Duty of care/ workload

[Rockingthestocking]

Since lockdown, my department has gone from 3 down to 2 people. We have tried to keep on top of the workload, but we are now 1 month behind. My line mgr and me worked out that all the work I need to do equates to a third more than my working hours. When my line mgr took this info to the CEO she was told it was tough, all staff are over worked. I am suffering with anxiety including alopecia, dermatitis and insomnia due to workload.
I pretty much lost it today, burst into tears, near panic attack, I am over whelmed and can not cope. The restructure we are going through does not allow for our third person back. So there is no light at the end of the tunnel.
I think I've done everything I can - line mgr knows workload is too much, knows I am mentally broken, has approached CEO and no resources are available.
I ought to contact Dr as I know I need help, but the thought of being signed off fills me with dread as there will just be more work to do on my return.
I don't want to leave, I have been there 5 years, and I need the job. What else can I do? HR also know but at the end of the day if the CEO says tough, no money, just get on with it, do I just have to do that? There is no magic wand after all. Or should I keep shouting 'help and hope the CEO eventually listens?
Thank you for any suggestions to help me get through this and back on track.

I feel your pain.
I came off a 'zoom' meeting last week and burst into tears.
I have no complete answer, but one thing I do, that helps, is continually put it back on my line manager......
"Which of these do you want me to prioritise?"
or, when they say they need X by end of the day
"So you don't want me to do anything towards Y today?"
or
"This is going to take 2 days. I can do that, as long as you understand that means I won't be able to begin Z, which used to be needed by the 23rd of the month"

etc etc

The temptation is to work extra hours and try to 'just finish this bit'. That might be sustainable for 'a Christmas rush' or to cover a colleague who is off for a week, but it isn't sustainable long term.

You have my sympathies as I know when you are in the middle of it, it isn't so easy to do as it is for someone outside to give advice

Thanks for replying. I do practice your techniques already, trouble is my line mgr is under as much pressure as me. I sat with line mgr and HR this morning and tried to work out a plan but it comes down to needing an extra person.
Ah, for that magic wand! Thanks again.

I'm going to ask a personal question. Believe me, I wish it wasn't relevant, but it is. Prior to lockdown, have you ever had any mental health issues at all? And how can you evidence that those issues are a result of workload?

Because the ability to directly link mental ill health to workload is a tough hurdle, especially since there is plenty of evidence that the lockdown /restrictions are seriously impacting on the mental health of the population (so you'd need to show that wasn't the cause). And also because if you have any previous mental health issues, attempting to blame your current ill health on work is likely to get your previous mental health problems dragged into the equation. Unfortunately the "duty of care" here is often tenuous and very few successful claims have ever been made as a result.

So honestly, if the previous suggestion doesn't work, I think looking for a new job may be your best plan. It doesn't sound as though it will change, and trying to force the issue may make things worse. Unfortunately a lot of people are in your position. It's no excuse, but lots of employers are cutting back on staff without cutting the workload at the moment, and people are having to accept it.

Do what you can. Don't work ridiculous amounts of overtime. Look for another job.

I can guarantee you will leave and in no time they will recruit a third person. Have seen it time and time again....

Been in a similar situation since January end of August I had a stroke at 48

I have been prescribed anti depressants and anxiety meds today. If I can get my mind levelled and ok, then perhaps I can face the workload and manage it better. Maybe it isn't work, maybe it's the rest of the shit show we're living in, and I am just blaming work as it's more challenging than ever. I'm not special, I'm in a similar position to many many people who are dealing with the same issues, but I'm not handling it as well as I used to be able to. It is, however, a fact that the workload of 2 people is now on my shoulders. I am angry that I give my all to work, but whilst they recognise the problem they won't do anything. I'm a fighter though, I won't give up. I have sought medical help and I want to do my best so I will conquer this and I will show them.
Well, that's how I feel today.

I hope you start to feel better OP. But please remember your health is the number one priority every time. If you can find a way to simply do the work you can physically do in your working hours and then switch off and forget about it then fine. But it doesn’t sound like that is possible. It is not your problem that they are understaffed and what is not done is tough luck, bosses problem not yours.
If I were you I would set a timescale on this, give yourself 3 months, if your anxiety and other health problems are no better start looking for something else. If you don’t look after your own well-being your employer certainly isn’t going to do it for you.

Op, I hope you start to feel a bit better soon.

One thing I have learned over the years is to prioritise myself. No one will do this for you and expectations from employers in terms of workloads seem to be off the scale these days. If you have tried to address this and your employer is not listening then you need to decide whether that works for you. There are other jobs out there. Don't make yourself ill trying to manage an untenable situation or you will end up crashing and burning.

If all your seniors including HR recognise the problem, I would see this as a positive and they're hardly going to take it out on you if you can't do everything.

Get your priorities agreed with your line manager and confirm in writing by email what you'll cover week by week. Don't try for perfection, go for survival.

And don't beat yourself up, it isn't your fault.

Take care of you, first and foremost !

@Rockingthestocking

Thanks for replying. I do practice your techniques already, trouble is my line mgr is under as much pressure as me. I sat with line mgr and HR this morning and tried to work out a plan but it comes down to needing an extra person. Ah, for that magic wand! Thanks again.

Not your problem. Your line manager is paid more as the more senior person and they need to sort this. Keep going with the prioritisation techniques.

You do not need to feel any obligation or guilt towards your manager or HR.

And please make a GP appointment sooner rather than later. I was in exactly your position earlier this year. You need support before any mental health damage is more long lasting. You may be able to access some talking therapy without needing to be signed off, is that's what's appropriate.

Ah sorry, your last post hadn't loaded. I'm pleased you've had medical advice but sorry you are in this situation.

If you have had mental health issues in the past and your work now, they could be culpable. They have a duty of care, but if you are disabled they HAVE more responsibilities towards you.

If the workload hasn't changed why have they reduced resources?

If resource is reduced workload has to reduce or has to run later. Simple maths.

Look after yourself but only suggestion is to be firm and in business language state what's possible. Eg we will continue to run late and this will increase.

Good luck OP, feel your pain. Currently signed off with stress when my team was cut 60% but workload increased.