Mental Health Awareness

I feel onthe edge of burnout again.
With two jobs and a fulltime masters degree to work on, I really need a break (not had any time off anything since September last year)
karlc, it is okay doing this for short bursts, but as Paul quite correctly states, it is no good over a prolonged period. Please try and get some sort of balance and at the very least try to discuss your situation on a face to face basis if at all possible; can you perhaps talk to the people or organisation associated with your degree or people associated with your two jobs.
Things are usually tough in order to progress, but they should not be too tough or indeed for severely extended periods.
 
Yeah I am struggling with one job and no extra educational programmes. My job takes way too many hours (50-60 pw against a contracted 37.5h), for a disorganised large client and with our internal management expecting miracles and taking an "all stick and no carrot" approach. I flagged that have been suffering sleep deprivation, muscular cramps, increased heart rate, shortness of breath and mental distress and distraction, because the pace is relentless (every 15 minutes is some sort of problem, 'emergency' or deadline, and I'm constantly being asked 'drop what you're doing and sort this out', followed by 'have you done it yet, client is chasing!'

My bosses reply?
"Welcome to 2021!"
Literally said that to my face on a team Zoom meeting, the inference being he could not give a rat's arse about my health so long as he gets his KPIs. He has subsequently been made a director. Guess that's the culture of this company!

Not sure how much longer I can keep it up, and I am now looking not just for a new job but an entirely new career or direction. Not the easiest when in mid 50s. I am tempted to just get a truck and a lawnmower!

I can't imagine doing 2 jobs and a post graduate degree at the same time.
 
Yeah I am struggling with one job and no extra educational programmes. My job takes way too many hours (50-60 pw against a contracted 37.5h), for a disorganised large client and with our internal management expecting miracles and taking an "all stick and no carrot" approach. I flagged that have been suffering sleep deprivation, muscular cramps, increased heart rate, shortness of breath and mental distress and distraction, because the pace is relentless (every 15 minutes is some sort of problem, 'emergency' or deadline, and I'm constantly being asked 'drop what you're doing and sort this out', followed by 'have you done it yet, client is chasing!'

My bosses reply?
"Welcome to 2021!"
Literally said that to my face on a team Zoom meeting, the inference being he could not give a rat's arse about my health so long as he gets his KPIs. He has subsequently been made a director. Guess that's the culture of this company!

Not sure how much longer I can keep it up, and I am now looking not just for a new job but an entirely new career or direction. Not the easiest when in mid 50s. I am tempted to just get a truck and a lawnmower!

I can't imagine doing 2 jobs and a post graduate degree at the same time.
Very difficult situation hotmetal; have you sought HR advice, either via your own company or a solicitor, this may be worthwhile doing. If your company is persistently putting you into situations that are way in above of your contracted 37.5 hours per week, they may not acting as a responsible employer and you may well have grounds for constructive dismissal and you may wish to consider this route; albeit not easy, but your health is the most important issue. As an aside and as I understand it, the Working Rule Directive still applies in the UK and if you have signed an opt out you can legally opt back in at any time.
The other thing is employers play on this situation because generally employees do not want to fail and therefore employees pile more and more work on them. Sometimes, albeit again it is not easy, it is important to actually fail in this situation to demonstrate that the position you are being put in is neither achievable nor indeed fair.
The thing is hotmetal that you really do need to do something, because this situation is simply not sustainable for the long term and as you quite rightly state your mental and general heath is suffering badly and cannot continue without something giving.
May I suggest that you do record on your timesheets (if you are able) and a spreadsheet and/or a diary what actual hours you are working and of course the comments you are receiving from your boss (c/w times and dates etc) and all emails and directives, if of course you are not already doing so.
Sounds very much like your boss is a bully to me.
NB: You have probably done this but I note that you have "flagged" certain issues; make sure these flagged issues are in a written format and directed towards HR and your boss.
 
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So sorry to hear what you are saying, I have been pushed myself in my younger days.
If you can get things witnessed,
Document everything and report to HR requesting confirmation of your concern. You do not mention a union? It may well be worth just ringing your local branch for advice, you may well get a bit support.
I f**King hate incompetent work bullies and i always stood up to them, inside and if I was lucky outside of work. My teams always knew I was "Firm but Fair" with them, my lads were very loyal to me.
I am afraid this "bullying" is seen as good management these days and as staff have so many financial constrictions they get away with it.
Think where you want to be in a couple of years, baton down the hatches and go for it.
Sadly it will not fix itself.
Good luck bud
 
Tony comes up with some very good points. Many companies push employees to the limit because they know that most employees will actually do nothing about it and it is not easy taking on the might of a company's HR and legal departments (you must go through the company's HR department, but remember they are ultimately there to protect the company not the employee). It is not easy, but it can be done with some planning and perseverance; and something must be done because this situation will only get worse. Some companies may initially turn a blind eye to bullies but they will not stand by them (and it is definitely not in their interest to stand by them) when things get serious and they are out in the open. It will be necessary to start preparing in an analytical and methodical manner; do not get angry, you are doing it because you have been wronged and for the sake of your future and well-being. Prepare all the initial information you need and make some initial contacts with HR, a solicitor (a solicitor that specialises in Employment Law, will give you a good indication of the merits of your particular case) and/or your union, if you are lucky enough to have one. You may (no, will) find that this individual is a serial bully and as you have alluded to before is ruining many people's lives. Good luck with your quest, stay strong, but start to take some action and most importantly make some time and do some things for yourself, even if this is to the detriment of your company or the client you are currently seconded to.
 
Best wishes to all in this situation, I was forced into long hours and no weekends off in a City job with Middle East clients who expected an instant response night and day and any day of the week, the culture was 'you are being paid a lot get on with it'.
 
I probably wouldn't mind quite as much if the money was good, I'd stash some and then move on with a decent buffer, or just have a sabbatical. Unfortunately what I do has become commoditised and salaries are back to where they were 20 years ago, pretty much wherever you look. They all point to each other and say "it's the going rate for your role" which appears to be true now, despite all this talk of skills shortages. My issue is more the stress than the money as I'm relatively content with a low maintenance life style but a bit of breathing space would be a help!
 
Too true! I usually manage to get to martial arts once a week at least, more if I can. It's a fantastic way to destress. An hour or two spent in the company of like minded people who you trust, plus exercise, breathing, meditation. Actually, the whole time you are training is 'living in the moment' so it blocks out almost all other thoughts and is like a mini holiday. It's kept me sane, even though my performance in it has taken a hit because of the blood pressure and tiredness and breathing. But it's kind of its own therapy if you can rise above competitiveness (which is no problem for me). My chief instructor is also having a lot of stress with his family life and he said the same thing so it's good to be training with someone in similar state of mind as well, although it would be better if his troubles would be solved obviously!
 
Yeah I am struggling with one job and no extra educational programmes. My job takes way too many hours (50-60 pw against a contracted 37.5h), for a disorganised large client and with our internal management expecting miracles and taking an "all stick and no carrot" approach. I flagged that have been suffering sleep deprivation, muscular cramps, increased heart rate, shortness of breath and mental distress and distraction, because the pace is relentless (every 15 minutes is some sort of problem, 'emergency' or deadline, and I'm constantly being asked 'drop what you're doing and sort this out', followed by 'have you done it yet, client is chasing!'

My bosses reply?
"Welcome to 2021!"
Literally said that to my face on a team Zoom meeting, the inference being he could not give a rat's arse about my health so long as he gets his KPIs. He has subsequently been made a director. Guess that's the culture of this company!

Not sure how much longer I can keep it up, and I am now looking not just for a new job but an entirely new career or direction. Not the easiest when in mid 50s. I am tempted to just get a truck and a lawnmower!

I can't imagine doing 2 jobs and a post graduate degree at the same time.
What career would you like?

I was made redundant in the pandemic, but picked up a fixed term contract which has now finished. I literally finished on a Friday and started on a Monday. I am now job hunting and receiving rejection emails for jobs I could do in my sleep. Every time I try and do something different it fails to materialise...
 
What career would you like?

I was made redundant in the pandemic, but picked up a fixed term contract which has now finished. I literally finished on a Friday and started on a Monday. I am now job hunting and receiving rejection emails for jobs I could do in my sleep. Every time I try and do something different it fails to materialise...

Sorry to hear Sabre, good luck with your next step, hope something comes your way ASAP.
 
What career would you like?

I was made redundant in the pandemic, but picked up a fixed term contract which has now finished. I literally finished on a Friday and started on a Monday. I am now job hunting and receiving rejection emails for jobs I could do in my sleep. Every time I try and do something different it fails to materialise...

Got my first rejection email today for a teaching assistant position. Have plenty of experience and more than suitably qualified for the role
 
One of those days where I just think "why bother" and just feel like giving up
Yep, I've felt like that before so I kind of know how you may be feeling but rather than looking at what's not going right in your life at the moment how about looking at all of the good things that are in your life and imagine how much worse you would feel if all of the good things were taken away........you must have good things, people, friend's, anything you hold dear, these are the things that will get you through, tomorrow's another day.
Count your blessings and be happy, don't give up!


Paul.
 
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