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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:
Roundroundthegarden · 18/05/2024 20:04

The thing is you're expecting a lot from them after only 6 months and in your probation period. And presumably everyone else there had to manage under the same conditions/training and this wasn't set out just to target you. It seems like the completely wrong job for you. If it's causing you this much stress and anxiety in only 6 months can you not see that you aren't suited to the job. I don't think the company owes you anything actually.

Aquamarine1029 · 18/05/2024 20:03

I would be picking up part of their admin workload if my suggestion was picked up on.

You can't insist on changing someone else's role to suit you better.

I've also done extra emails and bill workings in the overtime I've never demanded a penny for!

Well that's just daft. Why are you working for free?

TeaandScandal · 18/05/2024 20:03

sajamor0811 · 18/05/2024 19:56

I've worked there round about six months. The sacrifices I'm referring to are my evenings and weekends. The team has benefitted in that I've been able to complete a workload/do extra and not had to pass things on to them. Also when I am picking up part of their workload short term to help them long term I don't see how I'm being selfish or unfair.

I'm a good person trying my very, VERY best here and I'm finding it extremely upsetting how many of you are making out differently. If I was that unreasonable and selfish I would have been told by now in my day to day life!

Edited

You sound like you’re really struggling, and I’m genuinely sorry about that.
You’ve got to lose the mindset that you working overtime and weekends in order to complete your job requirements is in any way beneficial to your team, though.
It’s unsustainable and shouldn’t be necessary at any point.
Certainly not at six whole months in.
It’s not going to get any easier for you, is it?

sajamor0811 · 18/05/2024 20:01

I would be picking up part of their admin workload if my suggestion was picked up on. I've also done extra emails and bill workings in the overtime I've never demanded a penny for!

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 18/05/2024 20:00

You shouldn't be working in the evenings and weekends. You don't get paid for that.

Medschoolmum · 18/05/2024 19:59

sajamor0811 · 18/05/2024 19:49

I'm not saying it is their fault - I'm trying to find short term middle ground which leads to a better long term outcome for everyone. If I fail my probation or have to quit they will be a person down and much worse off than if I'm still doing phone and admin work. The aim is not to duck out of phone work but hone my skills for it in a way which still helps people.

The thing is, OP, you can decide what you think is best for you.

What you can't decide is what is best for the company. You think that your employer will be much worse off if you fail probation and they are a person down. They may be thinking that they don't want to saddle themselves with a problematic employee who has somehow passed probation despite not being able to do the job.

Best case scenario for you at this point would probably be an extension of your probation period. The more likely option is that they will terminate before that. Unfortunately, it just doesn't seem like you're suited to this job. And yes, if you're neurodivergent and/or struggling with your mental health etc, they need to put in reasonable adjustments. The difficulty here is that the types of adjustment that you're proposing really don't sound very reasonable.

Testina · 18/05/2024 19:59

Also when I am picking up part of their workload short term to help them long term I don't see how I'm being selfish or unfair.

Maybe the rest of the team don’t want you taking the admin off them, because they want to keep the mix of tasks that they signed up to? The calls works sounds the most intense part, from what you’ve said. So if you do less of that - somebody must be doing more of it.

TeaandScandal · 18/05/2024 19:59

sajamor0811 · 18/05/2024 19:56

I've worked there round about six months. The sacrifices I'm referring to are my evenings and weekends. The team has benefitted in that I've been able to complete a workload/do extra and not had to pass things on to them. Also when I am picking up part of their workload short term to help them long term I don't see how I'm being selfish or unfair.

I'm a good person trying my very, VERY best here and I'm finding it extremely upsetting how many of you are making out differently. If I was that unreasonable and selfish I would have been told by now in my day to day life!

Edited

Hold on; you’re picking up part of your colleagues work load to help them out?
What??

Testina · 18/05/2024 19:56

Why are you repeatedly not answering how long you have been there?
edit: we’ve literally posted at the same time and you have now said

Have you actually not been given enough training on the products and procedures - or do you need a longer period than most, do you think, to understand them?

sajamor0811 · 18/05/2024 19:56

I've worked there round about six months. The sacrifices I'm referring to are my evenings and weekends. The team has benefitted in that I've been able to complete a workload/do extra and not had to pass things on to them. Also when I am picking up part of their workload short term to help them long term I don't see how I'm being selfish or unfair.

I'm a good person trying my very, VERY best here and I'm finding it extremely upsetting how many of you are making out differently. If I was that unreasonable and selfish I would have been told by now in my day to day life!

OP posts:
Dakotabluebell · 18/05/2024 19:55

Also reasonable adjustments aren't about what's "fair" to the rest of the team. It's about what can be done to enable disabled people to function and work to the best of their ability and even the playing field.

You sound like the adhd part of me. With reasonable adjustments in place, i outperform most of my colleagues. Without reasonable adjustments, i was really struggling.

LetsGoRoundTheRoundabout · 18/05/2024 19:54

They do not need to ask you about a doctors appointment, in fact they should not. It is your responsibility to tell them if there is a problem that affects your work.

In comparing yourself to someone who has been off sick and then had a return to work programme, I’m afraid you’re not making a like for like comparison. You’re on probation, that’s the time you have to prove you can do the job. Employees who have completed probation, and then at a later stage go off sick, it’s worth the company putting more effort in to their return to work. They’ve invested in them and they’re getting them back to their high standard. You haven’t proved you’re capable of that standard yet.

Im afraid I think that, while it doesn’t necessarily sound like the best managed place, I think your expectations are too high. Personally, I would do more than your manager has, but I do not work in a high pressure customer facing environment.

sajamor0811 · 18/05/2024 19:49

I'm not saying it is their fault - I'm trying to find short term middle ground which leads to a better long term outcome for everyone. If I fail my probation or have to quit they will be a person down and much worse off than if I'm still doing phone and admin work. The aim is not to duck out of phone work but hone my skills for it in a way which still helps people.

OP posts:
TeaandScandal · 18/05/2024 19:49

And how has the team benefited from these sacrifices?

Dakotabluebell · 18/05/2024 19:48

If you think you may be neuro divergent, then your workplace may have to put reasonable adjustments in place even if you aren't diagnosed.

Ask for a referral to occupational health and speak to your GP , to get on the waiting list.

Think about what reasonable adjustments might look like for you - for me (adhd/asd) if i was in a call centre it might be longer/more breaks, more time allowed for training, flexible working, and more time allowed in call wrap up off the top of my head.

TeaandScandal · 18/05/2024 19:48

What sacrifices?

Aquamarine1029 · 18/05/2024 19:44

It's not a pressure cooker, it's a job you're not able to manage successfully. That's not your employer's fault in this instance. You need to find a new job.

sajamor0811 · 18/05/2024 19:44

I'm still on probation - that ends on 10 June. I'm not scared of phones at all but just want to be making sure I give the best customer service on them. I've tried desperately hard both in and out of work to achieve that - I'd say I've made huge sacrifices for the team rather than taking from them!

OP posts:
3luckystars · 18/05/2024 19:44

Do they know you have been to the doctor with stress though?

you have mentioned others getting accommodations, yes that makes total sense if they have been there for years but if you are a new employee then that is different.

How long have you been there?

TeaandScandal · 18/05/2024 19:42

How long have you worked there, op?

SilverBranchGoldenPears · 18/05/2024 19:41

I’m sorry but they can’t accommodate you in a job which is not suitable. It would be like a PA getting accommodations and doing just admin in a lawyer‘s role. You need a new job.

sajamor0811 · 18/05/2024 19:41

I don't expect to be cosseted - I would have just thought that if someone has found it hard to cope you make sure they can before throwing them back into a pressure cooker. Also if an employee is going to the doctor about stress you do need to check what has been medically advised regarding the job. I would have said something if I'd been signed off but surely you don't have to be a vulnerable person's best buddy to be concerned for them? Decent human being covers it where I come from!

OP posts:
SleeplessInWherever · 18/05/2024 19:39

I manage a team in a sales/customer service environment and unfortunately there is a base level of pressure, which sometimes can be high, that I am not able to remove. It just is that pressured, and people can either manage that, or they can't. That kind of work isn't for everyone.

I'm always happy to help people manage their workload, plan their time etc, but what I can't (and won't) do is remove parts of the job to make that happen. I'll help someone manage their workload, but I'm not re-distributing it. Somethings just "are," as awful as that maybe is.

We call it "phone fear," and to be honest once people have it, they're usually not around long.

3luckystars · 18/05/2024 19:37

How long have you been there?

What is the job?

Do you think you will be able for it given time?

TeaandScandal · 18/05/2024 19:37

sajamor0811 · 18/05/2024 19:32

No, I don't - it never came out of my mouth I expected people to do all my phone work for me. I suggested doing less while I picked up their admin work for them. The revision time I now know wouldn't be so practical in work hours so I'm doing it in my own time. Both were also suggested to help my performance and therefore my team contribution. It was because of overwork for the team's benefit I felt I needed to see the doctor in the first place!

Are your colleagues doing the same work in less time?
The overwork was hardly for the team’s benefit, there’s little benefit to anyone in you not being able to do the work in the allotted hours, especially when everyone else can.
You still haven’t said how long you’ve worked there, are you still on probation?