I'm deliberately keeping this vague in order to remain anonymous, but will try to include relevant information.
I work on a casual basis in an job which cannot be done remotely. My work weeks typically vary between 2-5 days and average around 3.
During the last few months of 2021 I was working extra hours/days (5 days every week). I coped better than I thought, but still felt as though I had no time/energy outside of work to do anything else.
My motivation at the time was that I would get a week off over Christmas/New Years.
My boss asked me to keep doing 5 days a week indefinitely late 2021, & because I felt as though I didn't have a legitimate reason to say no, I agreed.
The reason I have been working extra hours is because two of the staff (small team so this is nearly half the employees) are on maternity leave. In a month or so my boss will be on leave for 6-8 weeks too.
In all honesty I am kind of dreading going back to work, as it's mentally & physically hard work and 5 days a week is a lot of pressure for me. Especially with the extra responsibilities I will have this year, once I commence my training.
I am fortunate enough to actually like my job and the people I work with, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't make me exhausted and stressed being there what seems like 'every day'.
Is it normal to be exhausted on weekends? I don't have any medical conditions that I'm aware of which would impact my energy levels. I'm only in early 20s, I should be able to handle working full-time hours, shouldn't I?
Is it stress that's making me feel so tired all the time?
I have a lot going on in my personal life currently too, which obviously isn't helping. It's not things I feel comfortable discussing here or with my boss.
I don't know what to do. My boss is relying on me to do 5 days (which I agreed to) as there is currently no other staff available to fill my position. I don't know if I can do 5 day weeks long term though, and I don't know if it's better to mention this sooner or later.
I still want to work there, and complete the extra training I was going to start this year. I would just prefer to do 3 or 4 days weekly and maybe 5 here and there.
Sorry for the long post. Any advice is appreciated.
Should I try and talk to my boss about the possibility of doing less days in future?
If so, is it better to ask now or later?
Or is it better to try and stick it out and see how I go with 5 days a week and then discuss later if it's not working?
