I called in sick because I am stressed by my job

[alice202]

Yesterday was monday morning. I wasn't in an off mood when I started but by noon I was exhausted. I do computer support, and a lot of people are stressed when they call in. Somehow I absorb some of that stress. So there's that.

At one point my supervisor wanted to talk about the way I handled something so there was a confrontation. He ended up telling me I need to do a better job covering my ass. Not that I did anything wrong.

We are rated on the number of tickets we close. But sometimes there are no instructions for what you need to do and you can spend a long time hunting for what you need. More stress.

Some customers are just inappropriate. They are angry about something they can't control. I'm on the front line so they let it out with me. More stress.

By noon yesterday I told my supervisor I wasn't feeling well. I just wanted to get away from the job. I called in sick today. I'm not sick, just stressed out by the job. I dare not call in sick tomorrow.

I am looking for a new job, but its very hard to look when you're on the phone 40 hours a week. I don't want to get fired or laid off, but I am having a really hard time with this. I hate hate hate my job and I don't want it any more.

I feel like crap.

 

[may71]

That's awful, I'm sorry that you're going through this.

I think it's tough to deal with the public in any situation, and especially hard when you are dealing with angry, frustrated customers.

I hope things can get better soon.

Hugs

 

[Jezah81]

Yesterday was monday morning. I wasn't in an off mood when I started but by noon I was exhausted. I do computer support, and a lot of people are stressed when they call in. Somehow I absorb some of that stress. So there's that.

At one point my supervisor wanted to talk about the way I handled something so there was a confrontation. He ended up telling me I need to do a better job covering my ass. Not that I did anything wrong.

We are rated on the number of tickets we close. But sometimes there are no instructions for what you need to do and you can spend a long time hunting for what you need. More stress.

Some customers are just inappropriate. They are angry about something they can't control. I'm on the front line so they let it out with me. More stress.

By noon yesterday I told my supervisor I wasn't feeling well. I just wanted to get away from the job. I called in sick today. I'm not sick, just stressed out by the job. I dare not call in sick tomorrow.

I am looking for a new job, but its very hard to look when you're on the phone 40 hours a week. I don't want to get fired or laid off, but I am having a really hard time with this. I hate hate hate my job and I don't want it any more.

I feel like crap.

I can relate to hating your job. I'm in the same boat, getting old with my painful arthritic feet, I'm not sure how much longer I can keep working in my industry..... hope you're able to overcome your struggles

 

[jxdama]

Phone jobs can be stressful. hopefully you will find something better.

 

[BarryW]

I almost called in today so I hear ya.

I agree that some problems require longer to resolve. Some just have a long process even if you do know it. And when it comes to computers there are always going to be problems that you or your teammates have never run into before.

I am not sure if you have been there long enough to have anyone listen to your suggestions, but if anyone gets on your case about ticket counts, and you feel yours are lower due to frequently getting 'weird' requests, perhaps you can ask your manager whether the ticket count tracking can be broken up into groups rather than one lump count. For instance, for the issues that are the most common and can be easily resolved, that can be one category. And maybe one or two other buckets for different difficulties. That way a teammate who by chance gets 50 easy tasks and 10 tough callers in a day won't look more productive than someone with 30 tough tasks. Not all tickets are equal. Your manager should know that.

Another defense you can bring up is regarding how well the problem is solved. Solving a problem the fastest might mean that it isn't solved as well and the customer calls in again to get a follow up fix. Does your company track metrics on customers calling in repeatedly about the same problem? It could be that you are properly solving problems and some coworkers blasting through callers are leaving a mess for others to clean up later. Case in point, today I called a former utility company to talk with them for the fourth time about the same issue which I was already promised three times, by a different person each time, that it would be taken care of, starting back in January, but it hasn't been resolved yet.

You mentioned that you are looking for other work. I really hope that you can find a better fit soon, or your current job improves so that you don't suffer as much. But I totally get what you say that it's tough to search for work while working full time. Especially something so draining for you. Sending you strength to keep searching ~~

 

[Waves]

I almost called in today so I hear ya.

I agree that some problems require longer to resolve. Some just have a long process even if you do know it. And when it comes to computers there are always going to be problems that you or your teammates have never run into before.

I am not sure if you have been there long enough to have anyone listen to your suggestions, but if anyone gets on your case about ticket counts, and you feel yours are lower due to frequently getting 'weird' requests, perhaps you can ask your manager whether the ticket count tracking can be broken up into groups rather than one lump count. For instance, for the issues that are the most common and can be easily resolved, that can be one category. And maybe one or two other buckets for different difficulties. That way a teammate who by chance gets 50 easy tasks and 10 tough callers in a day won't look more productive than someone with 30 tough tasks. Not all tickets are equal. Your manager should know that.

Another defense you can bring up is regarding how well the problem is solved. Solving a problem the fastest might mean that it isn't solved as well and the customer calls in again to get a follow up fix. Does your company track metrics on customers calling in repeatedly about the same problem? It could be that you are properly solving problems and some coworkers blasting through callers are leaving a mess for others to clean up later. Case in point, today I called a former utility company to talk with them for the fourth time about the same issue which I was already promised three times, by a different person each time, that it would be taken care of, starting back in January, but it hasn't been resolved yet.

You mentioned that you are looking for other work. I really hope that you can find a better fit soon, or your current job improves so that you don't suffer as much. But I totally get what you say that it's tough to search for work while working full time. Especially something so draining for you. Sending you strength to keep searching ~~

 

[BarryW]

@Waves were you trying to say something? Wondering if your reply got lost or messed up with the big quote. Hope you are doing well.