In a bit of a pickle at the minute. I started a new job in January, which I thought was my dream job, however have since spiralled downwards with depression and anxiety. I've had to be away from home a lot, which i struggle with, and the working hours are insane due to the competitive nature of the job, meaning most weeks since I've started have been 65 hours i've been out the door. I was told at the interview about flexi time and early finishes to suit, working from home, 37.5 hour weeks etc etc etc. I have always been anxious, and have learnt to deal with it, but really struggling at the minute with feeling down, to the point were I'm scared of what's going round the old noggin.
I've been offered another job with the civil service, which i've accepted, however just waiting on the background checks to come through. I've had a lot of jobs over the last few years, as I've lived in NZ, moved home, and have tried to settle, initially in Bristol, but now in Scotland, and I'm worried about there being problems which would mean, if I quit this job i'm at, before the other is confirmed 100%, it could leave me unemployed and starting from square 1 again.
I had a panic attack at work today and I seem to be spending my Saturday's feeling bad about the week just gone, and Sundays anxious about the next, whilst what little i have of my evenings are much the same. I've got a 1 week notice period at the minute.
Oh noble ones, in your experience, would me quitting now at this stage jeopardise the new job, as this is what I'm most worried about, but the other side of me is thinking that my current situation is unsustainable, anyway, so may as well just quit now.
WWSTD?
What timeframe are you looking at until the start of the Civil Service job? Can you not just do your standard contracted hours at the current job until then? I know how you must be feeling. I too have panic attacks and spend my weekends worrying about work. No other job in the pipeline though.
I would hope the new job comes along and take therapy/alert your GP.
Take it easy.
Left my job today and looking forward to new challenges.
For me depends on the time scale for the civil service job. A couple of weeks - hang on. Longer then quit
If they know your recent history and you've got the job, I don't THINK you need be particularly worried about leaving your current role ahead of time.
Id suggest that quitting now and the uncertainty wont help the anxiety.
Sounds like you need the mindset and ethic of someone that's quit and working notice without actually doing it just yet.
Or to put it another way, to remember that a job is there to fund your lifestyle not the the most important thing, and the yardstick by which you measure your self worth.
Tough this, the irony is the people that have this already quit mindset are quite successful imho.
Im with you btw in the anxiety filled overworked stressy category trying to remember that a work life balance is important....
No , Don;t quit just yet
If you can book some holiday dates to get some respite , a couple of fridays and mondays off giving a 4 day break and 3 working days
And / Or book some time leading up to Easter , might seem along way off but its not really
Try and get those out the house hours down ( alot) nothing to prove to anyone if you are halfway out the door already .
If the job interview stated <40hr weeks then thats what you do , there is more to life than money
Try the 7-11 breathing technique to stave off panic attacks , and plan stuff to do at weekends so you dont have time to stress and feel a sense of acheivemnt after eg- painting the lounge
Maybe take some TOIL and reduce your average down to the 37.5, he/week? Should get you some 3 or 4 day weeks.
My work have me working extra but are now refusing to pay it as overtime (they did to begin with) but there is too much for me to do (only person who can do my job) for me to take TOIL -they refused my request.... I'll get my time or money somehow
But the answer to the OP is yes. Never let your job mess with your health. They really need an HSE for folks' minds
Don’t quit. Work fewer extra hours. Look for a third job, just in case the new one falls through (or you might just find something even more suitable). Looking for a reserve job will help you feel better that you are definitely moving on, and less anxious that you haven’t handed in your notice yet.
Civil service job set to start hopefully within next month. I'm waiting on a police check to come back from NZ.
Basically no option to reduce hours without falling out with people and managers. I'm in probation period, and would rather resign than be forced out with 1 weeks notice.
Leave house at 7am, get to client at 9am, leave at 6pm, get home for 8pm. I've tried talking to my manager about working more locally,and told him about mental health, but been told it's due to staffing shortages and it's just the nature of the job. Can't take any holiday or TOIL for this reason too.
Yes, it's probably true I've got one foot in the door, which means I'm struggling to see anything in a positive light as I'm so certain I'm leaving soon.
Hard to advise as only you know what your are going through, but I've been in a similar-ish position
However if you can, hold on until you are completely certain the new job is in the bag
Whatever happens though, tell your current boss that you are struggling. Sounds too me like a pretty toxic culture in this company that could be taking its toll on others as well.
Leave home at 0800 , get to client at 1000 , leave client at 1600 , home for 1800
Its not your fault they do not have the staff , or management in place to cover holidays
What about an unforseen medical emergency for you or immediate family ?
Sound like bunch of chancers to me
Are other employees also banned from hoildays ?
I read a few of the replies and agree. Don’t quit yet. Quitting a job won’t help anxiety (I know this from first had experience).
if your new job is a different from the picture the employer painted, I would try not to worry about the competitive angle, do what you absolutely have to do and avoid the crazy hours.
go to the doctor and look for another job in case the civil service position falls through.
best wishes and good luck
Take a week off sick to reset your head. Then do what @singletrackmind said above. They can't fire you within a month - particularly for just doing the job they hired you for. Work to rule.
Civil Service jobs can take some time to complete all the checks. So, it’s a balance between.
- What’s more harmful to your mental health - job-related anxiety or income uncertainty?
- Can you afford not to work for a set period?
- Can you find some way to carry on receiving income? E.g. legitimately calling in sick.
Consider the above and then make a decision. I would say that no job is worth your mental health and also that starting a new role with negatively impacted mental health is not likely to be helpful...
My apologies if I have missed something but I think you should go to your doctor you may be able to get sick leave. I also think that your employer / manager sounds like they are bullying you.
Edit jamj74 has it right
Where in Scotland.
No advice on job situation but happy to drag you out for a distraction ride if that would help.
I warn you now though i have a rigid singlespeed there you need to occupy your time laughing at me and my lack of skill.
the working hours are insane due to the competitive nature of the job
What does this even mean? The working hours are insane due to them hiring insufficient staff, and that's not your monkey. You're planning to leave imminently anyway, why not work to rule?
Also, see a doctor, they might well sign you off. I had a job once which made me ill, it's not a process I'd be in a hurry to repeat.
Felt similar around Christmas. Ironically I'm a community psych nurse but was able to spot things early and deal with it with some time off, psychology and meds. Felt I was becoming a client and it's a horrible feeling but things got better. Strangely a colleague quit last week and not even working her notice period. Working flat out dealing with other people's dramas wears you out. Please go see your doc and talk to them. Talk to your family and talk to your friends. Honestly it helps. Had 2 panic attacks at work too which was a very odd experience! Not at all fun.
I feel your pain. I struggled with anxiety/depression for years - mostly work related. I suggest:
See a doctor.
Get as much exercise as you can. Swimming or gym if weather continues to prevent getting out on a bike. Apart from the endorphins this also helps restore perspective -there is more to life than work.
Make a decision - either quit now or choose to stay till you have confirmation of the civil service job. Uncertainty feeds your anxiety. It really helps to take control of the situation by making the decision.
Talk either to friends or family or on here or to a counsellor.
There is no magic bullet as you know and its about managing your anxiety.
Cut yourself some slack - some jobs are virtually undoable and your current one sounds like it might be.
All the best mate
Leave home at 0800 , get to client at 1000 , leave client at 1600 , home for 1800
Its not your fault they do not have the staff , or management in place to cover holidays
What about an unforseen medical emergency for you or immediate family ?
Sound like bunch of chancers to me
Are other employees also banned from hoildays ?
This. My MIL has recently quit her social services job after finally being tired of working 7 days a week whilst being paid for 5. 7 other people have quit two. Last week, they were told that 13 temps have been hired to cover the leavers and could they mentor them in the final week. 8 left, 13 replacements, in a council. What does that tell you.
Please take some of the advice given and take care of yourself first, and don't let your company's failure to employ enough people for the role fall on your shoulders to the detriment of your health. Think of this this way, they are ultimately getting some time for nothing at your detriment.
Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who commented on this post.
I quit the day after initially posting this, and took my notice period off sick.
I'm feeling much better now, and have started running and cycling again.
My new job started yesterday and references came through all fine in the end.
Anyone who may be reading this thread for the first time looking for advice: take the advice above from the kind folks who took time out to comment. Health is so much more important than anything, and I haven't for one second regretted quitting. I felt a massive weight lift as soon as I was on the train home that day, and I feel so ridiculous for letting it get that bad. Never again will I let a job do that to me. There is more to life than work.
Nice one!
Nice one! Great update.
You'd be surprised how many of us have been in this situation, it creeps up on you and by the time you realise you're too screwed up to take effective action. Well done, wished I'd taken more proactive action when I was in this position, respect to you (and good luck in the new role).
Brilliant
Great news, all the best with the new job.
You’d be surprised how many of us have been in this situation, it creeps up on you and by the time you realise you’re too screwed up to take effective action
^ that!
Well done.
Great news, especially in the current economic climate. Sounds like your old job would have been paused anyway as you wouldn't be able to travel.
