Advice needed quickly

Workmeltdown · 2025-07-31T20:58:18+00:00

Had a meltdown at work today. My workload has increased by over 100% & i can't cope. Its affecting my health, physically & mentally. Have had regular monthly meetings with my manager & asked for help & been told no. This week a colleague told me they haven't enough to do & had offered to help me & been told no. So what do I do now? Work tomorrow as normal. Take the day off. Go off sick. I've decided I can't keep going in this job & will look for something else but don't know what to do right now

Enrichetta · 31/07/2025 21:59

Work to rule while you are looking for another job?

Noshadowsinthedark · 31/07/2025 22:01

It sounds like you’re not well enough to be there OP, a meltdown at work would be a sign of that.

I would be off tomorrow and contact your GP. Health first then looking at how work could be handled.

If you make them aware it’s work related stress then they should support with a stress risk assessment, OH or similar.

AlphaFemaleNotBeta · 31/07/2025 22:09

I would go in, do what I could and take my breaks. I would account for my time and prioritise and email boss to say x and y complete but I did not complete z

Original poster

Workmeltdown · 01/08/2025 07:23

Woke up with a migraine so that's made my decision easy. Won't be going in today. Need to decide next steps but can think straight right now.

OP posts:

Isitreallysohard · 01/08/2025 07:25

AlphaFemaleNotBeta · 31/07/2025 22:09

I would go in, do what I could and take my breaks. I would account for my time and prioritise and email boss to say x and y complete but I did not complete z

Do this, leave on the dot and of course leave asap.

itsgettingweird · 01/08/2025 07:40

When you’re migraine is better I’d return and send an email something like

“as previously discussed my workload has doubled since X time. My working hours have not increased nor my salary to reflect that. X offered to help but was told that was not agreeable.
Therefore I am going to have to prioritise my workload further than previous need. If there is anything you need prioritised please inform me by email.
A reminder that my working hours are X-Y and I have breaks at X time and will be offline from X-Y for lunch.

It needs to be in writing Carly why you won’t be getting as much done because although you’re looking for somewhere else you don’t want them to have ammunition to do anything whilst you’re still there looking.

If after a few weeks you a) don’t have anything else or b) nothings improved then sick leave for work related stress.

Hope you feel better soon. Migraines are the pits

summerskyblue · 01/08/2025 07:56

Take some time off and start looking for another job.

Make it clear in an email (so you have a trail) to your manager that your new targets are not achievable and raise your concerns about not being given any additional support.

Continue to work your usual pace and write a list of everything you do every day (so you also have evidence that all you contracted work hours are already full and that no extra work can be completed).

PhilippaGeorgiou · 01/08/2025 08:04

itsgettingweird · 01/08/2025 07:40

When you’re migraine is better I’d return and send an email something like

“as previously discussed my workload has doubled since X time. My working hours have not increased nor my salary to reflect that. X offered to help but was told that was not agreeable.
Therefore I am going to have to prioritise my workload further than previous need. If there is anything you need prioritised please inform me by email.
A reminder that my working hours are X-Y and I have breaks at X time and will be offline from X-Y for lunch.

It needs to be in writing Carly why you won’t be getting as much done because although you’re looking for somewhere else you don’t want them to have ammunition to do anything whilst you’re still there looking.

If after a few weeks you a) don’t have anything else or b) nothings improved then sick leave for work related stress.

Hope you feel better soon. Migraines are the pits

My working hours have not increased nor my salary to reflect that.

Do not say this. You are conflating matters. If increasing your salary would "fix" your workload then the issue is not the workload. It will be viewed as a veild attempt at a pay rise. Which might be nice, but you will still have a workload that you cannot manage. If the workload is the issue, that is what your complaint needs to be about.

Original poster

Workmeltdown · 01/08/2025 09:13

Good advice.i have not had a pay rise in 2 years but I dont want to confuse the issue by mentioning that. Money won't fix this. I need additional help or I need to leave.

OP posts:

itsgettingweird · 01/08/2025 09:45

By salary I meant to reflect the extra hours you’re having to work. I should have explained that better.

But yea don’t conflate the 2 as in if you were paid more the workload wouldn’t be an issue.

yellowcupofhappy · 01/08/2025 13:15

I was you OP. I got signed off sick and it has completely changed my life.

HundredMilesAnHour · 01/08/2025 13:22

itsgettingweird · 01/08/2025 09:45

By salary I meant to reflect the extra hours you’re having to work. I should have explained that better.

But yea don’t conflate the 2 as in if you were paid more the workload wouldn’t be an issue.

OP has also said that her working hours haven’t increased.

She needs to estimate how many additional hours per day / week her increased workload requires e.g. she works 9am-6pm but is now being given the daily equivalent of 14 hours work.

beelegal · 01/08/2025 13:23

Find another job. It amazes me how many people continue working for an employer yet at the same time they are unhappy in that employment. They will not change for one or two people. Get out and move on. You are more likely to get a pay raise that way too.

RandomMess · 01/08/2025 13:27

I would also tell them that stress cause the migraine.

Original poster

Workmeltdown · 01/08/2025 16:50

I am trying to find another job. So far I've only had 1 interview & never heard anything back. I thought they would let me know either way. I work every weekend just to keep up but I'm going to stop doing that as of now.

OP posts:

Enrichetta · 01/08/2025 16:53

Yes….. you’re weekends are better spent recharging and looking for a better job, ☝

slightlydistrac · 01/08/2025 17:26

Workmeltdown · 01/08/2025 16:50

I am trying to find another job. So far I've only had 1 interview & never heard anything back. I thought they would let me know either way. I work every weekend just to keep up but I'm going to stop doing that as of now.

If you've been working extra hours, have you been paid overtime for them?

Velmy · 01/08/2025 21:14

Email to manager, copy in their manager and HR.

List your previous workload. List additional workload.

List what you will be prioritizing moving forward. List what will not be completed as a result. Ask for acknowledgement of this in writing, with any adjustments they wish to make.

Note that you have been working additional hours over the weekend (presumably unpaid?) but are no longer able to do this for health reasons. Note the impact this additional workload is having on your health. Note that unless things are put in place immediately, you will take your Doctor's advice to be signed off.

ilovesooty · 01/08/2025 21:25

I'd be looking to leave but in the meantime ask for an OH assessment, self refer to Mental health Access to work and iinsist on a written, regularly reviewed wellbeing action plan on your return.

yallahbye · 01/08/2025 21:26

They increased your workload by 100% without increasing your salary? Is this even legal or allowed? What kind of workplace is this and what type of job?
I am furious on your behalf. I would threaten by some kind of legal action.
Reading posts like this is absolutely sad. It’s shocking that employees are not valued, and potentially disposable, especially if they dare complain about something. Loads of employers are slavedrivers and exploitative. The current dire jobmarket doesn’t help. In fact it probably causes this problem.

Original poster

Workmeltdown · 02/08/2025 06:14

My workload has increased due to the business being busier. I am the only person who does what I do & weekly figures are collated so it's easy to see the upward trend. A year ago we were told they are aware of how busy we are & if you're struggling to speak to to your line manager. I have done this on a monthly basis since then. Other departments have employed more staff but I have been told mine doesn't justify another person. Apart from the stress this makes me feel undervalued, like my role is not important. They talk the talk about mental health & work/life balance but the reality is they just don't care.All my overtime is unpaid so they're laughing.

OP posts:

yallahbye · 02/08/2025 09:40

Workmeltdown · 02/08/2025 06:14

My workload has increased due to the business being busier. I am the only person who does what I do & weekly figures are collated so it's easy to see the upward trend. A year ago we were told they are aware of how busy we are & if you're struggling to speak to to your line manager. I have done this on a monthly basis since then. Other departments have employed more staff but I have been told mine doesn't justify another person. Apart from the stress this makes me feel undervalued, like my role is not important. They talk the talk about mental health & work/life balance but the reality is they just don't care.All my overtime is unpaid so they're laughing.

I just wouldn’t turn up one day. That’s what they deserve.
Could you find another job without needing a reference or anything from them?

PhilippaGeorgiou · 02/08/2025 11:17

yallahbye · 02/08/2025 09:40

I just wouldn’t turn up one day. That’s what they deserve.
Could you find another job without needing a reference or anything from them?

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That could be a recipe for disaster - for the OP. If she did that they would be entitled to sue for any quantifiable loss. So they could literally hire a temporary replacement at double her salary to cover whilst they recruit, and she'd pay the difference between her salary and the temps.

SilverGlitterBaubles · 02/08/2025 11:57

As long as you are working and doing extra hours to get things done they do not care. You should prioritise your health first, take time if needed to recover and reflect and make it clear to your employer aware that this is impacting your health and things can’t go on as they are.

yallahbye · 02/08/2025 12:28

PhilippaGeorgiou · 02/08/2025 11:17

That could be a recipe for disaster - for the OP. If she did that they would be entitled to sue for any quantifiable loss. So they could literally hire a temporary replacement at double her salary to cover whilst they recruit, and she'd pay the difference between her salary and the temps.

Show quote history

Then in her place I would hand in my notice, and until I leave I wouldn’t bother doing the extra workload, just as much as I did before. This way they can’t even complain because I fulfilling my usual duties.