about work before..

but I'm really struggling with being positive about everything that's goin on right now.

We've had 3 people leave in the last two months! 3 of them were all people who know our office, what's required for our office etc. The third had her last day today...she literally gave us 3 days notice that she was leaving We've put something out to hire another person, an office assistant, but it's going to take time and that pretty much doubles my work load that's already completely loaded.

Our new executive assistant said I'm holding up really well but everytime i leave the office my stomach feels awful and I dread everything. Our new CEO is upset with everything that's going on and feels it's just getting worse and isn't feeling too positive this week and it's affecting the office atmosphere. I know it's going to get better and things will be fine it's just so darn difficult right now.

I told my last remaining co worker who can do the job that's required that if he's going to leave to please give me lots of notice. I really don't think I could handle another person who can do some of what's required on the member services side which is part of what I do to leave too! It takes a good three months to bring a new person up to speed on the residential tenancy act (which is a HUGE part of what's required) and we now only have two people who know it. The volume of calls requires at least 3 most days.

I've never found myself this stressed at work before. I don't want to leave my job because I do love it but I do know it has to level out soon or I'll have to consider it.

I guess I'm just trying to get this out there hoping that writing/talking about it with people I respect and like who aren't immediately in the situation might give me some ideas to feel better about the whole thing/how to deal with it.

By Vicki on Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 08:36 pm:

I have so been where your at! I know it isn't fun! I finally had to just tell myself that I would do what I could and leave it there. Don't bring all that stress home with you! The WORST thing you can do is start killing yourself to get it all done. I have found that the more you do, the more that is expected of you! Just go to work, do what you can do and when you go home, forget about it until tomorrow when you get there again!

By Chai~latte on Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 09:47 pm:

Ugh, I have so been there done that! I feel your pain. I did quit but today I regret it. I loved my job, just not the pressure that came with it. I wish I would have found a way to work things out, I was on my way to a promotion which would have meant supervising a team. I feel like now if I were to go back I would have to almost start over.

It's tough to see the light when you are in the thick of things. Talk to your boss and see if you can work things out.

Question: Why are so many people leaving the company? Is it the environment?

If so, perhaps it is time for a change, another company doing the same thing?

Hugs, I know how much work can consume your life, but know that it is not your life, it is what you do in order to enjoy your life.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 10:27 pm:

Why exactly are so many people leaving? That is a pretty big turn over for a small office.

By Mlee on Thursday, January 3, 2008 - 10:36 pm:

I'm betting that some of the stomach ache is from the break-up of work relationships. Co-workers aren't exactly friends, they certainly aren't family, but they are people you are used to. That loss is at its worst right now, and it's going to get better over the next few days.
(Is the new CEO a replacement for one of the people who left? That's a big change.)

In terms of dealing with the volume of work, I hesitiate to ask but would it do any good (or even be possible) to get a temp who can at least answer the phone and say something like, "I'll have the only person who knows anything call you back as soon as she can." I was a volunteer receptionist for a non-profit, and whenever the going got rough, I TOLD people I was a volunteer. It made them very tolerant. Are volunteers a possibility?

I see from your Bio that your job is complex and that you usually like it. I'm sorry you're having a hard time. It must be extra hard because it sounds like you respond to people who call and ask for help, and you don't want to let them down. Like Vicki says, do what you can do when you're at work, and rest when you are at home. It will get done, just not all at once. (Can you and the new CEO bond by surviving this together?)

I hope you feel better soon. I hope a couple great new colleagues walk into your office tomorrow!