Stressed at work and not sure what to tell my manager

[JG75]

Hi all,

I'm an engineer and I've been doing the same job for a few years and mostly enjoy it, but this year I've been trained to work with different materials and completing different tasks to what I'm used to and I'm struggling to complete them now and I'm really stressed.

Previous managers have been aware of my mental health issues and HR are aware but I've been with my current manager for about a year and there has been no reason for him to know. I'd rather he didn't know but he's asked me to write out a list of what is stressing me and wants me to include both work and personal issues.

The company are supportive but there is still stigma associated with mental health and I feel like if I tell them then it may hamper any promotion opportunities and potentially they'll blame all my stress on stuff outside of work and not deal with the work issues.

Any ideas on how I can approach this?

 

[gealach]

Hi all,

I'm an engineer and I've been doing the same job for a few years and mostly enjoy it, but this ye...

IMHO if HR knows, your manager should be talking to them (with your permission). Also, the manager shouldn't be asking about stressors outside of work, at least not in any official capacity, and I would not volunteer that information. Asking you to document stressors that don't involve your work or workplace may violate some rules (in my workplace it would be a huge violation). The manager can and should ask about workplace stressors, as it's their job to help those under their authority to work as efficiently as possible.

 

[JG75]

Thanks BrokenEMT, I think I'm going to document the workplace stressors and see how they react to them and what can be done and if nothing improves then I'l go down the HR, occupational health route.