Workplace triggers

[Sabrina1993]

Sorry for how long this Is, just having some workplace issues triggering my PTSD and I was hoping for some advice from those who may relate. I took a call centre job 3 months ago after having a lot of trouble finding work. I was prepared for abuse from people we're calling but hadn't prepared myself for the treatment from the supervisors. We have a very high target rate that I struggle to meet due to my submissive/non-confrontational personality. We get yelled at constantly by our main supervisor, she swears at us and calls us idiots and dumbasses, and hits the back of our chairs to scrare us if we're underperforming.. She has also stated that nothing gives her more joy than writing up breaches, so she's constantly on the lookout for small mistakes we may make. My anxiety is at an all time high, and I'm finding that constant feeling of anticipating that I'm going to get in trouble is triggering terrible feelings from my childhood. I get into a horrible cycle of panicking that I haven't got enough people, then sounded increasingly panicked on the phone and gradually doing worse and worse which makes me more panicked- by the end of the shift i'm a nervous wreck. I've been applying for tons of jobs but have had no luck and I don't want to quit without something else to go to, especially because the job market in my city is terrible at the moment. On the other hand I also don't want to have a nervous breakdown or emotional flashback and i'm concerned I definitely will. I just don't know what to do.

[Neil_1]

Hi there Sabrina,

Welcome to Beyond Blue and I really thank you for providing your post.

This has me extremely concerned for you straight away with all you’ve written, but also on the other hand, very enraged by the straight up bullying tactics of your supervisor. I thought that instances of that kind of behaviour in the workplace were gone, back in the 70’s & ‘80’s.

But there’s nothing more to it than out and out bullying.

Do other staff feel the same way – are they receiving the same kinds of horrible treatment? Whether this is yes or no, I do hope you can document down each time something like this happens – get it down in a journal. Would you feel comfortable going above the supervisor to complain? I realise you may not feel confident or comfortable enough to do this, but perhaps if you had others with you … the old safety in numbers thing.

I would think there would be somewhere where you can take this too, but I’m sorry, that escapes me at the moment – but I’m sure you’ll receive other responses and someone may be able to provide you with better options of where to take this? This seriously should not be tolerated and let happen.

That is a great way of thinking also for not wanting to give this job away till you find another one … I full understand that. In the meantime, I really do hope that you’re able to find another job and get away from this, but for this to be raised at a higher or different level.

I hope I’ve said something at least a bit helpful.

Kind regards

Neil

[geoff]

hello Sabrina, I have to agree with Neil regarding your situation, it's a very unpleasant place to work at, maybe contact 'Australian Human Rights Commission' where you can fill out a complaint online, otherwise 'Fair Work Discrimination/Ombudmen' these may take you to other sites.
What has happened is that it has now caused you to have some form of MI, whether it's depression and/or anxiety or both as these two are really joined together, in other words, if one happens then the other isn't far behind.
Please let us know what actually happens. Geoff.

[BlackNBlue]

Have you considered talking to the union which covers your industry?

Back when I was bullied at work the unions were not as supportive as they are now.

[cray]

unfortunately this is becoming more common in the workplace as companies become more americanized, its not personell department its now human resources (humans are a resource... dehumanization at its finest)

it also becomes more prevalent as industries become more cut throat to survive and unemployment rises (i've heard the term "churn em and burn em" when a former supervisor referred to causal staff.

i was recently bullied out of a job i was very good at and enjoyed by a power tripping supervisor who was also abusive to his wife and kids.,
they even thought it ok to spike food in the fridge to get back at people, i caught someone red handed. supervisor actually endorsed the behaviour. then it happened to me 😞

it all came to light when i went on stress leave, was backed up by other witness.. and guess what. i can no longer return to my job - but the supervisor is still there.

document names, dates, places, what was said. make a history of it. report it to your doctor and mention that your stressed from abuse at work. if you ever do suffer stress leave you'll at least have a history documented and a doctor who will also back you up that it's been on going.

unfortunately the best thing to do is leave before it gets to you like it did me. anyone on stress leave will actually experience a form of intimidation from their employer and the workcover insurer since they are costly claims.

my experience tells me you're either going on stress leave due to bullying, or you'll have to find new employment. things rarely get better unless others are willing to stand up and be counted in "naming and shaming" your supervisor.
most people will prefer to pretend it doesnt happen and avoid the elephant in the room as they dont want to be involved. but these supervisors always end up finding new targets, one day it might be them.