Work stress, management unresponsive

[labyrinthlaziness]

Hi, you can tell by the fact I'm posting at 4:45 that work is bad!

I have a stressful role, in a team with too much work. I've been increasingly making managers aware it is negatively affecting me, since last summer. Since then I've had two increases in work.

My issue is they won't discuss the issues, just want to refer me to OH.

I'm not sure how to approach this. They don't deny I am stressed, but the implication I am taking from the response is they are not going to do anything at all that would help. I don't want to take time off sick, if I can avoid it - I can't see how that benefits me or the organisation.

I am going to go to OH, but that will be slow I think.

I guess I'm asking would you escalate, take time off?

Sorry if I am not very clear. I'm used to managers discussing problems! The non-response is really concerning me.

Is it the type of workplace where you can under achieve and not be managed out? One, not the only, difference between people I have observed is those who make the workload issues known and then continually say "Yes I can do that but not until X date" or "If I do that as a priority X will have to wait until Y" etc rather than try to meet unattainable levels of performance and get stressed about it, and are quite comfortable repeatedly saying "I haven't had time to do X because you asked me to do Y". If you have put your concerns in writing and the issue is with the workload not you being really slow or incompetent, I would start being really clear about expectations and timescales.

I’ve been there op! I think they sound unreasonable- if you’ve been clear they are then choosing not to listen. I think it’s important to separate two things here: the workload, and your stress. Are you saying that with a reduced workload you would be less stressed? That is saying you are suffering poor management and rather than you ‘suffering from stress’ you are infact suffering from poor management & organisation. That is for your management to change, as you have rightly hoped!
If you are suffering with stress not really related to your workload then I would say OH is the way forward.. I get the impression from your post that you aren’t going through a period of stress in your life but are simply suffering due to some shit changes at work and being overloaded. I reckon you could give them a couple of months and if they don’t hear you, you might need to walk. OH can’t help your management if it’s you that’s attending! Your manager sounds crap tbh. If you were here saying you are suffering a bereavement or something and therefore stressed I would think yes see OH.. but if your only stress is they’ve increased. Your workload then YANBU! Good luck xox

Thanks @WTF475878237NC

I have a lot of external deadline work with financial penalties, I can't delay that.

I have other aspects of work that can wait - but eventually all my work has to be done as each project has to end. So delay doesn't help really.

I have asked to be shown how to work more efficiently! Nothing so far. No negative feedback on my work.

It takes a long time to manage someone out. Logically it would be more sensible to help me manage the work.

In that case you have no choice but to keep on explaining the delays I guess and ask for a review where they can detail how to improve your efficiency each time you give them your anticipated timescales.

It sounds really tricky.

Thanks @sjxoxo

I think it is work that is the cause of the stress. I have normal stresses in my life e.g. some days the kids get arsey, but my wider life is low stress compared with e.g. ten years ago (don't ask!)

I get the feeling until it's a problem for them (and you make it so) nothing will change.

@WTF475878237NC

I get the feeling until it's a problem for them (and you make it so) nothing will change.

Yes I think this is probably right.

Worse thing is I'm too bloody busy at work to apply for other jobs and then knackered at the weekend!

WTF475878237NC has nailed it. We have similar issues in our team and have been escalating for the past year. Workload has increased further and we've just been told a leader isn t going to be replaced.

I went through hell for months working ridiculous hours, never spending time with family and it got me nowhere so now I push it back. I regularly say no and tell people that certain things I used to do can't be done now; I don't check anything sent to me so if it's wrong it's down to them; I will explain that the reason for something being late/ignored is down to resources and that they should escalate. I'm not rude, just factual and honest. The company's failings aren't my burden to bear.

Unfortunately you have to start letting things fail, it's either that or your wellbeing.

Leaver, not leader!