Major Anxiety About Work

[FindingMyself88]

Work has been going terrible for me lately. I work at a Chick Fil A in the mall and used to love it. The Operator above me I trusted, she believes in me, promoted me to manager and has trained me. Things were going good, she knows about my PTSD and worked with me in ways that kept my anxiety low. Then going into the Holidays back in November, the director from our other sister store started coming over more and taking charge. First he took over the scheduling, now he is starting to work over with us more and is just stressing everybody out. I'm not saying our store was perfect, it has room for improvement (as does his), but he acts like we are all doing horribly! So between him and the busier holiday season, work has been stressful but it is reaching an all new high.

He is becoming extremely demanding and picky, which is causing us to have way more to do. Yet he is scheduling us with LESS people! Then yesterday I found out that the operator above me that I trust is quitting, tomorrow is her last day. She is tired of his bull****. Frankly, everyone is. But in the owner's eyes, he is perfect and does no wrong. My dr has been wanting me to quit, but I haven't been able to find anything else that will work with my school schedule. Before I found this out yesterday I was already planning to cut back hours once my parents moved up here and I moved in with them.

Then me and him had an argument this morning. I've been telling him I HAVE to be off on Tuesdays. I have my session with my T and then my group therapy both on Tuesdays. I simply cannot work on that day. Again, my operator "Q" knows, but I don't trust this guy to tell him why, although he keeps asking. Well this morning I reminded him and he said "I sent out an email stating no one could ask off anymore until the first of the year." I reminded him that we had discussed this BEFORE the email and that I had several doctors appointments as well. He again tried to make me tell him why I couldn't work Tuesdays. I told him it was personal and none of his business. Then he said well I don't have to give you that day off then. So I told him if he wanted to do that, I would get my Dr to write a note saying I cannot work Tuesdays, which she would GLADLY do. As is, she wants me to work less hours already, and I told him this. He got mad and was like "whatever".

I'm afraid everything is just going to get worse once he find out Q is quitting tomorrow (she is waiting to tell them because of some certain reasons). I need to work right now to pay for gas, rent, and food. But I don't know how much more I can take. I am already taking klonopin everyday before work..

 

[franciemarnie]

I don't blame you for feeling anxiety. Anyone would with that jerk working over you. I had to deal with people like that over the years and it can be really stressful. I was so glad you didn't tell him your business re: Tuesdays. He would not get it. And that you were so assertive. I wish I had been so assertive at work at your age. You did fantastic.

I hope they remove this guy. He is bad for business. You do a great job and no one wants to lose that. He should change his ways what with people quitting. Not that he will. Anyway I just wanted to say how much I admire how you are handling this.

 

[WillowMarie]

I am sorry about your new jerk boss. That sounds really stressful and I can see why you are having more anxiety! I also applaud you for being assertive, as well as not disclosing information you were not comfortable disclosing to him.

I can relate with having bosses with high/unrealistic expectations and the pressure to get everything done. I work in retail and I always see less hours/help, and more customer volume, but also the same/greater expectation to get the same amount of work done during holiday time.

It's hard because one of my triggers is getting yelled at/talked to in a stern voice. So I have also been as close to perfect as I can be at work to avoid this. But for some people, you are never good enough, or they think it is their job to push you more. You will figure out what is the best step for you. Sometimes if you have exhausted coping skills and feeling overloaded, there is nothing wrong putting in less hours or quitting. How long do you have until you are back with your parents?

 

[Notsowild]

@FindingMyself88... I understand job stress all too well! When I first got my PTSD my boss gave his notice. Now I have this new boss - her first managerial position. She thinks we do everything wrong- is trying to change everything. She'll even stand over you to make sure your doing things right:(

My friend works there and sucks up to her. That is not me - I know I'm a great worker so you either like me or not. So my boss and I have had many disagreements she has even written me up twice!!!

She has never liked that I have been working less because if my PTSD and seems to try and give me more anxiety. People tell me to quit BUT I've been there 6 years, it's good money and benefits

I try to stay quiet, do my job and go home So I can definetly commiserate with you!!!

 

[Rosa Draco]

Hi,

I hope that you don't mind a newbie coming in rather late to the post, but I just want to flag up that what you're experiencing with your new boss is bullying. As someone who is experiencing it, and has been for seven years of my life (which I'm struggling immensely to cope with), I can honestly say that when it comes to a bully, they will never change. I don't want to ramp up your anxiety, but you're correct in assuming that it won't get better. How you deal with it is a different matter. The blunt and honest recommendation that I would give would be to start looking for another job, because you're mental health is not worth the stress that working with this bully is and will put on it. It's not easy moving on (hence the reason I've put up with it for 7 years), but, again, you're mental health is more important then any job. Don't wait for him to understand you, don't try to convince him that you have rights, don't wait around for him to do meet his legal obligations, cause more then likely he doesn't understand he has legal obligations.

I don't want to cause more stress for you, and apologize if I have. You're not alone in what you are experiencing, You've shown incredible strength in confronting him.