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Employment Today™


"EMPLOYER'S OVERLOADING RESULTS IN MENTAL BREAKDOWN"

Dear Kathryn: My job has me so stressed, I'm at the nervous breakdown stage, ready to check into the nearest institute.

When my company went through a merge last year my duties doubled, my migraines quadrupled, hours increased, and my supervisory duties soared. I'm totally burnt out and can't figure out how to lessen my load. All of the managers at my company complain of the same work overload. None of us, however, manage this crushing burden.

Other than quitting and beginning a new career as a golf caddy, do you have any suggestions as to how we might deal with this sweatshop lifestyle? I really can't afford to quit with two kids in college.

JIM R., West Haven, CT

Dear Jim:

Whew! Just reading you letter has me tuckered out. Your situation is representative of what many managers experience as a result of their employer's push for a more efficient, productive work force.

Many of today's employers are forking out bigger salaries, thus demanding more for their dollars. They're expecting multi-tasking, cross training, and multi-hat wearing. If you're the manager, you best show you're the motivated role model who never needs a battery charge. Realistically, employers may get away with this overloading for awhile. Eventually, many employees throw up their hands crying "no more" as they value their mental and physical health more than the job.

A recent survey performed by JobTrak.com further supports this. Nearly 50% of the 1000 employees surveyed said less stress and less time working is their priority and they would happily give up more money in exchange for more free time.

An excellent book that actually provides realistic tools to cope in today's overloaded life is: Thriving in 24/7; Six Strategies for Taming the New World of Work by Sally Helgesen. This quick read actually shows you how to become partners in change with your employer. You'll also see examples of how to achieve equilibrium in your life to suit your individual needs as they change over time.

You might also join forces with other company managers facing this predicament. Identify some solutions to your overload problem. Then, approach upper management as a group with a written proposal for some load lightening reassignments. The good news is that recognizing burnout is the first step. Continue on-and good luck!

Dear Kathryn:

Please, settle a nasty argument about the tunes played here in our medium sized office. As we work in a wall-less environment, we don't have the option of playing four different types of music. We've got hard rock fans, country crooners and put-you-to-sleep easy listening music die hards where the only thing alive about the station is the commercials. The result has been our operations manager banning any music. We spend over ten hours a day here and all agree we'd like some tunes. Any suggestions?

SANDI, MICHAEL, TERRY & CAROLE

Dear Hungry music fans:

In addition to making your work day more enjoyable, studies show that music, along with certain scents, can actually improve one's energy and mood.

Seeing you all appreciate music of some sort, turn yourself into mini-programmers. Let each group select their favorite station for a few hours each day. One thing you all need to agree on is a reasonable volume level so as not to interfere with concentration and conversations.

The up-side to this arrangement is you'll broaden your music horizons. Maybe the die-hard Metallica fans eventually will not be repulsed when Garth Brooks starts crooning-but don't bet on it!