Depression and tough workload

[Shanna8]

Hi all,

I'm looking for advice. I'm with the same company for 15 years and I am in my current role for 14 months. I have an amazing Manager and work with three other lovely girls in our department. I was diagnosed with depression a year ago. The stress of the my new role didn't help. I am on medication and attend weekly counselling sessions. All my energy goes into work and I usually spend the weekend in bed (recovering) as one of my main symptoms is fatigue. My Manager doesn't know. I haven't told anyone.

The HR Director is completing a "review of roles and responsibilities" within our department. We need additional support, however, the company say they don't have the budget to employ anyone else. Myself and my three colleagues work extremely hard to get through our workloads but the Exec team now want additional Admin support for their respective offices. The HR Director plans to meet with us individually next week.

My question is ... should I tell her I am suffering from depression? Explain I am working long hours to complete the workload and do not have to capacity to take on any more responsibility? At times, during very busy periods, I have worked weekends also. My Manager knows this (and is very appreciative). The HR Director is also aware but she still wants more!

I don't know what to do for the best. I am just coping as it is. I don't want to be pushed over the edge. Any advice would be very welcomed 🙂

I would tell them. I'm a PA and was in a similar situation. They quickly reconsidered my workload and were more considerate going forward. It did me no harm in terms of salary rises/bonus etc and it was a relief for them to know.

The problem with admin/PA work is that you tend to be viewed almost as furniture that can be loaned out at will without considering the impact on the person concerned.

Thanks for the reply. I agree with you. Admin staff are totally under valued. I was concerned admitting my depression would have a negative impact. I haven't taken a day off sick since my diagnosis (my GP wanted to give me time off but I said no). But I believe it would be better to be upfront and this is my opportunity ...

No please don’t op, you’ll end up burnt out and if you speak up now you’ll feel better. What you said here sounds fine. If you take on more and you’re already using your free time to recover than that means you’ll be in overdraft energy wise and you’ll end up ill. Take care of yourself.

This is one of many reasons why I gave up PA work. Workloads are just too high everywhere and no one ever seems to understand how thankless or hard work it is. This is from someone who considers themselves pretty resilient and had done the job for a long long time. I do a completely different job now. I have far more options in terms of opportunities and earning and my job is an absolute walk in the park in terms of workload in comparison.

I wouldn't mention the depression. Companies make all the right noises about looking after mental health but if it's a corporate focused on money making it will frame you as a weak link. It would be much better to approach it from an, "I'm already at capacity so not sure how I can take on any extra work. What do you suggest? I'm happy to make it work but something needs to give".

How do the others feel? Are they in the same camp? Can you unite and convey the same message? You will be stronger as a team.

I don't think it's any coincidence that your depression kicked in four months into this new job. You've worked for the company for a long time. What's different about this job compared to your old job? You can't continue on this trajectory or you are going to be signed off.

If they don't take your concerns seriously then please consider changing roles or making a sideways step. Too many companies these days take the piss out of their admin staff in terms of workload and pay. I think part of the problem is that the majority of people you work for have never done the job and assume it is a doddle/every task takes no longer than five minutes.