To just tell manager the truth?

[TedIreneAndOld]

I'm off with stress. I like the job and the team but the manager has asked me why I'm off. I don't want to land anyone in it but it's because the constant interruptions to my work every day. For example I'm in a clinic and I'm getting phone calls and messages asking for advice on patients. There is another member of staff who should be dealing with them queries on them days.
We also have an urgent mobile we all hold and when I goes we must answer. This is always at dinner time so I never get a full dinner. I'm not paid for my break. Staff talking over handover and leaving the room to then ask me later what decisions were made. Staff who work until 5 leaving at 2 leaving me to cover most of the afternoon. Phone calls that could be handled by that days co ordinator passed to me. Should I just tell my manager although it may make me look precious?

That sounds like a complete shitshow.

Why is it so poorly organised?

Because no one will go to the other senior staff member as she's foul so they come to me.

If you don’t tell them then nothing will change so when you go back it will keep happening!!

When I discuss this with the manager she's full of platitudes. The job is flexible but it's getting on my fucking tits the amount of piss takers. One woman sits there drinking coffee and talking shite all day and she's never tackled.

It will keep happening anyway!
My husband works in another industry and says I need to ask for a communication strategy to stop the pestering

What @Bertsmum22 said.

It sounds bloody awful but it won’t get any better without you doing something!

If you don’t tell your manager nothing can change and unfortunately once things start to get to you , everything snowballs and you become even more sensitive to the slightest issue and your MH will continue to suffer and you will spiral.

You say you like your job so if you want to stay you need to work with your manager to resolve the issues which are causing your stress.

It’s likely to be tricky conversation so best done face to face. Make sure you make notes to take in with you so you can use this to cover all the points you want to without forgetting something. Keep it factual. It’s not about getting anyone into trouble it’s about making sure everyone is doing the job they should be doing and the team supporting each other, not leaving one person to carry the load.

Hopefully your manager might actually recognise some of these behaviours in others and might be trying to tackle them ? If not this gives the opportunity for them to sort it.

Hope it works out for you.

I think my manager is a people pleaser so won't tackle the stronger characters. I am also a strong character so if it's broken me then it's bad. I just cannot get a thing done without needy people getting on my tits. I'll support anyone but it needs to be a planned conversation not people hovering round me when I'm on the phone.

For what you've described, there are clinical risks to your getting multiple disruptions while seeing patients and people walking in and out/actively ignoring handover. Why are you the person who always has the phone at lunchtime?
Is there a risk register for your work setting? I would encourage you to log these issues as well as discussion with your line manager.
Do you think they're dealing with issues while you're on leave or storing them up for your return?

If the job is for you don't let anyone spoil it!

Tell the juniors "Kath's in charge today, you need to go and ask her" on repeat.

If you're running a clinic then shoe people out of the door the moment they try to interrupt then do a supervision with them about patient privacy.

Be more assertive in handover, no one had ever dared to talk over one of mine!

But yes tell your manager, let her deal with the shit show and keep the job you enjoy.

I'm very assertive but people still have the brass neck to walk out. It's unbelievable. I want it sorting before I get back. I don't want to be their friends if they all see their arse. Who cares

They won't deal with them but I'm not going back until a communication strategy is put in place. Ie approach the co ordinator that day about any issues not the other senior staff. If you need to ask about a patient book an appointment with the person you wish to talk to at an agreed time. Do not contact people in clinics. If its urgent approach the co ordinator that day.

So you're not going back without a communication strategy put in place, how do you propose that will happen if you don't tell your manager what the issue is?

Well I will tell her so something can be put in place that I want reviewing regularly.

But there's some that would say that you're equally taking the piss by going off on the sick with "stress".

What would the repercussions be if you told these people "you would know if you didn't walk out" and it leave it at that?

Stressed because my workload is far too heavy due to these people. I don't take the piss and I'm never off sick.

No response from them just a shrug

OP you know what, I think I'd follow them out of handover and ask where they are going. I'd go and get your manager each and every time and say "something must be very wrong with Lucy, she's just walked out mid handover". If that didn't work I'd compelte a Datix each and every time. Honestly, don't let these piss takers win.

I was so stressed last week I just didn't want to talk to my manager. I feel better this week so need to formulate something.

You are entitled to an undisturbed break so your employer is breaking the law expecting you to take phone calls. Someone else needs to cover it..You need to tell the truth to yoir manager or things will not change

check your workplace stress policy, request a referral to OH and require them to undertake a stress risk assessment (HSE has a lot of good info on stress). The risk assessment should cover the communication strategy. The employer has a legal duty to look after your well-being.

join a union if you haven’t already, if you are, seek advise from them too.

I've been quite physically unwell with migraine/ virus and I'm worried I've over reacted.

I presume you are a nurse? This sort of behaviour is endemic with nurses/hca's who have been in their roles for years - especially in clinics! It won't change unless you kick up a fuss with management and stick up for yourself - you may as well look for another job if not.