Not fit enough for most jobs but not ill enough for benefits..ideas?

Samanthamum

viktory wrote: »

A genuine low fat, low calorie diet will mean you lose weight. No two ways about it - but only if you stick to about 1200-1500 cals a day religiously. Speak with your Doctor before starting a healthy eating plan.

That is what I am aiming for and is not as hard as I thought. Thanks

Uncertain

Samanthamum wrote: »

I have a first class degree in social policy, but never worked full time.

Have you thought about writing "model essays" for any of the online sites that offer this kind of service. You could do this from home in your own time?

hello2007

Samanthamum wrote: »

What type of call centre should I be looking at then? I would really appreciate your advice. My local council is looking for call centre workers, thought that may be less stressful than customer service.

I work for a VERY big name now. Unpaid toilet breaks. Calls monitored hourly. Targets. Not allowed to hang up on abusive customers. Supervisors on 10p an hour above minimum wage. Sometimes told to go home early if there are low call volumes. Hell on earth.

I have worked in call centres if you give the customer a warning about their behaviour then you are allowed to hang up on them.

bluenoseam

Samanthamum wrote: »

I need some ideas of low stress/low activity jobs. I currently work in a call centre, but have had to cut down to 1.5 days a week as I cannot cope mentally with the stress. I suffer from depression, but quit my meds as they never made me feel any better. I am also very overweight and struggle to do anything physical.

I need to work full time as we are going down the pan financially. Looking for ideas for low stress jobs that also are mostly sitting down.

Also is there a place I can go to help me find work/career ideas? Tried the jobcentre but they wont help as I am not on benefits.

I am working on my weight and hope that in 18 months/2 years I will be a healthy weight, but stull need to work in the meantime.

At the risk of sounding fairly nasty here - since when did you gain your qualifications in medicine? Doctors can only help so much and are 100% dependant on you telling them what's wrong in order that they can accurately diagnose & treat an issue. You on the other hand have ignored the educated opinion, have you been back to the doctors to explain why you felt they weren't working and if there are alternatives?

Secondary, you're looking to do something about your weight issues, i feel your pain, i too am overweight and struggle to maintain a fast pace - however the truth is that if you find a job whereby you can atleast have a little bit of activity you will find it easier to drop weight. You're looking for a low stress job where you can sit down - that's pretty much looking for the moon on a stick right now!

Go back to your doctor, speak to them in depth as to why you feel the drugs weren't working, find out if they can suggest anything else. Ultimately my guess is that they'll say "hey, no problems" and work towards getting your mental issues fixed with either a new prescription or alternative treatment.

Hammyman

Samanthamum wrote: »

I am 20 stone and really cant to anything for more than half an hour before I get very very sweaty and need a shower.

Plenty of lorry drivers are that yet seem quite capable of dragging 24 one tonne pallets out of a trailer, climbing up on loads to secure them etc etc etc.

Sitting on your bum 40hrs a week won't address the weight issue however addressing the weight issue WILL improve your mental state. You need to find an active job even if its low level.

mazy_m

Samanthamum wrote: »

I am 20 stone and really cant to anything for more than half an hour before I get very very sweaty and need a shower. For example if i walk to shops and back (half an hour) I am dripping with sweat when I get home. Very embarassing. I do housework in short burst of 10 mins then need to sit. I have had CBT on NHS but did nothing, but there is nothing more they can offer me so I quit my anti depressants as I dont see the point. Trying a low fat diet now to shift the weight.

Hey honey......Ok CBT doesn't work on everyone but I really think it sounds likes you have some things you need dealing with and couselling will probably help .....from what i've read so far etc it seems like you don't have much confidence and that's what's is making it seem much more difficult...
Do you get much support from home from your OH etc?

sweetilemon

What about a library or admin job? Check your local council website for jobs. good luck!

happy_lass

sorry to be blunt but i cant think of any job that is low stress. All jobs have stress to some degree. Also, how can you lose the weight if you are sitting down??! You cant be choosy when it comes to employment. An active job will make you feel better about yourself and release the feel good emotions in your brain. I dont want to offend you but it seems that you are making excuses. Get out there and grab the opportunities !!! They dont come to you, you go to them. good luck.:beer::)

Emmzi

I am not much smaller than you and I have a customer facing job with lots of running about - I wouldn't let your size stop you doing anything! It is tough for the start but fine once you get used to it.

You do sound very down though. I'd see the doc again and if they recommend treatment take it.

(ps big girls can also be gorgeous, I know I am!)

CFC

Samanthamum wrote: »

What type of call centre should I be looking at then? I would really appreciate your advice. My local council is looking for call centre workers, thought that may be less stressful than customer service.

I work for a VERY big name now. Unpaid toilet breaks. Calls monitored hourly. Targets. Not allowed to hang up on abusive customers. Supervisors on 10p an hour above minimum wage. Sometimes told to go home early if there are low call volumes. Hell on earth.

Holy cow. No, not all call centres are the same. It sounds as if you work for a sweatshop. I would be very interested to know which firm you work for. Please do note that (if you have a normal employment contract for full time work) your employers must offer you the correct amount of hours per week/month hence cannot make you go home unpaid if this would leave you with a shortfall of hours.
Targets are common to all call centres but they do need to be achievable. Unpaid toilet breaks - well, you work for a total cheapskate. Every call centre I know of practices a three strike warning on the customer, three shouts or three swear words and the agent can disconnect the call after warning the customer what will happen if the behaviour continues.
You would find the council call centre a very different kettle of fish and they usually pay very well too.
Even outside the council, most other outsourced or in house call centres will treat you better as an employee than you are being treated now, I can assure you of that simply by knowing that your supervisors are paid just over minimum wage.