Can't cope at work with busy workload

[strugglingnowww]

I've been there for 4 months and it feels like it's all hit me this past week. We have particularly tight deadlines this quarter which means we're having to turn things around a lot more quickly.

I'm worried that I'm too slow, but I'm writing reports and checking data and that takes time, it's not the kind of thing you can rush. I can't cope with the stress of the deadlines. I work at night to keep my head above water and I'm still drowning.

Today I had three projects due by the end of the day. I had one ready to send at 9:00 exactly that I had stayed late on Friday finishing so it was ready to go, then I start the second one, then the first is back with some feedback, then I finish the second one, start taking in feedback on the first, then the second one is back, then I have meetings. Before I know it it's 4pm and I've not managed to even start on the third one.

I tell my managers and members of my team but when I'm the only one who can write the reports on my team there's not much they can do. They push deadlines back for me where possible but it doesn't really help. For example, one of today's deadlines got pushed to tomorrow but then I still have tomorrow's work to do with tomorrow's deadlines to fit in too.

I was working until just before 10pm and just saw my work has come back from the clients (they're in a different time zone) and the feedback is quite negative which I've never had before. Then this morning my manager gave me a lot of feedback for my work, usually it's just minor corrections but I could tell it wasn't up to my usual standard. It feels like everything is going wrong.

This sounds totally unsustainable. What happens if you're off sick or on leave? How much notice do you get for each of the projects?

Can anyone help with the prep or attend meetings on your behalf so you can focus on this?

I'd be very clear with your line manager how many hours you're working and the impact it's having on your well-being. Document that through an email or noted conversation. They are obliged to take your (legitimate) feelings of stress seriously and look to help.

@whirlycarly

This sounds totally unsustainable. What happens if you're off sick or on leave? How much notice do you get for each of the projects?

Can anyone help with the prep or attend meetings on your behalf so you can focus on this?

I'd be very clear with your line manager how many hours you're working and the impact it's having on your well-being. Document that through an email or noted conversation. They are obliged to take your (legitimate) feelings of stress seriously and look to help.

The thing is I feel really embarrassed to say that I've been working late because I think the problem is me and not my workload.

I'm scared that I'm too slow, and I'm scared that they'll tell me I'm not cut out for the fast-paced work environment.

I forgot to add that if I'm sick or on leave then the work either gets given to someone else from another team or it just pauses until I'm back.

I don't work in your field, but I am the only person on my 'team' able to do my role, which is deadline driven.
I have just burnt out after 8 years. There is no business continuity either, so when I was off, the company was stuck, even though I raised this for years.
I feel angry that because they would not employ somebody else and my workload grew and grew, that my health has been impacted.
This is not sustainable. No job is worth your health. My emoloyers did not listen.

Keep doing the best you can, what area is your field up ?

I've been there. Unless your employers start looking for someone to share the workload with, start looking for another job. It's not worth your mental health.

What's your background? Have you done this role before? Is the workload much higher than your previous jobs?

I've done my job for a long time in various companies so I know what is reasonable in terms of expectations. Many companies are off the scale in terms of workload these days. It's very hard but it seems to be the way of the world. Agree that you need to raise the workload issue and document every discussion.

In terms of the deadlines, you just need to prioritise.

Submit Project A
Work on Project B
Questions for Project A come back so answers those
Submit Project B
Questions for Project B come back
Questions for Project A come back
Answer questions for Project A then Project B
Work on Project C

Imagine you are spinning plates and you have to keep running back to the end to keep them all going.

workplaces seem to be a nightmare nowadays, just started a new job and it is beyond hectic...not sure how long I will stay ! suggest you look around OP but it is not easy getting a good workplace...