Work related stress and trauma

[Deepak_20]

Hi all,

I'm usually not the kind of guy who speaks out much. But due course of employment at this well engineering firm I have been subjected to heavy stress and trauma inducing work loads, manipulation to undermine my best performance even during the worst times.

It's not easy being an immigrant from outside Australia but I have went through the phase of education, part time manual labour to full time job in my profession I'm passionate about.

I recently joined this firm who are well known in the industry. Even though I was subjected to initial push to prove my skills. I have performed at high level to the heights of the company director being appreciative. 

With good performance comes competitive co workers who try to undermine me in all settings - work, social gatherings, etc.

Particularly one lady who tries the best to ridicule verbally and undermine me the most due to lack of her own ability which she has done repeatedly for employees of different colour and migrant skilled workers.

The manager at best hides in his office everytime a scene is about to transpire. 

The company promotes alcohol indulgence through weekly Friday drinks. Quarterly seasonal drinks. It's all just drinks themed events.

It's almost like the upper management just Heard's you like sheeps and cattles to milk your work and steal glory and any good satisfaction at what you performed especially from differently coloured individual at work.

If this is the common work culture at all companies. What is the point of working through to achieve our dreams as immigrant.

I have recently gained Australian Citizenship. But unfortunately not been able to gain the skin they admire the most at least at work.

This has put me under constant stress and anxiety. At this point I'm split between resignation / legal action / mental health diagnosis.

Any help and advice is appreciated.

Thanks for listening.

[Sophie_M]

Hi Guest_76482166,
Thanks for posting in the forums today. 
We can hear from your post that you've been going through an incredibly hard time. If you want to talk it through with our lovely counsellors, please call 1300 22 4636 or head to our webchat.
It's important to take care of yourself because we know working under heavy stress and trauma is hard. We encourage you to explore our resource Work and mental health - Beyond Blue - Beyond Blue regarding work and mental health. 
It is wonderful that you have been able to reach out for support here on the forums. You never know who might read this thread and feel less alone in their own experience.
Kind Regards,
Sophie M

[Croix]

Dear Deepak_20~

I'd like to join Sophie_M in welcoming you here to the Forum. It is a place where you will be treated wiht respect and where if you look around you will find others with  employment problems they have had to deal with , similarly wiht origin.

Obviously your current company is not a good one to work for, not just becuse of being alcohol oriented, but bemuse there is a culture of competition, dishonesty, stigma and a management that is incapable of doing anything about it.

You are a capable person, coming to a new country, working your way up from manual labor to a highly professional job - which you do well, plus gaining citizenship.

If the company does not treasure that then they realy are not worth working for. It is amazing how one person can spoil a culture, and you have been unlucky enough to strike that person, together with all the other company shortcomings.

Please do not think all companies are like that, I work for one who are supportive, receptive to ideas and have very high standards of interpersonal relationships. They give out chocolates to show appreciation, not alcohol, which is great -except for my waistline.:( They also treat persons from any origin or race exactly the same.

No employment should be so bad you never enjoy it, and should never treat you so badly  it affects your mental health.  It's not worth it.

While you can go down the path of official complaints to Fairwork Australia or similar, each complaint only really applies to one aspect of the problem and is very emotionally taxing to pursue.

Have you considered  looking out for employment with another firm, one with a better reputation?

While all this is going on do you have anyone to support you, family or a friend perhaps? Being able to lean on another can make a difference

What do you think?

Croix

[tranzcrybe]

"tall poppy syndrome" is a thing in Australia - those who stand above are to be cut down lest others have to make more effort. Your healthy aversion to drinking only adds fuel to the divisive opinions by not conforming with the 'work ethic'.
So I think firstly this may not be related to your ethnicity - you might be subconsciously piling that on yourself to compound your distress at not finding acceptance in this workplace, understandably.

The 'one lady' can be resolved with a simple recording of any demeaning comments in order to at least demand action from your hapless manager (or higher if necessary) - a reprimand on record usually quiets things down.

My advice is to always work to/within your own expectations, avoiding overexeting yourself only to seek approval as this will lead to burnout.
Develop your skills, build self confidence and reliance, and move on when the time feels right for you to expand your horizons.