Current job triggering depression

[Chestburster]

Hi all,

I changed job recently and have struggled with the new job, due to the following:

- Constantly long hours (50 hours/week vs 38 hours stated on contract). I actually accepted the contract due to the stated hours because I was seeking for work-life balance as I need to look after a family member with disability.

- Lack of control over problems I get blamed for. Problems are caused by other teams or system issues that are beyond my scope/authority to change, but there's expectation for myself to always get it right. This results in working overtime to resolve issues created elsewhere.

- At times, incomplete communication or last-minute instruction change, meaning I could be working for certain tasks for days just to have to redo them all over again.

I've communicated above issues to my line manager, but this trend still continues, as my employer is very disorganised and slow to improve (for example, a critical project could be delayed for 10 years due to mismanagement).

The pay is decent, but it's repeatedly triggering my depression and anxiety. I dread going to work every morning and have to cover up my unhappiness during my interaction with collegues.

I barely have the mindspace and free time to do job hunt after getting home from work, so I usually do it on weekends only.

I've been tempted to quit without having anything lined up, but I'm concious employers prefer to recruit someone still employed. I did quit a job earlier in my career and found another job three months later, but at my current level of seniority, the competition is more intense, so I prefer to not risk it if possible.

I know that I need to toughen up and continue to search for a new job. It's just at times (like right now), I feel overwhelmed and I'm too ashamed to being opened about my depression.

I wonder if other members here have been in the same situation and what did you do to manage it.

[White_Rose]

Dear Chestburster

Hello and welcome to the forum. It's good to welcome you here.

I think there will be others on this forum who can relate to your story. Unfortunately it's a common happening. It's also sad as your employer, and other employers, could make a huge difference in their turnaround time for projects which would lead to more orders and very definitely make the work life of employees less stressful. Companies who who work on good communication with staff are the ones who retain staff and pay less in Workers Compensation insurance.But they need to work this out for themselves.

Please do not beat yourself up by saying you need to toughen up. You gained that job by being effective in your old job. I think it is unrealistic to expect an employee to change personalities because they now work for a different company. Long work hours lead to mistakes and accidents. This is not something you need in your life.

What would happen if you left work at the nominated time? I take it as given that you have worked for the number of hours required and produced good quality work.Do you think your manager would insist you remain until the job was finished? I think if you worked the hours required and turned in quality results there could be no adverse comment. Mistakes made by others are surely not your responsibility to correct before you go home.

May I suggest you keep a record of your hours and responsibilities. Note when mistakes by others have caused you to rework a particular job. If your manager says you are not working long enough hours or cannot complete projects on time you will be able to produce your evidence. I know it sounds like a lot of work but I think once you include in your routine it will be less onerous.

I hope my comments are helpful.

Mary

[baet123]

Hey Chestburster,

Welcome to the forums and thanks for posting. It is great to have you hear and you will find these forums as an extremely warm, helpful and supportive place which I know you will find beneficial. It takes extremely bravery, strength and courage to share your situation with us and my hats off to you!

I will add more to this post when I get home after work tonight but honestly, your own well-being both physically and emotionally is the most important thing and is way more important than your job. They say that employment and your occupation plays a major role in one's happiness and this is absolutely and unequivocally the case. Nothing and I mean nothing is worth ever sacrificing your emotional well-being for and yeah the pay in your case is decent, but if it is detrimental to your emotional well-being then you may need to reassess your situation.

Of course, it is much easier said than done. Leaving your job and the possibility of financial stress and the stresses arising from financial uncertainty are absolutely important factors when assessing your current situation but your happiness is too important to be jeopardised as a result of your employment.

Hope this helps and all the best mate.

Nick.

[SHELBY MUSTANG]

Hey Chestburster I was in your situation 2 years ago ( check out my post in April 2017) and just up and quit my job after 10 years. I took 15 months off and called it a mini retirement I was lucky that I had saved up a years salary to live off and lived frugally.

I have returned to a mind numbing corporate role where I have no training and under enormous stress but this time I am taking it one day at a time to see if I can ride it out. For me finding a job was very difficult so I don’t want to throw it in yet as I didn’t enjoy being one of many fish in the job pool.

So with your situation if you are going leave make sure you have enough saved to get you throw the period of not working otherwise see if you can turn things around in your mind and switch off completely away from work. Maybe the company will change via restructure or takeover.

Hang in there whatever you decide.