No work - impacting mental health

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Until recently my job was relatively pleasant and I enjoyed the work - I was a personal assistant booking appointments within a specialism and while I'm definitely not in the work 'click' - it was ok. However, the company have altered things drastically and I am now often left with little to no work - sometimes for hours at a time - and when a customer does want help, my colleague often jumps in. Previously I was located at a computer so spent my time reading or doing my own thing inbetween customers, and now I'm now expected to be in one particular spot for the majority of my day.

It makes the hours drag beyond anything I've ever experienced before and I'm finding that it's having serious adverse affect on my mental health. These past weeks I've tried alsorts of anxiety help aids - sensory toys / re-thinking the situation amongst other things - things that helped in the past but I am still faced with the fact that I have no work and most recently, being checked up on when I go for lunch.

Yesterday, for the first time ever, I just couldn't face it any longer so called in sick. I've struggled for a long time with anxiety and depression on/off and I woke up with a headache after having shitty night worrying about it all - and the thought of another day of dealing with doing nothing - was the final nail in the coffin. Plus, one of my colleagues caused me huge amount of worry last week after an appointment, which went successfully (!!), which seems to only happen in response to me, which has really bothered me. I still have waves of resentment in relation to not being part of the 'click' - they have regular social events they attend as friends and I am specifically not invited.

Now, most recently it seems the company (specific site?) have introduced 'Back to work' interviews in which our sickness is scored on the Bradford Index, and while they were determined to be all blase about saying, 'New Year, new procedures...' and even claiming I was 'defensive' and claiming it was to 'help' me in dealing with any issues I might be facing. They were not willing to take me on when I referred to the above two issues that I am facing - my colleague taking all the work and being without work for long periods. I'm feeling kind of 'played' and frustrated in that they have seriously altered the conditions of the job, and now I'm trying to work out how I should respond.

I'm looking for advice going forward or just some sympathy / experiences. Please don't tell me how intently busy you are - I've been in both positions and this is equally bad.

Honestly, find another job. If there isn't enough work for you, it's writing on the wall anyway. They won't magic work up for you.

Please don't tell me how intently busy you are - I've been in both positions and this is equally bad.

This is about personality. I, like you, would feel utterly awful sitting doing nothing and I'd much rather be too busy. At least the time flies. I'd rather chew my own arm off than just sit there! Especially if you aren't with once colleagues.

Your work seem awful in that nothing is managed and they are effectively paying you for nothing. And you're feeling unwell as a result. I'd go with the 'manage up or manage out' theory. Either there are things you can do to improve your role, or you find another role. Can you find additional projects, policy, things that need doing? Is there work around your work you could do? Procedure notes, training manuals, anything you could take on and work on? Look around for neglected tasks you could take on.

You say you used to work at a computer and now don't. Are you just sat at a customer service location staring into the void? Can you get a work device of some sort to work on?

And, obviously, look for other work.

Your work seem awful in that nothing is managed and they are effectively paying you for nothing.
'Concierge' is the word they're using for it, and they've judged efficacy on the current sales we have (which are much the same as last years).

Can you find additional projects, policy, things that need doing?
They haven't offered anything and nothing has been forthcoming when I've asked in the past (even in the before situation).

Is there work around your work you could do?
I can adjust the displays / wipe things etc.

Are you just sat at a customer service location staring into the void?
Yes, pretty much. I have my phone but even that bores me to death now. There is only so much a person can find to do on a 6x4 screen.

Can you get a work device of some sort to work on?
I'm trying to find a way to offer some solutions to the issue. I've complained about the issue but nothing has been offered in response.

And, obviously, look for other work.
I'm around 2 months away from submitting a huge piece of academic work - I planned to stay and work out my options, but I doubt I will, I just need to get through the next two months or so + jobsearch period.

What a nightmare. But it is time-limited, thank goodness.

I honestly think you've thought of everything they and you could do but what they want is someone in a place. Which is pretty depressing in and of itself.

Great place to try meditation. Or learn another language. Or invent MN alter-egos. Kegels? Face yoga? I'm trying to lighten it but I really feel for you.

Sympathies, I was in a similar situation. I had a PC but it was an open plan office and everyone could see my screen. I used to walk to the toilet the long way around to kill time, sit there for ages, walk back again. It was hellish. I hadn't clicked with my colleagues much so lunchtimes were dull as well. No other work to give me. I left (should have done so a lot earlier).

You say you have 2 months before you plan to leave, that is good news. I would start looking for new work in about a month, that will take a lot of time and you can bookmark jobs etc on your phone. Learning a language is a good one, you can do Duolingo and turn the sound and speaking exercises off.

I honestly think you've thought of everything they and you could do but what they want is someone in a place.
I think it's intentional deskilling of the workforce - this retailer were previously known for knowledgable, helpful staff who had some degree of autonomy in providing customer service / repairs / solutions on a customer by customer basis. This has all been moved to a customer experience centre based within a call centre based elsewhere.

My colleague is delighted at the downturn in work : ( and regularly says how he's so relieved that he no longer has to deal with difficult situations.

I had a PC but it was an open plan office and everyone could see my screen. I used to walk to the toilet the long way around to kill time, sit there for ages, walk back again.
Yes, exactly! Although, again I feel that at least one menager is monitering this and I am not assertive at the best of times - any advice on pushing back would be much appreciated.