Work Stress-How to deal with this? Help!

DebDeb · Post by **DebDeb** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:34 am

I need some advice on how to deal with an office
of chaos.

I am SUPPOSE to be a manager/supervisor.
so keep this in mind and here's the scenario;

One girl is out on disability- so I am doing
part of her job

One girl has jury duty this week so I am doing
part of her job.

There are 2 new girls who haven't been trained
to 'cover' for the other girls when they are out
yet.

We just had a major computer problem too.

One new girl takes a day off every week and when
I tried to delegate something to her she said
she 'didn't have any time'

MY work is backed up, I came into the office
in a good mood until one girls says to me' WHEN
ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE ME MY PAPERS SO I CAN FILE
THEM"???????!!!!!!!! UH HELLO??? I am BACKED up and can only do what I can!!!!!!

After she said that I felt my anxiety kick in and now I am in a BAD mood and SICK AND TIRED of
this place.
I recommended a temp but they are too cheap to
get one/blah blah blah.
Vacations are coming up; I am already expected to DO another girls work next week!!!!!!

SO As long as I am FILLING in for everyone EVERYTHING is FINE AND DANDY????
Oh and God forbid if the boss would pitch in!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:54 am

I hear what you're saying. I'm not in anything like this personally, but my sister-in-law is. She runs a major filling station and has to deal with what you've explained on a daily basis. So I hear often about what she has to deal with. She works 60-80 hours a week. To me personally, it's just not worth it. I could never do anything like that again. I used to before I had kids, but now I have realized for myself that life os too short and precious to be so filled up with chaos and responsibilty like that. At this time in my life I have a simple part time job, and raise my 2 little ones who are at home yet, we have a small farm and I like to ride my horse and grow a garden each year and spend time outdoors, at church and with the family as much as posible. What an adjustment this was for me. I was a busy body and we had money. Now I have time to spare and we are just making it financially. I'm not all all suggesting that anyone else should do this, unless they want to. It's kinda how Lucinda puts it, "enjoying the simple things in life". When the kids go off to school, I will get a day job. But nothing too demanding or stressfull. And definetely nothing that I have to bring home with me.
Anyway, I guess the only thing I can suggest is to read Shad Helmstetter's 'What to Say When You Talk To Yourself'. Thats' a good book.
Try to say "whatever" to these situations more and decide that they will only bother you on a work level, not personal level. Finally, talk with your superior about aleaviating some of your work load or try to pass some of it around to some of the other workers? I'm not sure exactly what you do so I can only offer so much. Lastly, if this kind of work is going to stay this way and you decide that you just can't do it, or don't want to, look for something else with less stress. Good Luck to you-

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 3:51 am

Thank you for the advice.

I already talked to my boss and he dismissed the
idea of a temp to help fill in & he is under the
assumption that the girl out on disability is coming back in June. We all think she will be out
for a longer time.

I just don't think it's fair that I am the only one who can cover for these girls & be expected to do my work on top of it.
Next week is a very busy week for me and then on top of it I am 'covering' AGAIN. This is so frustrating but I will try to remain calm and have patience.

The two new girls are useless. My boss isn't a very assertive one, he doesn't believe in getting his hands 'dirty' so to speak. I am being overworked but I will try to remain calm and not
get angry at this situation because it just makes my anxiety worse.

I am going to look into buying the book you recommended. & yes life is too short to be in
Chaos in a daily basis.

Thank You Again

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:30 am

I work in an IT department for a large health care company in New Jersey. We have around 10000 employees and my job is Crazy. I have two words of advise "slow down", as long as you're taking care of everything they won't care. They are playing on your being a responsible person and most people with anxiety are. That's why we have anxiety. Again, Slow Down but make sure any work you do is correct and quality. I've had to learn this but it's hard, you want to fix everything and do a GREAT job when most people are happy with only doing a sub standard job but they don't get anxiety because they don't care. You need to protect yourself or you'll be out on diasability trying to recooperate. Take control of your impulse to dive in and fix everything and only work on things you can fix. Maybe you can delegate so they can see the problems with the other employees. Slow down, take a lunch!!! Make sure you take what is legally yours like a lunch break. Make yourself take one and don't eat at your desk, try to go out even if it's just to your car.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 5:01 am

Deb- I was just curious- Have you told your boss that it is physically impossible for you to cover for all the people who are absent and that if and when you do, the expected amount of work may not get done due to this? If he thinks you are capable of doing 5 people's work he's not going to worry about it, but if you told him it won't get done his attention to this problem may suddenly reappear.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:54 am

Who do you manage/supervise? I would think whoever that is would be at the top of the list to help you cover for the others. How about having a short meeting with these folks, get a feel for their workload and perhaps go from there and choose someone to assist you. There's probably some tasks they are doing which can be put on the back burner for now so you can get help. If you have authority over someone, don't be afraid to use it in a considerate manner, meaning you're polite but firm.

Tell yourself you are doing the best you can, keep doing what you can, and don't allow negative thoughts to enter into your head. There's probably no one trying to take advantage, it's just a tough situation. Don't assume the worst about the situation. Keep cool and keep truckin'.