Call centre work and mental health

[Boogbuster]

I'm really struggling at work right now (call centre customer advisor of 10 yrs) for a number of different reasons and don't know if it's me or the work place that's the issue

My life feels like it's falling apart right now, my 7 yr relationship with DP has ended, facing bankruptcy and I'm stuck in a dead end job that's literally driving me up the wall

I've changed quite a bit as a person and come to despise my employer (a multinational broadcasting company) not only because of their outdated management practices but also because of the hypocrisy I see around me.

A big factor is my political stance, ethics and world view are now directly in contrast with that of the company.

• I've come to identify with anarchist principles and resent the fact that there is no work place democracy in the company
• Have come to realise they're nothing but a propaganda machine there to mislead the masses and keep us distracted
• They're fukin hypocrites - have a huge campaign to "save the planet" but this is only for corporate brownie points there terribly wasteful when it comes to paper and electricity)
• The thing I'm struggling the most with is their expectations of advisors. Obviously they have targets in terms of call length, sales and efficiency but lately they're demanding more out of us on an emotional level and I've struggled to get on board with the new way they asses/score our calls. They now expect us to genuinely "connect" with customers and show genuine empathy in every situation

I'm polite and friendly most of the time (do get rather blunt with people who become abusive though and it's something I have to work on) but ultimately we're all humans with different characters so it's not gonna be possible to connect with every customer that calls up and it's hard to show empathy when a customer is being a self entitled prick

I've come to the realisation that I HAVE to get a different job as this place is worsening my depression and anxiety BUT

• my confidence is at an all time low
• don't really have any marketable skills
• really don't want to jump into another dead end job
• Not many jobs around that match current rate of pay (still on low income but it's marginally better)

Not sure what I'm asking here, manly need to vent but if anyone can make a suggestion I'm all ears 🙏

Yes it is a terrible job that will eat away with you it's worth your mental health if you get slightly less pay. I felt the same and constantly under pressure all day everyone thinks its an easy job and you sit like a robot I know it isn't and everything you say is picked apart and you're told you could of said this/that nothing is ever good enough even though the customer may be happy and has all the correct info. Don't worry it is not just you try to get something else even in an office you have a lot of the skills and it is not mentally draining

Call centres are a notoriously stressful work environment, I don't blame you for wanting to leave. And when you get to the point that you despise your employer, there is no going back.

I have been in your situation and it really was rock bottom in my life. Nothing has ever made me as unhappy as hating my job. Illness and bereavement were much easier to cope with.

Do you live in an area where jobs are limited? Would there be a chance of finding an entry level job somewhere in something like finance or HR where there might be a chance to move up? If that sort of thing appeals, if course. No point if that would make you miserable too...

I'd be worried other employers would
Have similar issues. If you do move then make sure you do loads of research.

I think the fact you know the job and that it pays a little better might encourage me to stay. Also, having beeen with the company for a while means you have better rights than if you move somewhere else and are a new employee.

Not sure you will have any luck finding any employer who would tie in with anarchist principles.