What to do about work

[Goshitstricky]

Sorry, it's midnight and I'm stressing so much about my work situation.
In a nut shell.

I work in the care industry,
I worked in a private company and loved the customers, hated the management, there were no policies, no safeguarding etc so I got out. I was suffering with anxiety and my MH was in the toilet over work stress.

I joined another company that was half council half private, full policies, lots of protocol and training and safeguarding through the roof.
The job started lovely, a choice of shifts, hours, times, customers and location. Then a year in it's changed, my shits are changing by the hour. I'm driving long distance with no notice. Im beginning to feel that same anxiety about going to work every monument and it's effecting my MH, my sleep etc.

I've come to the conclusion the industry isn't right for me.

However. I feel bloody awful quitting another job (appreciate it's only 2) we could just about mange financially but it would be just about. I would obviously look for something else but I'm not qualified for anything else.

DH is supportive of me talking to the company, explaining my worries and then if they can't offer a solution (working with me, I don't expect the world on a plate!) then handing in my notice.

I have a lot of health issues that I could take the time to work on but I feel so useless at everything at the moment. I need a vent. Sorry.

My heart is racing uncomfortably so. This needs to come to a head very soon before I have a breakdown.

Is everyone you work alongside affected the same way with all these shift changes? Has something happened that is making the shifts very unpredictable (is it covid related, do you know if things are likely to improve)? Can you try talking to some of your colleagues about how they feel and what helps or hinders them? Perhaps a group of you could go to the management and talk to them together about the working conditions and ask for them to explain wtf is going on and the impact on you.

Changing working hours and lack of control in your working life are major causes of stress so what you are feeling is not surprising.

If you are good at care work, could you investigate taking up private work directly with clients who will pay for help at home rather than via a large company; or work in a hospice, or work with disabled or elderly people in a residential care home. I suspect if you could take away the uncertainty of the shift patterns and the long unexpected drives, then you may feel happier.

When I've had work stress it has really helped in the short term to talk about it, but I become awful to live with as i can't switch it off. Maybe if you are a bit like me and you can't solve it then you may be right, the only choice really is to find another job.

So sorry to read that you are struggling like this. I echo the PP that short term it can really help to have someone in a similar situation to whom you could talk.

Medium/longer term, you are in a very strong situation, as good care people are not easy to find. Agree with the suggestions above. How do you feel about live in roles, Greg can be very well rewarded and self employed. Agencies will offer you roles (subject to all the necessary courses etc being up to date). We used country cousins, a quick Google will find lots.

The main thing is to find a situation where you feel valued and well rewarded. Good luck.