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Over-working myself at work, I'm going to burn out but don't know how to speak up

3 replies

xrosesandroses · 12/07/2021 13:12

I work in a job that is very active. I am constantly on my feet and walking around and literally never sit down. The workload is crazy at the moment (outside of management's control, it's complicated) and we have a huge backlog of things that we physically do not have the time or capacity to do. Things have been ramping up recently and are set to get even worse over the next few months. A few months ago we had a steady workload but now it's literally insane.

I worked in a small team of 3-4 people and we made a record of how much we did in one day. Since then, I've been on my own or with one other person and I have reached that same record everyday. I'm exhausted and need to slow down. I'm doing the same amount as the other team of four does, on my own. I'm now worried that management is going to use the fact I reached that record on my own as justification of having less staff, but I can't do it.

Also, to speak plainly, I'm not getting paid enough for the amount of responsibility and work this role entails. I'm a junior member of staff and I think a lot of what I'm doing is beyond my job description. My previous department was a lot less responsibility with a lot more support in place and yet my contract has not changed to reflect this.

My manager is great and is trying his best but things are even worse for him in terms of workload.

OP posts:
DemonicEruption · 12/07/2021 13:29

Are you me? I was feeling this exact way at my work over the past year. At the start of 2020 my coworker went on maternity leave and a friend of mine was hired as maternity cover. When the first lockdown happened and we had to shut down they sacked my friend because everything was uncertain. However we were back after 5 weeks and orders soon got insane over the summer and I was all on my own. I asked for help but they didn't want to rehire the maternity cover so instead they gave me sporadic, inconsistent and unreliable help until my coworker returned in october. That wasn't the end of it because as she was a new mum, she could only return 2 days a week when previously she was full time. Since then its been building up and I was getting so stressed, unable to take time off due to how overloaded with orders we are. Yet I didnt want to speak up because i felt that I just mustn't be working hard enough. Eventually I had to just sit my boss down and say look I really need help in here, please can you hire someone to work with me. And he listened and I finally have someone starting this week. We're still ridiculously behind on orders but it should get better soon.

You have to speak up, for the sake of your mental health its not fair to be overworked for so long especially when as you say things are set to be even busier for you. I'm so glad I did.

xrosesandroses · 12/07/2021 20:43

@DemonicEruption

Are you me? I was feeling this exact way at my work over the past year. At the start of 2020 my coworker went on maternity leave and a friend of mine was hired as maternity cover. When the first lockdown happened and we had to shut down they sacked my friend because everything was uncertain. However we were back after 5 weeks and orders soon got insane over the summer and I was all on my own. I asked for help but they didn't want to rehire the maternity cover so instead they gave me sporadic, inconsistent and unreliable help until my coworker returned in october. That wasn't the end of it because as she was a new mum, she could only return 2 days a week when previously she was full time. Since then its been building up and I was getting so stressed, unable to take time off due to how overloaded with orders we are. Yet I didnt want to speak up because i felt that I just mustn't be working hard enough. Eventually I had to just sit my boss down and say look I really need help in here, please can you hire someone to work with me. And he listened and I finally have someone starting this week. We're still ridiculously behind on orders but it should get better soon.

You have to speak up, for the sake of your mental health its not fair to be overworked for so long especially when as you say things are set to be even busier for you. I'm so glad I did.

Oh I'm sorry that you have experienced similar! It's great that you spoke up and it helped.

I think I will speak to my manager. He already knows the situation but says his managers are not really listening to his/our concerns. He is considering quitting.

OP posts:
highlighterpink · 12/07/2021 21:16

You need to make it your employers problem, not your own. Currently you are doing the work so it isn't their problem, it is yours. Only are suffering, not them because the work is getting done. Time to protect yourself and instil some boundaries. You need to look after yourself because your employers won't. As soon as it becomes their problem they will find a solution (and one that doesn't involve you damaging your health and happiness).

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