Started a job I'm not fit enough to do. How to proceed?

mattcanary

badskindollheart wrote: »

Why is anyone even entertaining this? It is obviously a wind up.

I have reported you. You are the troll, not OP

pinpin

I don't see it as a wind up to be honest.
I can sympathise.
I think those who think it's a wind up haven't suffered any mental health (thankfully)

fufu_banterwaite

mattcanary wrote: »

I have reported you. You are the troll, not OP

Matt I hope you are not being serious? This poster is allowed an opinion, he wasn’t rude or insulting he merely said he though the OP was on a wind up and it isn’t like he is alone in thinking that. If you really have reported him then that is pathetic.

vroombroom

Sorry but I'm in the 'man up' camp. I'm a similar age to you and work a mixture of evening and nightshift in a supermarket, hauling crates, rollers, trays etc for 10 hours. Then I go home and look after an energetic toddler, a dog and run a house. It knacks my back and shoulders but it's a job that fits round my OH's job and no childcare fees.

Ozzuk

Depression will certainly add to the feeling of 'i just can't do this' but if you stick with it then it could really help it - you'll be fitter (and exercise does help), you have the chance to meet more people, you'll be contributing to society. There are many positives, don't give up and let your depression win - and I know how tough that can be.

Good luck, stick with it!

essjae

To the OP:
Starting any new job is tough. Starting a physically demanding job, working long hours, when you have been out of work for a significant amount of time is even tougher.
Without anything else changing, if you stick with it and "man up" as they say, it will get easier as time goes on.
However, being pro-active about a few things could help:
1) Ask people for a lift into work! Don't expect them to offer without your asking:- perhaps they haven't noticed you walking, perhaps they think you prefer to walk, perhaps they feel too shy to offer. If you ask around for a lift, the worst that can happen is that you don't find a lift but you do get to know your co-workers a bit better.
2) Talk to your manager about your hours. Don't go in there demanding things, try not to come accross as whiny, and don't expect that you will get any major concessions, but if you make a reasonable request (eg- to reduce your hours so that you have at least 1 day off), they should at least consider it.
3) Think about the positives with this job - presumably if you're doing so many hours additional to your contract, you should be due a nice little windfall in your wages! Once you get paid, use a little of the extra money and spend it on something that makes you happy. (Making sure you meet all your financial obligations beforehand, of course!) (Also, of course rampant consumerism is not the answer to your problems, but sometimes it is nice as a quick pick-me-up).

totalfailiure

I'm back to add some more to this. Thanks to anyone still reading. It's long and there's some questions in there. I hope someone can at least answer a few. Thank you.

I'm having problems with the manager and a few other things. We argued today about him keeping me back to do work. I said no, I've gotta go and he didn't care. He said something like "when I tell you to do something, I expect you to do it". This was after I'd stopped back half an hour over my time and said that's all I could do, I need to go. He said he wasn't happy and that would be the last time anything like that happened. Sounds like I'd be sacked the next time. I feel like a prisoner. So I have to ask again (sorry), is this... Legal? And what is stopping him from keeping me back until whatever time he wants? I still haven't asked about the working time directive thing. Maybe I was a bit scared to do so.

But some sections from the contract:

Working week
A typical working week will consist of 20 hrs per week. A working rota will be prepared at least two weeks in advance to inform you of the shifts you will be required to work.

Management may change days off after the roster has been posted. This will normally occur during periods of extreme staff shortages such as sickness. Any changes will be made with as much notice as possible.

Overtime
Due to operational requirements, such as stocktaking, you will be from time to time asked to commit to overtime working. Overtime payments will be made at your basic hourly rate.

Changes to working hours
The company reserves the right to amend your working hours and/or rota to meet changes in operating requirements. Any such amendments will be subject to reasonable notice.

It was only today when I was due to go home at 6pm that he said I need to stop back. Is that reasonable? He asked why and I told him, but that should have been none of his business. There could have been lots of reasons why I needed to go.

Also, all of this time I've been cleaning toilets and the toilet areas and the cleaning chemicals haven't been explained to me. I don't know how dangerous they are and in which ways and I don't want to put myself or other people at risk of burns. I guy came up to me and told me a story about someone using chemicals at work and got 3rd degree burns. And it was somehow his fault and didn't get any compensation.

Sorry for all the text, it's probably difficult to answer what I'm writing.

I think I'm on a 13-week probation period and I expect he will ask me to stay past my normal hours tomorrow and I'll say I can't and he'll finish me. I don't know a lot about what might happen after that. Is it called a dismissal? Will it hinder me being able to claim JSA? Would it be wise to add this job on my CV? I did learn a few new things and accomplish a lot but wonder about the reference.

I guess I'm looking for valid reasons to get out of the job.

I do think it has valid flaws but I don't know how strong they are. Another stupid one is the cleaning cupboard. You can't even open the door past about 40 degrees. It's tiny and full of things including a sink. If you can get in, it barely fits a person. It's not reasonable to work with and I don't have anyone to show me a way how to manage it. It's very awkward when filling mop buckets and using the chemicals like I said before.

PS. Update on the fitness thing - Not an issue any more. I've already adapted. People were right. Insoles and RadianB seemed to help.

DCFC79

First thing is as far as I am aware he can't keep you back especially when he asks you at 6pm.

Secondly re the chemicals I would have thought you would need to be shown how to use them correctly to prevent burns.

Have you not been told about health and safety re the chemicals ?

Why not start looking for something else now, even if its something simple like retail.

jobbingmusician

I'm very glad to hear that your general level of fitness has improved - well done!

Yes, you should get training re chemicals, but there is also a requirement for any cleaning chemicals to be stored in packing which indicates how to safely use the product. I used to do training for a very big manufacturer of cleaning chemicals, and the training consisted largely of reminding people to READ THE PACKAGING AND POSTERS (which should be!) ON DISPLAY. So whilst I appreciate that you may want formal training, this will keep you safe.

ohreally

totalfailiure wrote: »

Also, all of this time I've been cleaning toilets and the toilet areas and the cleaning chemicals haven't been explained to me. I don't know how dangerous they are and in which ways and I don't want to put myself or other people at risk of burns. I guy came up to me and told me a story about someone using chemicals at work and got 3rd degree burns. And it was somehow his fault and didn't get any compensation.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/basics.htm

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/regulation/3/made

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/37 sec2

https://www.gmb.org.uk/join/join-online (others are available)