Work and christmas

Sunshine · 18-12-2012, 10:46 PM

I'm really struggling at the moment because I normally work 12 hours a week but because I work in a busy clothes shop chain I have been given a lot more shifts in the past few weeks. This week I'm working 26 hours and next week (Xmas week) it's 29 hours. I have to work untill 6 Xmas eve and start at 9 Boxing Day. I know I should be happy for the extra hours but I find work so anxiety provoking that I feel sick before work everytime I go in and I just feel so stressed constantly and I know it's going to ruin Christmas Day for my family with me constantly thinking about work the next day.

I just feel really sad and depressed and stressed and feel like I'm going crazy without having to do so many hours standing up and having rude customers have a go at me or leave there clothes inside out or lying on the floor in the fitting room when I have a cue of customers waiting to go in!

I don't really know what I should do but I'm just so stressed and I'm too scared to ask my manager for less hours I am already having Thursday off because I'm physically unwell :(

Ash* · 19-12-2012, 05:31 PM

Ola!

I work in a high street department shop, so I know how busy it is at Christmas. I worked 16 hours yesterday!

Do work know that you struggle with anxiety?
What's your relationship like with your manager/supervisor?

The easiest and quickest thing to do would be to let someone know how you're feeling, and take some action. You will be expected to do some overtime during peak trade and you're going to be expected to work the busiest trading days of the year, but I'm sure your manager and supervisors won't want you getting upset about going into work, but they can't read your mind!

Maybe get all your shifts for the next couple of weeks and have a list of ones you want to do/ feel happy doing (your contract plus one or two extras?) and speak to some of the other people you work with and see if they'll cover them for you? And take them to your manager/ supervisor and ask if it's okay that they get changed.

I've been a sales advisor and a manager so I understand how frustrating it is for all involved, but I've also just gone back to work after being off for 6 months following a mini breakdown so I know how accommodating work can be, even retail!

Do you feel better once you're at work? Or does your anxiety continue when you are there?

I hope you get something sorted and feel better soon =]

X

Sunshine · 21-12-2012, 02:49 PM

Thanks for the reply I'm not sure why I get so anxious and it goes when I'm actually there and working its just the thought of it. I'm not that stressed any more because I have tonsilitus so I've been given untill Xmas day off by the doctor so I at least get Xmas eve with my family although I still have to be in for 9 Boxing Day. My manager was abit pissed off that I'm taking time off so I feel guilty but it does really hurt and almost starting crying on Monday I felt so bad at work. I'm also not getting paid sick leave which I'm not really sure why so that sucks.

Animad · 23-12-2012, 09:09 PM

You shouldn't feel guilty about having sick leave and i your contract says you should get sick pay then bring that up with your manager, maybe take the contract with you and then they'll have to pay it you by law. Really with tonsilitis, if they're being funny about it, I'd tell them that it is really contagious and therefore if you work with it it'd more than likely spread to the other members of staff (as well as the customers) and then they'd also need to take the time off so she shouldn't be having a go at you and really, with tonsilitis it is actually 2wks that you should have off (though if your doctor has said you can go back on x date then it'll be hard to fight against that with some employers.

GlitterTrashDoll · 28-12-2012, 01:19 AM

I completely understand how you feel - I work in a busy department store and work on Womenswear (so I too am dealing with the fitting room/tills and had to work Christmas Eve and Boxing Day too) and it was horrible, so I completely understand what it's like.

You don't have to do the extra hours though, you can say no. You only have to do the hours you are contracted to do (in your case, 12 hours). The extra hours on top of that are optional. Please don't put yourself under any extra pressure or force yourself into doing something you feel unable to do and it will make you feel ten times worse. I think if you can/feel able too - it would be wise just to explain how you are feeling to your manager and supervisor - they want their employees to be healthy and feel okay whilst at work, and is one of their main priorities. They won't be mad or anything - you and your health comes first.

Sunshine · 28-12-2012, 07:36 PM

I took the day off today to see my nan (she had a stroke and is in hospital) I was meant to be doing a 9 hour shift but after yesterday it was busier then boxing day and there were a lot less staff so I was very stressed and tired I had abit of a break down and ended up wandering the streets in my pjs at 9pm I still feel quiet unstable and unwell so I'm glad I had the day off I actually did see my nan aswell so I didn't lie! Before I was pregnant I ended up taking 3 months off due to mental illness but I have a new manger since after maternity leave so I'm not sure she is aware of my problems and I don't want that to happen again but after last night I can see that happening :(

GlitterTrashDoll · 29-12-2012, 02:40 AM

Yeah, our store was so much busier yesterday than Boxing Day! I think definitely talk to your manager so she/he knows how you feel and about your situation. Their employees health and safety is their main priority - so any problems or concerns you have, you should talk to your manager/supervisor about so they can help you in any way they can.

I hope you feel better soon.