Refusing to do a task at work due to anxiety

[Brookesarah]

Hi guys,

I don't know if this is the right place to post this but thought it's worth a shot.

I work in reservations for a large hotel chain and I am employed as a long stay consultant which is perfect for me as it is mainly emailing and minimal phone calls. My boss has asked me to help in the centra reservations team where you take 80+ phone calls a day and you are consistently abused due to the terms and conditions and it makes me extremely anxious and uncomfortable and does pull me into a stage or depression. Like even when I received the email to say I would be doing this shift my heart instantly started pulpitating hard, I grew shaky, weak, unfocused and unable to sit still or breath properly. I have asked my boss to not be placed on this shift as it is not good for me and my mental health which I had informed her of earlier in the year. She told me that the team is short and we all need to help out where we can. She was not understanding and basically told me I have to do it even though I pretty much broke down in front of her and approaching her in the first place took all the courage I had.

Would any one know if I have a right to push back on this because even the thought gave me an anxiety attack? The job she is asking me to do is not apart of my contract and if it was I would not be working for the company.

I appreciate any advise you can offer as I am on the verge of not going to work and staying away from the situation. I hate feeling this way and I don't want to make my mental state worse that it already is.

[Wonder__woman]

Hi Brookesarah

I can absolutely identify with what you're going through.

Gosh.... if only I could find a job where emailing was the bulk of the position.... but back to your anxiety regarding new work expectations of answering phone calls.

Do you see a councillor.. or do you have an empathetic Dr who is aware of your anxiety ?? They could perhaps write up a letter to your employer about your condition and rights ??.

Its always helpful to have such professionals as help and a back up in just such situations.

I really empathize with you..

Your boss really doesn't seem to be open to or educated on the issues and impact of mental health

Perhaps even an email to your boss of what you are suffering and your willingness to cover other areas in the workplace you'd be willing to do ?.

Hope this helps somewhat.

[Brookesarah]

Hi Wonder??woman ,

Thank you for your response!

I have been to a couple of doctors, one who wanted me to do some online quiz thing and wasn't at all interested in hearing me out. Even though I scored high in anxiety and she responds with 'oh you are high.. I don't think you would be that high'... hmm ok that makes me feel great!! And another doctor who has provided me with a natural remedy which is taking the ease but can be knocked back very easy when I am put in a difficult situation and he also wants me to get my thyroid checked as it may have something to do with how I am feeling.

I am have spoken to higher management on the situation who is offered full support and has encouraged me to approach her again, which I did and she pushed training again and advised it really isn't that bad!

I have offered to cover other areas of the business and assist where required.

At this stage not a whole lot of progress has been made.

[Croix]

Dear Brookesarah~

You sound in a very difficult situation. Obviously the company you work for is only interested in getting whatever they need from employees and are focused in that direction. Even the higher management you talked to, while appearing sympathetic, was not prepared to go to bat for you with your supervisor.

Setups like that central reservations do place great stress on the staff in them and I'd expect their turnover and wastage would be high - so management will always be trying for replacements.

I guess there are some things in life that are the most important, and health is one of them. While that is true, it is not that simple for you I guess. If you quit you will be on the unemployment treadmill and you may find the job/application/interview merry-go-round causes you the same level of stress. There you would not have the fall-back position of quitting.

Perhaps seeing if you can get medical support properly organized might be a short-term goal. If the doctors you have seen are lack-luster keep trying. It is not easy finding the correct health professionals and can take multiple tries and perseverance.

In passing I do believe that a thyroid condition can be associated with depression, so getting that checked out sounds sensible.

While you have talked about job and doctors, you have not said anything about your own circumstances. Do you have anyone to support you? Perhaps a family member or friend? Being able to say how you feel and talk things over with someone who cares makes a world of difference.

You asked if you should push back, well I'm afraid you are the best person to know both the company's likely reaction and also the toll it will take on you. Going to FairWork Ombudsman is of course something to try, however I'm not sure of the time taken or possible outcome.

We would very much like you to tell us how you are going

Croix