
You need to take a step back. You need to rise beyond your job, realise it is just a job, and something that you choose to do. This sounds quite condesending buts its not meant to be. Evidently you have a job that requires a lot of commitment, somthing you have tendered; however it seems you have lost the balance that allows you to be calm.
The thing that "happened" for me was buying a £10 telescope from a charity shop. I spent one evening looking at the moon, i slept like a child that night. My work level went up with better results and within 2 months i had left for a better job.
I explained this to my mate once when he asked "what happened?" and he said oh, PMA......
Positive Mental Attitude.
Best of luck buddy, stay positive its better then the alternative and don't lose hope.
Gwiz
All i can do is describe what i want to say. But......
You need to take a step back. You need to rise beyond your job, realise it is just a job, and something that you choose to do. This sounds quite condesending buts its not meant to be. Evidently you have a job that requires a lot of commitment, somthing you have tendered; however it seems you have lost the balance that allows you to be calm.
The thing that "happened" for me was buying a £10 telescope from a charity shop. I spent one evening looking at the moon, i slept like a child that night. My work level went up with better results and within 2 months i had left for a better job.
I explained this to my mate once when he asked "what happened?" and he said oh, PMA......
Positive Mental Attitude.
Best of luck buddy, stay positive its better then the alternative and don't lose hope.
Gwiz
Fun Bus said:
My role is time critical - I can't "just leave it until the morning" as this will result in what needs to happen not happening.
Yes you can! And if it's making you ill you must.I've been in this position and it took some manoeuvring to get out of it but ultimately you have to demonstrate that the business requirements have to be met by adequate resourcing. This means that not everything will be done on some arbitrary timescale all at the same time by one person.
I still have to run around like a nutter doing several peoples jobs at once, I still do loads of unpaid hours but at least I've managed to get the business to accept that if they aren't going to bring help on board they're going to have to accept that some things aren't going to happen within their fantasy project timeline.
Sometimes you have to push back, Good luck.
Fun Bus said:
My biggest worry is explaining this situation to a potential new employer - why did I leave my last role after 9 months is a big question to answer.
I wouldnt worry. Explain without emotion/blame/being a pussy/whining that the role did not meet your expectations of what was initially offered, that career progression was limited, training insufficient and that you expect to apply your skills to exceed requirements and the role did not allow you to perform to the best of your abilities... or some such similar bulls
t.The issue is that you feel stressed and demotivated, and probably a whole heap of doubt of your own worth/abilities, and that that might shine through at your next interview. Once you resign your esteem, confidence,enthusiasm for work and excitement at new prospects will 'magically' return and this will shine through.
Its just a job. resign. have a holiday. treat the missus and have lots of new found love make up sex, get healthy and start afresh. Life will be a pure joy
I would aim as best you can to manage it internally. That mode of working is not sustainable. Simply say that you can not complete the work you have been given in the time you have, and ask (if you don't already know) how you should prioritise it. Difficult to be more specific without knowing what the job is etc, but in principle that is the only course of action if you want to stay in your job with more realistic working conditions.
Whether that means you miss some deadlines, put some projects on hold or even lose a few clients (which will definitely get their attention) frankly doesn't matter. You can only do the most you can and in all likelihood you're not paid enough to sacrifice your health, relationship or sanity for it, which would anyway work out worse for you and your employer than managing this now.
Whether that means you miss some deadlines, put some projects on hold or even lose a few clients (which will definitely get their attention) frankly doesn't matter. You can only do the most you can and in all likelihood you're not paid enough to sacrifice your health, relationship or sanity for it, which would anyway work out worse for you and your employer than managing this now.
Well this morning I'm sat here thinking: "It's not so bad after all, I want to leave but think I can tolerate it all until then". This attitude will stay until the day really kicks in though and then I'll be back to really needing out.
I mentioned earlier about explaining to a potential new employer why I left after 9 months. What I should have said is how do I explain why I resigned without another job to go to.
I mentioned earlier about explaining to a potential new employer why I left after 9 months. What I should have said is how do I explain why I resigned without another job to go to.
Fun Bus said:
Well this morning I'm sat here thinking: "It's not so bad after all, I want to leave but think I can tolerate it all until then". This attitude will stay until the day really kicks in though and then I'll be back to really needing out.
I mentioned earlier about explaining to a potential new employer why I left after 9 months. What I should have said is how do I explain why I resigned without another job to go to.
Don't even mention this empoyer in your CV. Put it down as nine months of self employment, or building a house or something?I mentioned earlier about explaining to a potential new employer why I left after 9 months. What I should have said is how do I explain why I resigned without another job to go to.
Hedders said:
Fun Bus said:
Well this morning I'm sat here thinking: "It's not so bad after all, I want to leave but think I can tolerate it all until then". This attitude will stay until the day really kicks in though and then I'll be back to really needing out.
I mentioned earlier about explaining to a potential new employer why I left after 9 months. What I should have said is how do I explain why I resigned without another job to go to.
Don't even mention this empoyer in your CV. Put it down as nine months of self employment, or building a house or something?I mentioned earlier about explaining to a potential new employer why I left after 9 months. What I should have said is how do I explain why I resigned without another job to go to.
" I was really exciting to be joining them, it was a great offer and a really attractive role, and initially I enjoyed the work, however the business made a decision to cut the department from two people to one, however the workload has steadily increased, and despite requests for additional resources, I am just firefighting all the time, working 14 hour days and I don't feel this is sustainable. I have made my position clear to the company but at this time they are prepared to do anything about it. Which is a shame because many of the added value projects I was hired to run and deliver simply cannot be looked at because of the day to day workload."
As an interviewer I would have no problem hearing that from a candidate ....
mattley said:
Fun Bus said:
My role is time critical - I can't "just leave it until the morning" as this will result in what needs to happen not happening.
Yes you can! And if it's making you ill you must.With crap management this is the only tool you have. If you continue to do the job of two people and everything gets done, they'll be more than happy that you're busting a gut to increase their profit.
Work to live though... disappear off at 5pm and if things don't happen they'll get the picture. If they have a problem with you going home after a full day's work then I'd think seriously about resigning.
I have 2 points
1. If you dont get these time critical tasks done, is someone going to die? No - then do what you can, what you cant do will have to wait.
2. By working so many hours you are keeping other people out of a job (dont take this the wrong way its not your fault its your companies) I work 9-5, I do the odd extra hour here or there, if im actually told I need to work late I mention overtime pay (I also have flexi-time written into my contract) and they swiftly decided it can wait. If its mentioned that im not getting everything done swiftly enough I just point at the empty desk next to me that should have someone in a role to aid me. They get the point.
In summary you and the company you work for have a certain mind set, you need to get out of this mind set, yes things need to get done but people and your health are more important than profit.
Work to live not live to work..
/me puts on his flamesuit..
1. If you dont get these time critical tasks done, is someone going to die? No - then do what you can, what you cant do will have to wait.
2. By working so many hours you are keeping other people out of a job (dont take this the wrong way its not your fault its your companies) I work 9-5, I do the odd extra hour here or there, if im actually told I need to work late I mention overtime pay (I also have flexi-time written into my contract) and they swiftly decided it can wait. If its mentioned that im not getting everything done swiftly enough I just point at the empty desk next to me that should have someone in a role to aid me. They get the point.
In summary you and the company you work for have a certain mind set, you need to get out of this mind set, yes things need to get done but people and your health are more important than profit.
Work to live not live to work..
/me puts on his flamesuit..
Well, looks like an afternoon on here as been sent home having raised my concerns to my General Manager (my immediate boss is on holiday). I'm meeting with him again at 8am to discuss further the circumstances which have led to this.
Something happened in my head this morning which made me realise I can't carry on as I have been doing. I do feel though that the company will now support me despite not having done so this far - that's just a feeling though.
Something happened in my head this morning which made me realise I can't carry on as I have been doing. I do feel though that the company will now support me despite not having done so this far - that's just a feeling though.
musclecarmad said:
Hedders said:
Fun Bus said:
Well this morning I'm sat here thinking: "It's not so bad after all, I want to leave but think I can tolerate it all until then". This attitude will stay until the day really kicks in though and then I'll be back to really needing out.
I mentioned earlier about explaining to a potential new employer why I left after 9 months. What I should have said is how do I explain why I resigned without another job to go to.
Don't even mention this empoyer in your CV. Put it down as nine months of self employment, or building a house or something?I mentioned earlier about explaining to a potential new employer why I left after 9 months. What I should have said is how do I explain why I resigned without another job to go to.
they may want evidence of self employment etc.
that's why really rob you need a new job to go to before you leave this one.
Fun Bus said:
Well, looks like an afternoon on here as been sent home having raised my concerns to my General Manager (my immediate boss is on holiday). I'm meeting with him again at 8am to discuss further the circumstances which have led to this.
Did they send you home in a good way? "You must be knackered, go get some rest"or "Go home while i take up your stress issues with management"?
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