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Original poster

Struggling at work

16 replies

Newname101011 · 23/10/2025 12:44

I work for a local authority, qualified professional. Have been qualified for 15 years, in present role for 8.

I’m basically burnt out. For context, I had a period of sick leave last year with my mental health due to a non work related issue.

Since being back at work, I feel as though I’m not running at 100% and it’s showing. Work have been supportive, but the work load is never reduced.

I’m behind with paperwork, and have not prepared adequately for a multi agency meeting that ended up being cancelled anyway as I’m currently unwell.

I’m fully expecting to be put on a PIP after my next supervision session, which I accept is needed.

But honestly, I don’t know how I can improve. Reduction of workload would help, but is unlikely.

My motivation is variable, and I know that is not acceptable. For both the people I support and the authority I need to be committed all of the time.

I’ve looked at retraining or job change. Job change would mean a drop in salary that I can’t really afford right now. Also I’m in my late 50’s so need to consider my pension.

OP posts:
ChristmasHug · 23/10/2025 20:49

They aren't giving you adequate support. A PIP is a good move, you can both agree what you need and what targets to meet, do not agree to anything you cannot do.

You're a long serving member of staff with valuable skills who's underperforming a little at the moment but is probably way better than any replacement.

However, you aren't well and this is a demanding job. What is being done about that? What do you need?

LoveSundays · 23/10/2025 20:52

Im sorry you're having a tough time.

Are you a social worker......? 🤔

Either way I guess the options are -

  • Suck it up and just keep going
  • Drop to pt
  • Leave and find something else (the same sort of work but a less stressful team?)
RandomMess · 23/10/2025 20:55

Some of this could be menopause related, it can massively impact your memory, executive function and ability to cope with everyday stuff.

itsme43 · 23/10/2025 21:18

Social worker by any chance?

Could you reduce your hours to part time and then find another part time job to fit around it?
something a little less stressful?

Original poster
Newname101011 · 23/10/2025 21:23

@ChristmasHug, I don’t honestly know what I need.
As @LoveSundays has correctly guessed, I’m a social worker and if I’m totally honest I’m done. Done with unmanageable workloads, constant safeguarding, micro management, all of it.
I don’t really know what I need to keep myself in this job.

This isn’t an overnight thing.
I work hard, generally work over my hours at least two days of the week.

I agree @RandomMess, I think some of this is to do with menopause.

OP posts:
Original poster
Newname101011 · 23/10/2025 21:26

@itsme43, yep, social worker.

I was looking at compressed hours, a nine day fortnight but I’d want to take alternate Fridays off and have been told that that won’t be approved.

I’ve been working my salary out to see if I could drop a day but that’s not doable at the moment, about to move. Will only have a slightly bigger mortgage but I’m cautious about finances.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 23/10/2025 21:27

Are you on HRT, it could help?

Original poster
Newname101011 · 23/10/2025 21:33

Yes @RandomMess, I am. It does help a lot. I’m going to contact my GP and request an HRT review but I don’t know there’s a lot they can change tbh. I’m on Estridiol and progesterone capsules.

OP posts:
Moomin37 · 23/10/2025 21:39

Sorry to hear about this as it sounds really tough. Could you move to a different part of the authority, such as children’s commissioning? Your experience as a social worker would be invaluable and you’d soon pick up the commissioning element (you do it now at an individual level, so you just need to to scale it up to a county level).

Original poster
Newname101011 · 24/10/2025 09:19

Moomin37 · 23/10/2025 21:39

Sorry to hear about this as it sounds really tough. Could you move to a different part of the authority, such as children’s commissioning? Your experience as a social worker would be invaluable and you’d soon pick up the commissioning element (you do it now at an individual level, so you just need to to scale it up to a county level).

I’ve not thought about commissioning. I’ve been looking at policy/research jobs so will look at commissioning too. Thanks for the idea 😊

OP posts:
something2say · 24/10/2025 09:26

Hey. I can relate as I was in a high pressure high risk job - for 11 years. I hated the last few. I stayed because I thought I couldn't make the money elsewhere. I was spending £200 a month on petrol for a start - and didn't realise the company I now work for had a wonderful place of work not 6 miles from where I lived at the time, and had I gone there, my quality of life would have immediately improved and I wouldn't have been shit at work those last two years. I look back now and think I should have left.

I say the same to you - there is a shelf life to the career you are in, you are burnt out, you are over it and you need to be wise and accept that.

I would look elsewhere now.

I wish I had done agency work - more choice, higher money.

A friend of mine became a senior social worker and then accepted a position lecturing in social work.....very highly paid. Also did on call weekends when paying back her masters.

I think it is time to accept the truth and behave accordingly. These things have a way of coming out whether we like them or not, because they are real, so step up and make a change. I will come anyway, because it is right for it to come....

Original poster
Newname101011 · 24/10/2025 09:38

@something2say I’m glad you made the change!
And yes, I could look closer to home, given that I’d save on travel costs. I’ll have a proper look at finances this weekend and work out how much of a salary drop is affordable.

Just worried about pension but I could look at an AVC or SIPP

OP posts:
Greenwitchart · 24/10/2025 09:48

If you are struggling with your mental health and workload you need to ask for a referral to occupational health and reasonable adjustment and make it clear to your manager that your excessive workload is an issue.

You have a condition that is affecting you long term and this means your employer needs to consider reasonable adjustments, not put you on a PIP.

Don't let them push you out that way and speak to ACAS.

Then you and your employer might agree that the best outcome is for you to leave with a financial settlement but don't let them just dismiss you by using a PIP.

Original poster
Newname101011 · 24/10/2025 11:07

Greenwitchart · 24/10/2025 09:48

If you are struggling with your mental health and workload you need to ask for a referral to occupational health and reasonable adjustment and make it clear to your manager that your excessive workload is an issue.

You have a condition that is affecting you long term and this means your employer needs to consider reasonable adjustments, not put you on a PIP.

Don't let them push you out that way and speak to ACAS.

Then you and your employer might agree that the best outcome is for you to leave with a financial settlement but don't let them just dismiss you by using a PIP.

That sounds like a plan @Greenwitchart, thank you.
I’ll speak to my manager next week and request a referral.

OP posts:
LoveSundays · 24/10/2025 16:56

I'm a qualified social worker and have recently been considering going back (partly because this is where I can earn the most money).
I keep going back & forth in my head. Friends who are still social workers have said not to do it.

I think there should be some good opportunities out there for you though -

  • Working for your current LA but doing training
  • Practice educator (do they still call them that?) possibly as an independent social worker....
  • Working for a fostering agency (Action for children etc) as a Form F assessor (assessing prospective foster carers)
  • Teaching social work at a local Uni
  • Children's residential home as a deputy manager or manager
  • Moving to a less stressful social work job (I always think fostering, or adoption might be quite nice)
Original poster
Newname101011 · 25/10/2025 10:15

LoveSundays · 24/10/2025 16:56

I'm a qualified social worker and have recently been considering going back (partly because this is where I can earn the most money).
I keep going back & forth in my head. Friends who are still social workers have said not to do it.

I think there should be some good opportunities out there for you though -

  • Working for your current LA but doing training
  • Practice educator (do they still call them that?) possibly as an independent social worker....
  • Working for a fostering agency (Action for children etc) as a Form F assessor (assessing prospective foster carers)
  • Teaching social work at a local Uni
  • Children's residential home as a deputy manager or manager
  • Moving to a less stressful social work job (I always think fostering, or adoption might be quite nice)

I could do practice educator training but I’d need to be in a better head space tbh.

OP posts:
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