Burned out and not sure about next steps

[Swirlyshirley]

Hello

I've never posted online before so this is a bit terrifying.

I've been treated for depression/ anxiety/mood disorder for 18 years. Despite this I somehow find myself in senior management role in a small company. Over the last 5 years I've often been told to manage my work/life balance better.

Work is undergoing some major changes/uncertainties at the moment and there is a freeze on recruitment. My boss quit a few weeks ago, I've lost 3 team members and work keeps piling up. The new boss came to see me recently and said he was worried about my health. He wants me to work part-time hours (with reduced pay) and move into a different role with nobody reporting to me. I have no qualifications or experience working in such a role. I was completely blindsided. Turns out one of my staff had raised concerns about my stress levels. I told my boss that I didn't think it was fair for me to be financially worse off when it seems like a much better idea would be to help me manage my ridiculous workload better. He said he would think about it and it hasn't been discussed since.

In the interim, he asked me to extend the contract of one of my staff but early the next morning rang to say he'd changed his mind. Too late. I'd already told them. This is just one of many examples of him constantly shifting the goal posts. I have no idea what I should be doing anymore or what decisions I can and can't make. One minute he's completely hands off and the next he's cross that I've overstepped the mark. It's either complete radio silence when I email him about something or he's sending me weird shirty emails.

Yesterday morning he sent me a very curt email (cc'ing 2 of my colleagues) remonstrating me for doing something that I can only describe as a basic admin task that I have been doing for years. No explanation as to why. And that has just brought me undone.

I've recently started seeing a new psychiatrist and am on some new medication. I'm in a very dark place and am feeling extremely vulnerable.

So, my question is, does anyone know if I can be forced into a different, part-time role? I'm also thinking of taking some personal leave for a few days (weeks?) starting Monday and I'm not sure whether I should disclose that I'm having some mental health issues that have flared up due to stress. I will ask my psychiatrist for a medical certificate.

Apologies for such a long and rambling post. I'd be eternally grateful to hear from others who may have been in a similar situation.

[smallwolf]

Swirlyshirley,

Hello and welcome to beyond blue.

Apologies in advance if I do not answer your question.

I know if a couple of people who suffered from burnout and they quit/resigned their jobs to do something else. I am not suggesting this is what you should do, but it is always a possibility. As for being in a different role, that can be helpful, whether it is part-time is something you can decide. I might give you my story as a illustration. As for what it is worth, my psychologist and psychiatrist and family at different times have told me to resign as well.

My depression/anxiety is related to work stresses/pressures from work. Although I had been seeing a psychologist for a while, things took a downturn in Mar/Apr this year. I had suicidal thoughts, was put onto ADs, and .... The end result was that I was given a medical certificate, had a few weeks off work. (They even wanted my wife to watch over me.) During this time, with my psychologist and psychiatrist discussed work options. This included a slow transition back into work - start with 1/2 day, and when comfortable with that add another 1/2 day and so on. The other thing was recognizing what aspects of work was causing the stress. In my case, it was also a question of whether there were other role I could fulfill?

Fast forward to today... rather than being a team leader (software), I do more documentation these days and mentor the other programmers. And I will be switching to a contract type position (own hours) rather than full-time. Why? Other then being my choice, this time has shown me that my health and life is worth more than a job.

Of course there are other things we each have to take into consideration. And each person's story is different. I cannot tell you what you should do.

Finally, my work place did know about my mental health before the events described above. But they did not know how bad it could get until then. Nor did I.

One question, have you spoken with your psychiatrist about the work stresses?

All the best,

Tim

[Swirlyshirley]

Hi Tim

Thank you so much for your helpful reply. I agree that I need to consider resigning and looking for a different job. I intend to start this process immediately but will take my time and think carefully about what might be a good fit. Like you, work has always been a big part of my health issues. It just makes me sad that I'm a good manager but my employer won't do anything to help me stay healthy in the role. One of the reasons I've held on for so long is that I love my team and if I leave I worry how they will cope. Ha!!! How egotistical is that 🙂

There still may be a chance for me to return to my current role as long as they are willing to make reasonable adjustments. What I'm going to talk to a lawyer about today is whether I can be forced into a BS role that I am not qualified to do (I'm a scientist and they want me to do marketing and media!) and for which I will be paid less.

I'll post again once I've spoken to the lawyer.

[Swirlyshirley]

Sorry Tim, I also meant to add that I've only just started seeing my new psychiatrist and have mentioned that I'm worried about my job and that work stress has been a big problem all my life.