What are my options?

TommyTucker_2

Hi guys

I've worked on a call team for a large insurance company for the past 3 years. Previous to that, I have worked on various 'back office' teams. In total, I have worked for the company for 13 years.

To put it bluntly, I hate my current position. I feel that it is taking its toll on my health and I simply find it too stressful. I also suffer from a stress-related illness (colitis), which doesn't help.

I've previously raised the issue with my manager, who arranged for Occupational Health to contact me, which they did, to discuss the issue further - specifically, the reasons behind why I find it so stressful.

I am really good at my job, and my manager has no issues with my work, and she has told me that she wouldn't want to see me go. Therefore, we agreed that I would continue in the role, and take more breaks if I felt it necessary. I met again with my manager a few months later to discuss how things were going, and I think things have drifted a bit since then.

I must say at this point, that I have no problem with the company. They are very fair. It just seems that my temperament is not suited to the role.

So I feel that the time has come when I need to be more assertive in making it clear how I feel. Ultimately, I would prefer a job that is purely administrative, rather than telephone-based.

Therefore I am wondering where I stand at this point. My manager is very good, and I know she will listen to what I have to say, but I'm unclear exactly as to what I CAN say, without pushing it. I am, after all, very grateful for my job in the current economic climate.

I am gearing up to telling my manager that I wish to move teams - but I am wondering whether I able to 'demand' that I do not work on the telephones? The only job which I think would be ideal for me, would be a position in the postroom.

My main fear is that I ask for a move to another team, but that there are no vacancies available elsewhere. And then the company may get jittery about keeping me on in my current role, bearing in mind that I am finding it too stressful. Could they, for example, legally terminate my employment altogether? Are they obliged to find me a place on another team?

I am on a fairly decent wage at the moment, so I'm thinking that I would need to take a drop in pay, which I would be happy to do in favour of my health.

Any help would be most appreciated.

InsideInsurance

TommyTucker wrote: »

I've worked on a call team for a large insurance company for the past 3 years. Previous to that, I have worked on various 'back office' teams. In total, I have worked for the company for 13 years.

To put it bluntly, I hate my current position. I feel that it is taking its toll on my health and I simply find it too stressful. I also suffer from a stress-related illness (colitis), which doesn't help.

Are you in sales, accounts, claims or ....? What aspect of the job do you find stressful?

Would you be happy to returning to your old "back office" job with the associated drop in pay?

As you yourself say, your company and manager have done things right and are trying to be helpful. There should be nothing to stop you applying internally for any vacancy that you think could be more suitable for you and you've the skills to do. If it is a lower grade then you simply need to be clear why you are taking the cut.

If you have the record you say you have then they arent going to want to see you go and will do whats reasonable to try and make things work out. That doesnt mean they'll create a brand new job role just for you (though I've seen it done).

Assuming you arent actually taking time off then clearly they cannot sack you because you tell them that you feel stressed. A new manager should look at your track record and your explanation of why this new job will alleviate the issues and see that as much more preferable then taking on a totally unknown by employing someone outside the company

DKLS

I wouldn't demand a role in the post room unless you want a significant pay cut.

TommyTucker_2

Thanks for the replies, sorry for my late reply.

I'm going to tough it out for the next few months, see if I can't turn things round for myself first of all by taking a different approach to my work.

If this doesn't work, then I will request a move to another team (by the way, I work on a call team that answers queries on life/pensions products), and the reason I find it so stressful is due to the types of people I have to talk to - very demanding, and often rude!

Thanks for your help.

InsideInsurance

TommyTucker wrote: »

I work on a call team that answers queries on life/pensions products), and the reason I find it so stressful is due to the types of people I have to talk to - very demanding, and often rude!

To be honest, welcome to dealing with the public. All customer service departments, which it sounds that you are in, have to deal irate and rude customers. To quote the old adage is to say to remember they are generally annoyed at the company and not you personally. Claims is arguably even worse as you get to tell people their claims been declined which never goes down well.