My job is making me seriously ill & depressed. What can I do?

Question

I work as a part-time cleaner every Mon - Fri evening. I've been working in this place since April 2007. For the past 8 months, I really enjoyed working there as it offers excellent pay, it's a straight-forward job & because I am literally the only person in the entire building during my shifts (everyone else has finished & gone home), I'm my own boss & can get on with my work.

However, I strongly believe that my work is making me physically & mentally-ill. It came on gradually, but sure enough, I've grown literally sick of my job! My health has been badly effected. I've been feeling physically-sick & one night came close to vomiting. I have stomach-pains, I'm exhausted & have lost my motivation. When I arrive to work, I do the EXACT same things in the EXACT same order every single night, there are never any changes in everyday work like you get in most jobs. I always know what's going to happen.

To make things worse, I’ve been given extra tasks to do along with my normal work. Now, this wouldn’t be a problem if I didn’t have such very little time to work with. The stress of trying to get so many things done in such an impossible length of time has caused me a lot of stress! In the bottom-floor men’s toilets, the room absolutely reeks of the most God-awful smell as the water in the urinals never works, therefore the urine is never flushed away. The smell really hurts my stomach & my head. It’s so bad that I have to use a door-stop to keep the door open while I’m cleaning so fresh air comes in. However, just tonight, my strict manager scolded me about using door-stops & has taken them all away, making things very difficult as I sometimes need to hover & the plug-socket is located in another room on the other side of the door.

Every time I arrive to work, I feel a sudden urge to just get out of there as quickly as I possibly can. Here are my two main problems in my job...

A: I feel VERY lonely.

B: I feel VERY depressed & feel a strong, sudden urge to break down in tears (a few times, I actually did).

The reason loneliness is such a big problem for me is because I am sadly one of those people who doesn’t have any friends to hang out with. I have friends, but not ones that I’d consider close, nor friends in my own age-group. Therefore, I LOVE to socialise & be with other people (who doesn’t? I’m human. It’s in my nature to want to be with other people). I really need some help here, not just job-wise, but health-wise too. I’ve made the decision to get back into education as I most unfortunately never managed to do any exams, grades or highers in High School due to being a victim of bullying.

I’d like to get back into education to learn more things & to try to earn more Qualifications to give me a wider choice on careers. All I’ve ever done since leaving High School is either work in shops or be a cleaner. In the meantime, what should I do? Should I…

A: Request a sick-leave permission slip from my doctor requesting time off work to recuperate?

B: Ask my manager if she can employ another cleaner to work with me to take some stress off the many tasks needed to be done & to keep me company?

C: Request for extra work-time to get things done?

D: Seek a new job (preferably full-time) & leave my present job immediately?

Please, no rude & insulting answers. This is a big problem for me & I’d really appreciate some understanding, compassionate answers. Please don’t write to insult me only to earn yourself some extra Yahoo points. Thank you.

Answer 1

I feel the same way as you do - luckily I'm moving to return to college, so I see the light at the end of the tunnel!

It sounds like what you really want is support for leaving the job. You're a responsible person and therefore feel bad for leaving (1) what you know is secured (your financial stability) (2) if you're the only one there, they REALLY need you.

I would try to get the sick-leave from the doctor and talk with the manager about getting help for when you return. Then, while you have that time off --> LOOK FOR ANOTHER JOB.

That way, if you can't find one better, you still have your job & hopefully you'll have someone to share you duties, because you set that up with your manager. If you DO find a better job, then your position will be filled and so there won't be so much hard feelings with your manager.

So... (E) ALL OF THE ABOVE!! Request help, get some vacation/sick time off & look for a new job with the time you've aquired off!!

If nothing else - get an ipod/Zune whatever so you can listen to music or books on "tape." It will hopefully take your mind off of feeling lonely, but seriously, go with your instincts (another person said heart). If you want out - get out! Your happiness is the most important thing.

I recommend a book by Daniel Miller called "48 days to the work you love." It helps you break down what you enjoy in life & determine what field you want to go into - it's for any age 17 or 63 (although it's really aimed at those who've been in a career-job that makes them unhappy).

Answer 2

i can only say that i understand exactly how you fel. i will offer my personal opinion based off of my own experience and i hope it helps. i had the same experience with a job situation that made me unhappy and it wasnt until i began to follow my heart and my passion that anything changed. i know it may not be financially feasible to just up and quit, but if it is really an option for you, should really give it some thought.

if not, try looking for other work that would still support you financially and give you time to go back to school as you desire.

DONT EVER LET ANYONE STEAL YOUR DREAMS!!!

bullying may have stopped you the first time, but dont let it be the reason you never persue whatever you passion is. take some time to find out who you are. what do you like to do and what makes you happy. you dont always need a particular degree to go after and be successful at what your passion.

most of all take time to realize that we are special in our own way, no matter how many friends we do or dont have. the more you love yourself and get to know yourself, the more positive energy you will put out there and meet people like you.

be encouraged and be free to follow your heart!!

hope this helps.
:)
J

Answer 3

sounds to me like you need a break,talk with your manager and see what can be done to take some of the work load off, and if that don't work go to the doctor and tell him or her your problem and they be able to help,you could suffering form depression and again you could be needing another pace of work to cheer you up for you can enjoy yourself and your job you know,for if your disatified on your job then you don;t want to go and another thing is you just want to get in their and hurry to get out fast,well honey you need to do something fast okay before this turns into a disease you can't get out of.I wish you luck but seriously take a break and go to the doctor asap.

Answer 4

I was in the same situation as you back in July! I finally quit and i have been better ever since! i know what point your at and its NOT healthy! i got very depressed and it effected my relationship with my family, friends, and my boyfriend!

You need to find you something else that you would enjoy more! maybe something that interest you!

Answer 5

I'd find another job as fast as possible.

Answer 6

you should quit and find another job!