Really struggling in work and not sure what to do

[Pleasehelp12345]

I was an AO in a Civil Service department. I was good at the role, always met my targets, won performance awards etc. Not saying I never made any mistake ever but on the whole I was competent, appraisals always went well and never any cause for concern.

I wanted to earn more as I live alone and AO salary is only mid 20s, and I was offered an EO promotion in another department. It is absolute hell, I know I'm not the only one feeling this as my course mates told me she's cried a few times and someone else told me they're close to a mental breakdown.
An EO role should absolutely not be like this, its still fairly entry level!
Im unhappy with the manager too. Very micromanaged, I get calls from her several times a day about every little thing.
I don't feel the support is there, we're relying on e learning which is timed, even if you don't learn in that way.
I'm constantly being pulled up on why do I not know what XYZ is. I've explained to my manager that it's a lot to take in.

The very good news is I have got another job, its just a case of waiting on the DBS. I've had a couple of dbs before and normally they're fine. This one wants addresses from more than 5 years ago for some reason and has just been a complete faff! So that's stressing me out as it's just a waiting game.
I cry a lot, feel sick every evening and don't sleep properly.
Any advice? I've emailed HR and they've said to speak to my manager, but I don't feel I can.

I thought I was reasonably intelligent and competent but just totally struggling.
Also I've tried to do extra work out of working hours to catch up, but they monitor what time you're on so my manager asked why I was online one evening and that I shouldn't be..

I am generally competent in roles and always get good feedback, but I am just not cut out for this whatsoever. The interview task gave us an insight into what we'd be doing, and that seemed alright but I don't feel it was an accurate portrayal of the actual role.

I constantly feel like I'm being told off like a naughty child. We have to have regular exams, essays etc.
We were told the essay topics and I wasn't aware we had to include very specific things in it, the topics were quite vague.

Mine was missing some info and so I was pulled up on this. I told the manager that I felt there was a lack of support sometimes, not so much from her but how the course is run.

The manager called me up at home on teams and then asked why I had someone in the room with me. I did not have anyone there, I live alone with a cat.
She said she could hear someone muttering. I explained my cat was sitting near me and breathing, I do not have anyone else in the room.
Then she was saying oh its ok it's not confidential you can have someone there.
So why ask in the first place?

Is this being run in house or by an outside provider? It sounds crap TBH. You would think doing homework would be a good thing! I think you should use the points here to go back to HR and say that it isn’t just you and why can’t you do homework to really ground yourself in the new framework?

Hope your DBS comes quickly and when you leave, if they don’t do an exit interview have your own prepared with a copy for HR and manager.

Good luck in your new job.

It's some sort of in-house training, regular exams etc. But there's no qualifcation, its only to do this job.

Thanks, I really hope it arrives ASAP, I'm fed up with it all, normally dbs are very fast for me.

I just feel picked on, constantly harassed with multiple calls a day for everything.
I booked a half day for next week to get an appointment I can't do during work.
This is not a school, it's an environment where you're supposed to be able to take leave as long as it is available..
I was quizzed about wanting the time off, would I manage etc. It's just hassle for everything.

I think you have a manager problem too! Sounds ghastly.

TGI Friday tomorrow 😊

Comfort yourself with the thought that soon you’ll be off!

Thank you :)
Nobody else seems to have a complaint about her, or maybe they just haven't said it aloud, but I feel like it's just me.
I've never known an issue with a DBS like this. I've no convictions, lived abroad but it was around 8 years ago. Haven't changed my name etc.. it's just been a nightmare.

I think it’s the cuts in services so not so many employed to do it because they do seem to be taking longer. Hang in there, it’ll turn up soon.

I've had an email from her saying she's going to be giving me an extra assessment on the definition of various jargon and terms etc. Because I've shown a lack of knowledge... great

If I had decent savings to fall back on I'd have quit yesterday..sadly not..but just got to keep positive.

OP I know you are having to bear with it whilst the DB check goes through but honestly I'd be pushing back. Are you asking for clarification on her questions? As in "what makes you say that" etc?

Don't be a push over.

Maybe i should..I'm just too scared in case she tries to label me as something. Just had a missed call from a non dbs role so going to call back tomorrow, fingers crossed that could lead somewhere.
When people are like this at work I tend to freeze and panic sadly.

You’re waiting on your DBS check. Then you’ll be out. In the meantime try and let it wash over you. You know it’s not working, your manager is vile, but you need to choose your reaction to that. You’re not trapped there. They don’t matter

Im scared the DBS will take another few weeks and things will get worse before then.. i don't know how it's happened but they've conjured up one of my parents' old addresses from around 8 years ago and asked for dates ive lived there, saying there's an error on my DBS. Dbs is only supposed to be last 5 years as far as I know?

As I say I've done a few over the years and never had any sort of issue like this. But it's adding to the stress.

She shouldn’t be causing you work related stress. People learn at different rates. I wonder if she’s under pressure to have so many trained by such a certain date and not let people fall behind.

Probably is, we're all just part of the chain I guess, better get revising over the weekend for the various jargon I'm going to be tested on on Monday 🎊