To go off sick

[snch]

Hi,

I work in a call centre and I do 16 hours a week. I’ve not been consistent with hitting my targets and my boss has put me on a PIP. That’s fine and I’m happy to get all the help I can.

I explained to my boss that I’m doing the best I can. I had a really bad day on Thursday I took about 8 calls and I couldn’t get a sale. It ended in me crying to my boss (pathetically). It just got to me that I’m genuinely trying my best.

Today I’ve went in with the mind set of having a fresh start to the month and had just of bad of a day. It’s to the point now where I actually feel sick with stress/worry. My boss has given me reassurance that she will support and help me. Everything else I’m doing is fine it’s just getting the sales.

its now affecting my home life I feel short with the kids. Do I just ride out this storm and see how it goes or shall I speak to my GP. I don’t know where to go

What is it youre selling? Sadly the sales of many companies aren’t going well and can imagine there’s also a lot of mistrust on calls centres due to fear of fraud. Sorry that’s probably completely unhelpful but it’s not you

What are you selling? If it’s cold calling, you’d never get a sale from me. I also research before buying anything so I will have more than likely made my supplier decision well before any phone selling.

it’s not cold calling, it’s taking inbound calls and getting a customer to take our new insurance

Can’t you spend some of your day with a colleague who is reaching their targets? Sometimes it helps to see how others work and the types of questions they ask. Your boss wants to help, which is great. Going off sick will achieve nothing except put you on an attendance and performance plan.

Have you considered changing jobs? I don’t think thus one is going to work out long term for you.

I'd look for a different job

Get a new job. You’re not sick.

I’m trying so hard to get another job but I’m really struggling to get something around the school run hours. I think that’s what’s adding to my anxiety

I would look for a new job OP. I honestly think sales jobs are just perfect for some people and a complete nightmare for others, it’s the gift of the gab, the confidence, the performing under pressure- I would hate it, my sister absolutely thrives in it.

There is no point going off sick because the targets and pressures aren’t going anywhere so I would start looking for other work.

Thank you! I have suggested this! I’m actually not doing terrible and I’m not far off where I need to be

Another vote for a different job. You can work in a contact centre dealing with technical calls with lots of support on how to help customers and solve their problems.

that might be much more congenial than trying to flog insurance.

I can't see how going off sick will do anything other than increase your stress. You'll get further behind and will worry about the impact on getting a new job. Your manager sounds supportive. Work with them while you look for a new job.

Thank you! I think I’m just in panic mode at the moment

Sadly ( and it happened to be) a PIP is often a one way street. I hope sincerely it isn't in your case

Seriously? You cant do your job so want to be paid to be off sick, when you arent sick? Come on.

Its obv not the job for you, get a new job.

Does the school not do bfast and after school club? What do other working parents do?

No- my son’s nursery doesn’t not offer anything after 14:30. Due to the government expanding the free hours childcare there’s no places at other nursery’s

How do you know she will be paid? many people are not. Have you done sales before @snch ? It's not for everybody.

To be honest, what would going off sick solve?

I’ve been looking for other jobs. I feel mentally unwell because I feel under pressure to find something else

It’s not going to solve anything. Maybe just give me time to get in the right headspace.

I can do the job, I’m not that far off where I need to be. I hadn’t sold anything before this job. Probably why I’m struggling

Going off sick will not help you get any better at your job. You need to stick it out and either carry on trying to improve or continue to find another job. Running away isn’t always the answer even though it’s the easiest thing to do

Will you be paid if you're off sick? Other than SSP?

If you are feeling this awful about it and it's target driven, you probably won't end up hitting your targets if you feel so demoralised.

It doesn't sound fun. And if you're trying your best it just means you're maybe just not suited to this type thing. Or they're just rubbish at training, managing and incentivising staff.

So yeah, definitely look for a new job and go off sick if you need to and it won't leave your family destitute.

Thank you. Work is consuming my thoughts. I hate that I’m not where I should be. I need to suck it up and just continue on