New Job Is Killing Me - Advice Please?
@fallenrain132321 (341)
United States
December 29, 2007 1:19pm CST
Hi guys, I haven't been able to post or respond in awhile because of a new job that I have. I would really appreciate everyone's opinion please. I started this job so that I could bring in income for my family. My husband, he's had so many depression problems over the last year and a half and therefore unable to get or hold a job. His psychiatrist has deemed him temporarily disabled until they can get him the right kind of medication to help him. Until he gets better I've been the one that's had to work. I don't have a problem working. I like to work and it doesn't bother me because he does excellent at home with our children. He takes care of the house and the kids. It's always clean when I get home and dinner is always made. Problem that I'm having is this job is 7 days a week, 9 and 1/2 hours a day. I have to be in at 3:30pm and I don't get off until 1:00am. You only get three unpaid days off a year. You get holidays of course and they are paid but other than that you only get the 3 days a year. I'm always so tired and never get to see my kids. I'm running at least 40lbs. across a large room every 12 seconds so by the end of the night I'm extremely worn out. I need a break but since I haven't hit 45 days yet I can't ask for a day off yet. Would you guys keep this job or drop it and look for another one if you were me? I'm so unsure what to do. It's extremely cold in there. 32 degrees constantly because it's a bacon pakcing plant and so they have to keep it that cold. I have bad asthma and running across the room like that and those cold temperatures has me gasping for air. My dad said this job is going to kill me if I don't find another one. Not litterally kill me but physically and emotionally. My kids are very upset that they don't ever see me. Please guys, any advice would be very helpful. I don't know what to do. It's great money and the people out there are nice. But they severely frown down on you taking a day off. Well, thanks guys. Hopefully you can offer me something helpful. Hope you all had a Merry Christmas! And have a great New Year!
3 people like this
19 responses
@oneidmnster (1385)
• United States
29 Dec 07
What is your husband so depressed about that he can't work?He seems to be able to take care of the house and kids ok.We all get depressed.It doesn't mean we can't hold a job.No,offense,but it seems like a cop out to me.
You don't go in until 3:30,that's plenty of time during the day to look for another job.Good luck.
1 person likes this
@coffeeshot (3783)
• Australia
29 Dec 07
depression is a clinical disease. "We all get depressed"- no, we get down and upset and we think it's depression but it's not.
1 person likes this
@bstinson1989 (588)
• United States
29 Dec 07
Well, that is quite interesting. There are several things which one can do in order to combat the stresses of every day work. For one, what you can do is try to make sure that your time is correctly balanced. Sometimes when people feel as if their organization is "unorganization" they panic. Also, you must remember that a job is nothing that you have to do. You only do the job in order to make money and eat, and buy other kinds of things that can be "grown" in your back yard. My advice to you is use up some of your vacation days, and just take time to calm down. That would be best before you end up doing something crazy at your job.
@funfreak2k2 (1734)
• India
30 Dec 07
I think you should give up this job at least for sake of your health. Asthma is not a small problem that you neglect especially when you are working at that temperature.
Hope you will find a better job.
@Kowgirl (3490)
• United States
29 Dec 07
First I would look at the labor laws in your state . I have never heard of a place where you had to work 7 days a week and at that many hours per day. That is against the LAW...40 hours a week is all that is required. That my friend is the LAW in every state. You must be making a lot with all that overtime pay. That's why the pay is good it is a lot of time and a half pay. How much would it be if you didn't have any overtime? Yes, I would be looking for another job and ASAP. Your health comes first. What will you do if you get sick and can't work ,will they pay you then? I think not.
1 person likes this
@metathran_urza (28)
• Philippines
30 Dec 07
i have an aunt who once said that her family is her first priority. of course some might say that you should just quit your job and find a more flexible one and i think it's perfectly fine to do so, but of course this might mean that you'd have to squeeze up for a tighter budget...
@juber0 (21)
• United States
30 Dec 07
Look around for other opprunities. It is clear that the work hours are unhealthy for you. Im sure you get paid alot though. Look around for more job opprunities while you have this job. Also, see if you can work something out with your boss for different hours.
@Darkwing (21583)
•
30 Dec 07
This job, whether well-paid or not, is not the job to suit you and your family situation. Ok, your hubby does a fantastic job at home by the sounds of it, but you, yourself, have no family life, and not being able to have time off occasionally... with pay... is not good enough.
However, being in the situation that you are, I think I would advise you to hang in there as long as you can, whilst looking for another job. You need time with your kids at some point... you just can't go on like this. Also, you have to look at the scenario where one of your kids, or your hubby, God forbid, might get really sick, to the point where you need to be there for them. This wouldn't help in the job you're currently in. What could you do without facing the sack?
No... you don't need this job. Look for another but stay in this until you can safely step into a better, more family friendly one.
Brightest Blessings.
@illumina_foxz (125)
• Thailand
30 Dec 07
I think it really depends on you. Everyone has different needs, wants, opinions, and whatever stuff that each person thinks it balances their life. Personally, if I'm all by myself I don't think that kind of job may bother me but if I've got a family to take care of then.. well... hard to say. It will definitely lessen your time with the family thereby reducing the relationship and stability of your family life. But hey, judging from your situation, your husband can't work and you still have to earn a living. Is the job paying well? Do you need it? Maybe you might have to stick with it for the time being (temporarily) and you could move on doing something else later on when your financial status is stable or your husband's back in one piece.
@coffeeshot (3783)
• Australia
29 Dec 07
Of course you can't keep doing this. Those are long days and the cold isn't doing your health any favours. It will catch up with you and it won't be good when it does. I know you're always working but when you get home jump on the internet and search every single day for new jobs. Or even a couple of hours before you start your shift go to/ring around some business and explain your circumtances and see what they have to offer. You have to get out of there quickly because this is going to affect your health, your happiness and this will be evident to your children. They don't want to see their mum working her butt off 7 days a week. I sincerely hope you find a more suitable job. Keep us posted.
@CoffeeAnyone (3210)
• Canada
29 Dec 07
OH my gosh, yes of course you quit! Or you go to them and ask if they have a different position for you at the plant. Something warmer, 5 days a week and no more then 8 hours a day preferably when your children are at school if they are at that age. If not give your notice and move on really quick. Pray for God to give you the perfect job for you that interfers with your family the least.
@just2crazygirlz (2479)
• United States
30 Dec 07
o my goodness! And I thought my job was bad. LOL. I have to work 16 hours at a time a lot. I work 6 days then get 2 days off. It's really up to you to stay or not. You could try applying for other jobs and staying there until you find a new one. I would not quit without another income. I am a single mom and would be afraid that I wouldn't get a new job in enough time to pay the bills. Good luck.
@morphina (51)
• United States
30 Dec 07
If you are feeling like this job will kill you emotionally and mentally I would think its time to look for another job. Your mental health is not anything to mess with and if your husband is dealing with depression issues himself it will only make things worse if you are also having to deal with the same issues yourself. Have you looked into getting your husband on disablity? There are a few that you can get on, that will help you with your financial issues as well. I am not sure what the laws are in your state but I would think its something worth looking into
@bubblywriter (21)
• Canada
30 Dec 07
These working conditions are ridiculous. Definitely, look for another job, but if things are tight at home financially hold on to this one until another position is guaranteed. I realize job hunting and working these awful hours will stretch you to the max nevertheless it would be worth it in the end. You can not stay in a position which will affect your health and your ability to spend time with your family. Do you have any special talents you can turn into a stay at home job? That might be an even better option.
@janisspaggiari59 (656)
• United States
30 Dec 07
Drop off some resume's for other jobs before you go to work.Try to hang on to your job now if your health will allow it temporarily untill you get another one.Just consider this job you have now as a sacrifice that you have to do until you find another one.Looks like you have been keeping the family from sinking this long so far.You do need to find another job though because of your asthma.
@talisman (1300)
• United States
29 Dec 07
I really think you need to find another job. The way your job is set up doesn't even sound legal to me. I'd get started on finding a new job right away. Also, since your husband's pyschiatrist has deemed him unable to work, can't he get on disability until things are better with him again? If he can, I'm sure that that would really help things.
@snowflake5 (1579)
• United States
29 Dec 07
I would look for another job. There's bound to be something that pays at least as much and has fewer hours.
Is it possible that your husband can do some work from home, freelancing? There are freelance sites such as Guru and GetAFreelancer, where you can apply for virtual assistant jobs
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
29 Dec 07
I would look for a new job immediately!! I believe that your kids are more important than a job and I left a job that I made good money from just to be with my kids more.
Plus, I would say that your job conditions are not good for your health considering that you have asthma and that you work in a cold envionment. Get out of there!!
@iamom35 (70)
• United States
29 Dec 07
I would definitely be looking for another job. Those conditions are not suitable. That job is going to kill you. I can't believe that you have to work so many days straight!!! Everyone needs a break and they need to take care of their employees. Do they have a high turnaround? I would think that they do. Good luck!! Hope you can find something else cause family is important too!!
@terrigrace32887 (9)
• United States
29 Dec 07
I really feel for you and your husband. I've been battling depression for a year now, since a miscarriage a year ago. I don't work nearly as much as I should, I own my own business and sort of let things slide. Finally, the meds I'm on seem to be bringing up my spirits and energy. There were so many days when it was all I could do to just get out of bed. I'm so grateful that my husband took so much upon himself.
I'm sure he would have taken a job with the long hours and days that you have, it's amazing what he put up with for me. But you have to worry about what it will do to you. You obviously aren't happy with the job and you can't make yourself miserable for money. Definitely keep looking. And thank you for supporting your husband so beautifully.
