stressed out at work, off ill

skintpaul

what is best way to ask for lighter duties- email boss before i go back, or front up problems when i return? maybe tricky, as everyone does sort of the same thing..


Have been off with what i thought was flu, but i normally shrug that sort of thing off, and the more i worry, the worse i feel.

Physically, I am good to return, but otherwise, I dont think I can (or want to) handle the pressure anymore.

I don't really enjoy the work anymore, but right now that is all i can get- no leave left this year, so will be tricky looking for jobs elsewhere.

thank you in advance, for any helpful comments..

Takeaway_Addict

Lighter duties on the vast majority of cases are only temporary so you really need to work out what is actually stressing you out?

Also- The employer does not have to give you lighter duties unless you are covered by the equality act which currenty I would guess you are not.

skintpaul

changes in procedures, measurement of productivity, marks off review / bonus total for ANY mistake, though extra time & effort hardly goes noticed, or thanked..

Some tasks need a lot of follow up work, which takes you off the phones, also affecting stats.

Some days, i feel totally drained after a shift- either dealing with awkward people on the phone, system crashes, or overcoming internal politics/procedures, making what should be a simple thing, very time consuming

Not had much proper sleep in last few days, and getting close to max daily limits of headache pills etc. either peeped up (lemsip), or drowsy as hell!

Tigsteroonie

If you've been off sick, you should be having a return-to-work meeting of some kind. During that meeting you can discuss why you were off and the impact that the pressure is having on your health. Whilst it isn't fair that work can make you ill, it has to be assessed whether it is indeed the workload that is making you ill. It doesn't sound as though you have discussed this with a doctor, so I would suggest you make a GP appointment.

If you go back to work with lighter duties, is that fair on everybody else when (1) you will be getting the same money and (2) they will probably have to pick up your shortfall, adding to their own pressure? Just askin' ...

Also - a personal recommendation - check out some mindfulness apps. The recuperative benefit of a 10-minute meditative break at lunchtime is quite powerful.

motorguy

skintpaul wrote: »

changes in procedures, measurement of productivity, marks off review / bonus total for ANY mistake, though extra time & effort hardly goes noticed, or thanked..

Some tasks need a lot of follow up work, which takes you off the phones, also affecting stats.

Some days, i feel totally drained after a shift- either dealing with awkward people on the phone, system crashes, or overcoming internal politics/procedures, making what should be a simple thing, very time consuming

Not had much proper sleep in last few days, and getting close to max daily limits of headache pills etc. either peeped up (lemsip), or drowsy as hell!

You need to see your doctor as it may be something more serious than a cold that you cant shake that is causing this.

I dont really think though that you can go back to work expecting a permanent "get out of jail free" card because at some point in the future you "might" get stressed (which hasnt even been professionally diagnosed)

shortcrust

I sympathise, but lighter duties are temporary and their purpose is to ease you back to work. They're not a permanent solution to stress. It sounds like you need a different job rather than lighter duties in this one. You never know though. You boss might be horrified to think that the job is putting enough stress to make someone take time off sick. However, from what you've said I wouldn't hold out much hope.

theoretica

How important to you is the bonus, financially? Could you tell the boss you want to voluntarily give it up for the next period in return for not having the stress of it being gradually eroded, and being only held to the minimum productivity?

ohreally

Has your employer conducted stress risk assessments? Are others affected?