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Original poster

To feel unsupported and misunderstood by work

238 replies

sajamor0811 · 18/05/2024 10:31

I've been struggling with my job for a while and a couple of weeks ago had a meltdown which resulted in me needing the rest of the day off. I had booked a doctor's appointment for stress the following week, during which three tricky anniversaries were coming up too.

I was back the next day and in the meantime had suggested doing admin only or having a week to revise procedures so I'd feel more confident. I was put on more admin and less phone work so can't say no accommodation at all was made.

I also wouldn't say the section leader I had a meeting with was totally unsupportive or not a nice person. But her emphasis of how the job was high pressure, was I suited to it and how more would get expected of me made me feel under more stress.

In fairness she did say she didn't want people working out of hours as I had been to stay on top of my workload and practise/revise procedures. Yet when I don't get time to do that in the working day what else can I do?

The following week I was then put back on the phones as much as before with no check of whether I felt ready for it or not. Nobody checked in on me to see how I was coping at any point or how the doctor's appointment went. I was on the whole enjoying the job and feeling more confident but isn't that by the by?

Then I had a review yesterday where it was said I'm still making too many mistakes. I again said it might be an idea for me to have time off the phones and revise. The attitude that got taken was it's a business where people have to be on the phones and I've been given help with procedures.

I don't dispute the latter but can't help thinking if I had time to concentrate on revising them without other pressures or distractions they'd go in better. Then when I said I'd spend the weekend genning up I was told to do that if it helped. Yet it's flying in the face of the "don't work in your free time" I was given. I just feel so confused.

I am filling in a form for an autism test as I wonder whether struggling to retain information is part of that. But I'm reluctant to say anything in case it looks like card playing for more probation time.

OP posts:
SBHon · 18/05/2024 11:14

Is it more a case of gaining confidence and familiarity or do you feel completely out of your depth?

SherlockHomies · 18/05/2024 11:13

To be honest I don’t see what more they can do to accommodate you OP.

StormingNorman · 18/05/2024 11:08

It doesn’t sound like the right job or the right environment for you. You might be better looking for something new.

trampoline123 · 18/05/2024 11:07

It sounds like it isn't the right job for you. There's only so many adjustments a workplace can make.

Find a new job better suited to you and be happy.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 18/05/2024 11:06

It’s a difficult one to advise on because we don’t know the job inside out, or what’s been happening, or even really the law. So I’d take any MN advice with a pinch of salt and speak to someone who does have expertise.

All that said, it sounds to me as though what you want may be incompatible with doing your job. If you’re sick, you’re sick and can be signed off, although again I am unsure about booking a pre emotive drs appointment because you might feel stressed with anniversaries coming up (I’m sorry if these are something really awful but annual leave is for pre booking time off, not sick leave).

Could you not have revised a bit in the time you were signed off? Revising doing one’s job isn’t really “working”, and some prep for doing your job can be expected outside of work time I think.

I also agree with those saying “who else is going to do your job if you don’t do it”? Presumably you not answering phones, if that’s your job, would mean more pressure on others.

MysteriousKor · 18/05/2024 11:06

Are you new to the job? It sounds as if you’re a poor fit for the remit if it’s high-pressure, and honestly, I think you’re expecting a lot from your managers if you fundamentally can’t do the bulk of your job. Who else is going to pick up the slack?

Mummy2024 · 18/05/2024 11:05

sajamor0811 · 18/05/2024 10:52

Working on the phones is the bulk of the job, which I accept. I just think taking a step back to do some retraining for a few days would help me do it better long term. When I got put mostly back on the phones I was resentful not because it was outside the remit but because they didn't check I was up to it. More time on the emails is still helping customers and less pressurised practice of procedures.

Print out the procedures and have them in front of you when on the phone. Your failing as your under pressure the same happens to me. Highlight small parts that will remind you of the next step. If this doesn't work just look for a new job

SBHon · 18/05/2024 11:04

The following week I was then put back on the phones as much as before with no check of whether I felt ready for it or not. Nobody checked in on me to see how I was coping at any point or how the doctor's appointment went.
Kindly, they don’t need to do this, they’re not your mum or your bff.

Unless I’ve misunderstood you had the previous week, as you requested, to do admin only or having a week to revise procedures so I'd feel more confident. I was put on more admin and less phone work. Then that week was over so it’s back to work as usual like you’d all planned.

InYourBedNow · 18/05/2024 11:02

Sounds like this isn't the job for you OP.

How long have you been there?

TeaandScandal · 18/05/2024 10:59

Who would pick up the slack for you if you handed over the bulk of your job?
It really doesn’t sound remotely feasible.

PonyPatter44 · 18/05/2024 10:59

If you are someone who does struggle under pressure and finds the 'thinking on your feet' element of the job difficult, is it worth looking for a different kind of job, perhaps more of an admin role if that's your strength?

I have a few admins in my workplace who do not enjoy any sort of face to face interaction, but who are amazing at their complex procedure-driven roles and really thrive in them. They are playing to their strengths. Maybe a role like that would suit you better.

Original poster
sajamor0811 · 18/05/2024 10:52

Working on the phones is the bulk of the job, which I accept. I just think taking a step back to do some retraining for a few days would help me do it better long term. When I got put mostly back on the phones I was resentful not because it was outside the remit but because they didn't check I was up to it. More time on the emails is still helping customers and less pressurised practice of procedures.

OP posts:
TeaandScandal · 18/05/2024 10:34

Is working on the phones part of your remit?

What accommodations do you think they can actually make, especially since you seem to want to be relieved of part of your duties to “revise” other parts of your job?

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