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Original poster

Please, I need help, think I have to leave my job.

14 replies

Needhelp12345 · 17/04/2023 08:42

I work in an office where only myself and another colleague are qualified to do the post, you need to be licensed.

Other colleague has been long term sick for 10 months, his post has not been covered and I have had to absorb all the workload. I do not work full time.

I have had regular meetings with Manager and have explained at each point the working situation is not sustainable and I am really worried.

I myself then became I’ll and was signed off work for 10 weeks. I returned 4 weeks ago and I’ve had no return to work or any talk with Manager. I have today decided to approach him again as I am starting to feel I’ll again due to the stress and worry. I can’t keep working like this.

What do I do, I’m at the point of resignation as for 10 months there has been no change despite several requests for help.

My job has life changing consequences for people who come to me and I don’t feel I can offer the level of assistance required on my own.

Please help.

OP posts:
snowflakeinastorm · 17/04/2023 12:50

What happened to the work when you were off sick? Presumably it was just left. No matter how often you speak to your manager, ime it won’t change. I had a job as a PA in the NHS, which started off looking after 7 people, and then morphed into having 42 people when the team increased over a few months. I spoke to my line manager frequently about it and nothing happened. I left, as 7 people was ridiculous, but 42 was beyond a joke.

You will need to make sure you start putting yourself first, and only do your part-time workload, and be strict and just leave the rest to pile up. I did this, as it was making me feel so stressed, and eventually some of them realised they had to do things themselves. Start looking for another job, as managers do nothing when you are stuck in a job like this.

LuluTaylor · 17/04/2023 12:57

You will need to make sure you start putting yourself first, and only do your part-time workload, and be strict and just leave the rest to pile up

This. Do what you're paid for. Leave work on time. What happens as a result of the other person being off sick isn't your problem. Focus on relaxation in your spare time and look for another job. You only get one life, you need to live it for yourself. If you need to go off sick again then do so.

Quveas · 17/04/2023 13:44

To be honest, if you are really at a stage where you are willing to leave a job becaue of the workload and stress, then you have nothing to lose - put in a grievance to you managers manager and refuse to have your own manager deal with it. If they were going to do anything, they'd have done it by now.

Lay out your grievance dispassionately - don't get emotional. Logically lay out what the problem is, what you have done to try to resolve the problem, what impact it is having on you, and that you are now submitting a grievance based on the fact that your physical and mental health are being damaged (and use the word "damaged" - don't pussy foot around!) by the unacceptable working conditions; and that you are now at the stage of having had a significant period of time off sick, and are likely to have further sickness if this damaging situation contiues any longer. Obviously, if you are in a union, talk to them - but stick to this strategy and don't l;et anyone talk you down.

Don't just resign - fight (believe it or not, it's actually good for stress and fighting back helps you in real terms). If you must go off sick during this time then that is what you do. And alongside this you can look for another job - so that if you find the right job you can walk, but you also aren't throwing away your income and references.

If they have any sense, they'll sort this out - because you are also stacking up potential grounds for a claim of constructive unfair dismissal or occupational injury. Neither of which would be at all easy to win, but you have nothing to lose either.

Lizzt2007 · 17/04/2023 14:11

Quveas · 17/04/2023 13:44

To be honest, if you are really at a stage where you are willing to leave a job becaue of the workload and stress, then you have nothing to lose - put in a grievance to you managers manager and refuse to have your own manager deal with it. If they were going to do anything, they'd have done it by now.

Lay out your grievance dispassionately - don't get emotional. Logically lay out what the problem is, what you have done to try to resolve the problem, what impact it is having on you, and that you are now submitting a grievance based on the fact that your physical and mental health are being damaged (and use the word "damaged" - don't pussy foot around!) by the unacceptable working conditions; and that you are now at the stage of having had a significant period of time off sick, and are likely to have further sickness if this damaging situation contiues any longer. Obviously, if you are in a union, talk to them - but stick to this strategy and don't l;et anyone talk you down.

Don't just resign - fight (believe it or not, it's actually good for stress and fighting back helps you in real terms). If you must go off sick during this time then that is what you do. And alongside this you can look for another job - so that if you find the right job you can walk, but you also aren't throwing away your income and references.

If they have any sense, they'll sort this out - because you are also stacking up potential grounds for a claim of constructive unfair dismissal or occupational injury. Neither of which would be at all easy to win, but you have nothing to lose either.

Exactly this op. I'd also be asking for an occupational health assessment as the stress relating to the workload is affecting your mental health. Fight your corner, good luck x

Original poster
Needhelp12345 · 17/04/2023 14:18

So I had an “informal “ chat with Manager today.

He told me he didn’t agree with what I put on my self certification form, I explained this is how I felt but he said it needs to be what is on the sickline?

He also doesn’t agree I’m doing the role of 2 people as I’m his words “ is impossible” he says yes I’m the only one covering the role but not the role of 2 people? I think this is a contradiction surely, ok so I’m not working 70 hours a week but it’s still just me where as there was 2??

No one covered my work when I was off, or on holidays etc as no one is trained.

He said I have to prioritise and pause work, I explained by doing this it causes a snowball effect, I’m practically on a hamster wheel.

Im so upset, no further on and feel like I’ve been told off.

OP posts:
Quveas · 17/04/2023 16:10

So do as I said. He isn't going to do anything, so what have you got to lose?

And he deosn't get to agree or disagree with what you put on a self-certifcation. There's a hint in the word "SELF". It doesn't say "MANAGERS OPINION".

CurlyTop1980 · 17/04/2023 18:58

Your manager sounds awful. I think you need to get this all in writing what he said.

Foreversearch · 17/04/2023 23:30

@Needhelp12345 he has told you what to do, let the balls drop. Go back to what you should be doing if there were 2 of you. Anyone complains refer them to your manager. The only reason you are not getting help is because you are making it work, stop making it work and make it his problem.

Youngatheart00 · 17/04/2023 23:33

Is your manager picking up any of the slack for the absent member of his team?

Do YOUR job according to the reasonable expectations of your contract and role profile. It is not your job to cover someone else’s work too.

blondieminx · 17/04/2023 23:41

Please raise the grievance. @Quveas is right.

the lack of action from the manager is ridiculous. He thinks you will keep hamster wheeling… er nope.

is your licence at risk, if a ball was dropped?

either way, he’s shown through his lack of action he isn’t going to improve the situation. So, time to raise it higher up the organisation - and given the shocking picture so far, to make it formal.

gentle hugs to you, it sounds very stressful.

BringtheJury · 17/04/2023 23:46

My job has life changing consequences for people who come to me and I don’t feel I can offer the level of assistance required on my own

what happened to these people while you were off ?

BringtheJury · 17/04/2023 23:47

No job is worth your health, look after yourself, your boss sounds awful. X

Autumntimeagain · 18/04/2023 16:18

Do quiet quitting.

So you only do what you can comfortably manage within your working hours, and NOTHING else.

So more trying to keep the plates spinning.

And every single time someone 'raises an issue' or tries to insist you do more, you refer them to you manager.

Every single time your manager tries to 'discuss' any 'issues' with your work, simply say ''No problem, this is what I am working on at the moment, w,x,y and z, all of which have to be completed by x date. Which of these do you want me to stop working on in order to have time to do this ?'' (And NEVER, EVER agree to do whatever it is unless something of equal volume is removed from your workload, just repeat ''I afraid I don't have any free capacity to add to my workload'' ad nauseam !) And when things aren't done ? Tough !

Hand over the problem/stress/worry to your manager. Let THEM manage the 'issue' of 1 person trying to do 2 jobs. Let them try to make it work !

Autumntimeagain · 18/04/2023 16:19

Should say ''So NO more trying to keep the plates spinning'' 😖

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