2007-08-17 00:24:19 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
I put almost 10 years into a job in a call center, and I had had enough. When they started telling us we were not allowed to use the word "they", and we had to put the customer on hold to sneeze or cough, I left the job. Now I'm doing hard work in construction, making more money, but I don't have benefits. What is your take on this situation, Dr. Phil?
2007-08-17 00:25:49 · update #1
I worked at call centers for about 4 or 5 years and it will suck the life out of you. One day, I woke up and got ready for work, was about to walk out the door, then I thought "I can't take that place anymore." I sat down on the couch and Office Space came on. I identified completely with the main character. I never even called to quit. My supervisor called me after a few days and I barely could contain my laughter as I told her nope, not coming back.
Should you feel guilty? No. Life's too short to be unhappy. You can do the construction thing as a temporary thing til you think of your next move, or look for a company or union that offers benefits.
2007-08-17 04:50:10 · answer #1 · answered by Sandy Sandals 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, was working for the help center working for you? Did you get more out of it than you put in? Was it a place you wanted to be? (Would Dr. Phil ask these questions?)
But seriously, I had a friend who worked for Verizon. He was literally taken out of work by the guys in the little white coats on a gurney (the men in the little white coats are mental hospital personnel). You owe nothing to those people. Honestly...what did they give you when you left? Are they pining away for you at your old job? I seriously doubt it. Use this job as a "chalk it up to experience" job and never work for this company again. Yeah, I know the benefits are good working for a company like this, but working for a company like this means you'll have to use the insurance they provide for mental health care. My friend sure did. He had to quit once he had his breakdown. Now the company doesn't take care of him, even though they and their policies were what caused it. They don't care about you. If they did, they never would have come up with so many rules it made it impossible to do your job.All they care about is "speed" and "quality" help desk responses to customer complaints.
You're much better off than you were there. You can't pay me enough money to work in a high-stress job. My health physically and mentally are worth a lot more than a job with "better benefits".
You're having second thoughts, and that is normal. Anytime you wonder, should I have left? Should I go back? Just remember: your sanity is worth more than any amount of money in the world and be thankful you now have a job you enjoy. I've never known anyone to say at the end of their life, "Well, I may have died at 40, but it was worth it for the benefits." Nope, they usually say, "I wish I'd taken time with my family. It's my only regret that I stayed with a company I hated and that expected more than any human could ever give."
2007-08-17 07:45:32 · answer #2 · answered by Serena 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you did the right thing by changing jobs. Construction work is hard physical labor but it can be a career with a future. Some construction companies do have health insurance and other benefits for their employees. You have some experience now so look around for a company with benefits. Sad to say but loyalty to a company is not in your best interests.
2007-08-18 10:18:53 · answer #3 · answered by Miz D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand what you went through as far as the call center is concerned, I also worked at one and followed the most absurd rules, I think the thing I hated the most was the cuque {Cue}, constantly going BONG BONG BONG BONG, with customers holding to speak with a rep! it drove me insane! I quit after 14 months of irrate customers and moved on, it is no picnic in a place like that. I got screamed at by customers so badly at times, once I even cried. Now I start a new job on monday with better hours, better pay, and hopefully less hassle! Thank you for sharing this, It made me realize I did the right thing too!
2007-08-17 07:33:03 · answer #4 · answered by Angelbaby7 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Are you happier? If you are, then you can live without the benefits for a while. I've worked in a call centre for seven years and I know how mind numbing and life-sucking it can be. Now that I got out, I feel much better, even though I work on contract and have no benefits. At least I don't have to deal with idiot customers and horrible management! Be lucky you got out! :)
2007-08-17 07:29:16 · answer #5 · answered by jaming_eye 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
well I'm not Dr Phil, but i think you did the right thing. I recently did the same thing without even having another job lined up. I just couldn't take it any more--I would get up in the morning with a knot in my stomach and come home after work and just sit here and cry. No job is worth THAT!!!!!
2007-08-17 07:31:22 · answer #6 · answered by bassetfreak 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Enough is enough. When your job is driving you absolutely nuts and you can't take it anymore, it is definitely time to move on. It is important to have good mental health. If you don't have benefits with a new job and you need medical benefits, you can get yourself an individual medical policy from an insurance company.
2007-08-17 07:47:30 · answer #7 · answered by Andee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are at a better place psychologically, nothing else matters.
Good luck and take care of you!
Dee
2007-08-17 09:37:11 · answer #8 · answered by Dee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. It's a job, not a relationship.
2007-08-17 07:30:38 · answer #9 · answered by Bill 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋