Feelin' depressed about workload at job

**frugalandsimple** · 01-29-2006, 03:19 PM

People have made comments about how much work I do. Even the Night Manager said I'm doing too much work and you're being taken advantage of. Sometimes, I don't get all of my 3 breaks in because I'm too busy especailly around the holiday seasons and on weekends. This morning, I hurt my foot when I was working. It's sore but will be okay when I go back to work on Tuesday and yes, I did to to the Medical Station which is covered through work. I'm just mad, frustated and feeling depressed at the same time. My boss gave me a new responsibilities to do in the department and I'm getting my thoughts together & writing it down to let her know that the responsibilites that she gave is going to be too much for me. I don't know why I agreed to do the new responsibilites she offered me. One of my problems is I'm a people pleaser. I just need some advice on what to say to her. I'm a small, petite person and there's no way I can put a HUGE load of stuff away especially with boxes that are to heavy and big for me too lift. I also get stressed out easily when I see all the stuff that needs be put away. I also feel I'm not capable of doing the order-writing for the department because I have a tendency to miss thing when I'm reading and recording infomation since my vision isn't the greatest. I feel like a failure but I don't want to have nervous breakdown from being stressed out or have a heat attack at 50 (I'm 26)

**Katybird** · 01-29-2006, 04:40 PM

I am sorry that you are having so much stress at work. I think writing to your manager is a wonderful idea. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that everything works out.

**FrugalMomof3** · 01-29-2006, 05:18 PM

Jill,

I think writing that letter is a great idea, if your uncomfortable doing all that work you have to speak up.

God Bless and let us know how it goes.

~Tracy~

**Vannie** · 01-29-2006, 05:45 PM

Hi Jill,

I am sorry to hear of your workload problems. I have been there and it was very bad. Don't you dare feel like a failure. There is no need.

Not sure if you plan to write your manager or are just writing your thoughts. But, since she did not force you to take on the extra duty you need to be careful. My one suggestion is that you do not write or say it as a complaint "that you have too much work" because it may go in your permanent record. The next person may not understand and take it as a complaint and that is not what it is.

Maybe you could say something like. "Thank you for the opportunity to do --------. After accepting the additional assignment, I realized with everything else I do, (name each thing) I feel that I will not be able give it the full attention it needs. Also, with this added new task I am worried that some things won't be done as well as they should be." Just make it pertain to your own situation.

Unfortunately, whatever you do, you may not be relieved of any duties because you are obviously very good at what you do. People do tend to take advantage of a good worker, whether they mean to or not

Learn how to say no. I know that's a hard thing to do, but it is for your survival and health. Also, start taking your breaks at the time alloted, even if you don't take the full amount of time. People have probably become used to you not taking any time away from your post. Just get a way for a few minutes for a breather for all three of your breaks. I'll bet everyone else does.

o.k. true story. I was the magic lady in my office, just like you. Everyone including my VP who had a full staff, my manager, 9 attorneys and all of the secretaries (I was a secretary also) asked me questions because it was easier than checking the files. I was so stressed that I used to call my boyfriend during the day and cry. Finally, I decided to stop answering questions, instead I would say, "I'm not sure", "I don't remember", "check the Brown file", etc. Everyone was so used to me answering all the questions thrown at me that I was told that one of the sec's was concerned about me because she thought that I was developing Alzheimer's Disease.

**AmyBoz** · 01-29-2006, 07:46 PM

I don't have any advice, but

and I hope it gets better.

**homesteadmamma** · 01-29-2006, 07:50 PM

No advice either, just a

**Darlene** · 01-29-2006, 08:18 PM

Add my take care of you thoughts and hugs to the list.
For the most part you need to take your breaks or get paid for not taking them. (by law I think you have to take them but unions, state laws and who knows what else may dictate different)
Glad you are talking to your boss. Can't be all things to all people, somethings gotta give & it can't be your health and vitality.