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Original poster

Struggling physically to keep up with work--how to bring it up with boss?

32 replies

Coffeetree · 22/04/2023 07:56

I'm in my probation period in my new job as a lecturer. I love the job, it's a brilliant environment, a good challenge, interesting. Touch wood, they seem really happy with how I'm doing.

The only issue is that it involves some long days travelling to different cities and then delivering classes all day long. There are only one or two "long" days each week and the rest of the days are normal, with a local commute.

The long days wear me out to the point that I'm about to collapse. And I've worked long hours before, I'm in good health, it's just something about getting up at 4, travelling, teaching and really being "on" all day, then travelling for another 2 hours, then up again next am. Last week I got a taxi from the rail station to my flat, even though it's a ten-min walk, because I thought I would pass out.

I was already thinking to mention this at my 3-month review but then I missed my review this week because I was in bed with a Covid-like flu. I haven't been this sick in a decade so clearly linked.

I'm just thinking, how do I bring this up with my lovely boss? I'm not even saying they're unreasonable, it's just not something I'm coping with physically.

OP posts:

rookiemere · 22/04/2023 08:01

Is there something you can change about it ?

For example could you travel the night before which they would pay for to avoid getting up so early?

I don't think it's just you or a weakness. From what you have described most people would struggle to function with those hours. Are other people doing the same schedule ?

I'd try to think of some solutions to bring up if possible.

Singleandproud · 22/04/2023 08:05

Are you getting enough rest hours etc that are required by law?

Original poster

Coffeetree · 22/04/2023 08:10

Yes I should have mentioned, I started booking myself a cheap hotel the night before the long days. Work wouldn't pay for it. It was still a long day, even with a 7am start, and it just meant that the travel time was tacked on to the end of the previous day. So it didn't help as much as I'd hoped.

It's something about the teaching and being "on", explaining things and giving examples and helping students through the problem questions and encouraging them. It's enjoyable in the moment but afterwards I'm so drained.

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Original poster

Coffeetree · 22/04/2023 08:13

Yes I get breaks in the day, they pay for my travel time (and my travel), if a week ever ends up being more than 35 h I get overtime, prep time is paid. They really are being as reasonable as they can be. I'm just not coping.

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missfliss · 22/04/2023 08:16

Could the local commute days after long days of travel be at home? You can start at the right time but have a bit longer in bed to recover after the long travel day ?

Original poster

Coffeetree · 22/04/2023 08:16

The remaining days are maybe teaching one or two workshops locally and then prep time, really quite chill, so you think that'd be plenty of recovery time.

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Original poster

Coffeetree · 22/04/2023 08:17

No unfortunately I can't work at home if I've got work at the local site. But it's like a 10 min commute so very chill.

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GospelAccordingToMum · 22/04/2023 08:18

Is it the right role for you?

I recently left a job in my 6 month probation period because - despite nice colleagues, interesting work etc - I found it utterly exhausting to the point I felt ill.

Very similar in terms of being ‘on’ all the time (training role) but I had to drive to different locations four days a week with early starts and often long drives and it just wasn’t sustainable. If I’d have been in my 20s with no other responsibilities I might have lasted longer, but I wasn’t prepared to make myself ill and spend any down time sleeping to recover, so handed in my notice.

Im now in a role with a civilised daily commute and one location and my life is SO much more manageable.

Original poster

Coffeetree · 22/04/2023 08:19

I think I will bring it up and suggest things like, maybe they could double up the groups so I'm teaching fewer hours that day, or I could trade with someone and only do the marathon days every other week.

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MintJulia · 22/04/2023 08:22

I think you'll get used to it.

I had a job involving a lot of overseas travel and I learned to go to sleep earlier, to eat while I was travelling so I could go straight to sleep when I got to my hotel or home. To have everything I needed immediately to hand.

Also the first few weeks are stressy and exhausting because it is all new and you're learning as you go.

In a month or two you'll be an old hand. You'll know the short cuts and have much of the material prepared. Life will be easier.

But a job with that level of travel isn't easy or good for your social life. It's usually better paid because it's a quite a commitment.

rookiemere · 22/04/2023 08:22

Is there anyone else doing similar?

It sounds like the hardest bit is being "on" for the students for so long with the travel at either side of it. It may be that you get used to that over time, and be worth speaking to someone who has done a similar pattern for a longer period.

It also seems a bit unfair that work will not pay for a hotel. Fair enough being expected to get up at that time for the odd day's meeting or similar, but to expect that start from someone two days a week on an ongoing basis is quite a big demand.

Original poster

Coffeetree · 22/04/2023 08:24

Thanks @GospelAccordingToMum I'm starting to think that and I need to just be frank with my boss about it. Maybe they could change my role to a contractor, or I could always go back to my old job (which was 100% online, 9-5).

I just like this job so much! (Apart from the debilitating exhaustion!)

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rookiemere · 22/04/2023 08:25

Go in positively with your suggestions @Coffeetree. It sounds like you've hit the ground running, so it's more a question of how can they adapt the role to make it sustainable.

GraysPapaya · 22/04/2023 08:26

How many hours are you doing a week if one is your days start at 4am?

Phoebo · 22/04/2023 08:26

I think you'll get used to it, 3 months is how long it takes to get up to speed with any job and you'll start to learn efficiencies and tips too. I'd give it a year and if you still feel the same reassess. It's not sure you feel exhausted, those days sound quite full on. If you enjoy it though it's worth trying to stick to it and see, and nothing wrong with mentioning to your boss as they might have some tips for you

moonspiral · 22/04/2023 08:30

Probation period is for you as much as them so yes I'd be frank about it. Maybe ask if at the next timetable change this is something that can be alterted. If the position has been hard to fill and they are pleased with you this may work.

Original poster

Coffeetree · 22/04/2023 08:33

Thank you for the thoughtful suggestions. I think I will bring it up with my boss during the three-month appraisal, trying to keep it positive like I'm learning to pace myself.

My last role was 100% remote so I've gone from never putting my shoes on to 2-hour train rides and live workshops with 20 students. So likely some adjustments happening lol

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CorsicaDreaming · 22/04/2023 08:36

@Coffeetree - could you afford to go down to 0.8FTE so have one day off a week? It makes a huge difference- and you gain 50% more weekend for a 20% reduction in pay... or less depending where you fall on the tax brackets. Well, that's how I look at it anyway!

I'm a lecturer too and agree it can be so tiring. All our sessions are now 2 hours long, lectures and workshops / seminars - and I'm just wiped out after a full day.

MamaNell · 22/04/2023 08:37

It does sound very tiring.
It's great that you are paid for the travel time as well as the lecturing. How many hours per week does it add up to in total?

If it does stay around 35 hours then it's does seem unusual that you would be tired to the point of collapse.
One or two very long days must be made up by some short days. If the hours are up significantly over your contract over then it's clearly the job!

How is your overall health?

CorsicaDreaming · 22/04/2023 08:39

And the day you lose is one of the crazy 4am commuting days.

I used to commute 2 hours each way for my previous lecturing job - and usually three times a week - and that was ridiculously tiring. I would stay overnight and that helped, and they put more into those two days, but it was all based at same campus, so not same as you. Unless you could put the two distance commute days together and stay over in the night between them?

Pepperama · 22/04/2023 08:42

If I was the boss I’d need to hear it straight. Yes say how much you enjoy it and want to make it work. But I’d like to hear what you find difficult, what fixes you tried, any suggestions. If you say you’re learning to pace yourself or it’s not that bad, how are they to know it’s a real problem. Is this a new job, or have others found the same thing manageable (or left because is not!?). Nit that everyone is different but if it’s new and you’re the guinea pig it’s a different situation tHn if they’ve lost the previous four job holders because it is terrible. Good luck!

Original poster

Coffeetree · 22/04/2023 08:43

Honestly my health is really good, touch wood. I'm an active person with a lot of energy. I've been taking extra vitamins. One or two long days in a week should not be an issue.

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notsayingmuch · 22/04/2023 08:47

It sounds exhausting and unsustainable long-term. What other options do you have? Could you find something similar but based in one particular campus?

rookiemere · 22/04/2023 08:47

Actually OP as you've said in a later post that you've gone from online ft to face to face, a lot of your tiredness could simply be down to adjusting to that on top of the commuting.

I know when I first started going back to the office on a regular basis, I found it exhausting. I really enjoyed being there, but wasn't use to all the face to face things any more, plus commuting. Now I love my office days - I drop DS off at his super early gym sessions and walk in along the canal to avoid the bus jam packed with school kids.

So there may be an element of getting used to face to face again.

Original poster

Coffeetree · 22/04/2023 09:32

Thanks, really appreciate the thoughtful suggestions.

OP posts:

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