Advice about ongoing unpaid overtime and work stress

[mariole]

Hi, my friends! I'm up writing at 3:30 in the morning because I have a tension ball in my stomach and can't sleep. A wonderful situation at work turned on its head. Any advice regarding my mistakes and situation is very welcome. And listen, feel free to tell me what a jerk I've been, because I am not blameless in this mess I've made for myself. I'm

Comments

[fantasy_fan]

What would happen if you just did the minimum required for your job requirements? If they have proved they're not going to compensate you for maximum effort, what happens if you let all that go? If you take all your vacation (scheduled appropriately per their policies), work your hours but stop volunteering for extra, do the overtime when it's absolutely required but pass on responsibilities that aren't really yours, let the poor presentation stand and let the people who screwed it up take the blame, and basically stop being the "team player" who ends up the "team patsy"? This starts with a conversation with your boss about your exact job responsibilities, and a note from your doctor about the physical effects workplace stress is having on you. Your colleague ought to do the same, for his own good. Hiding it isn't helping anyone. This also gives your boss (indirect) notice of your plan to look out for yourself if nobody there is going to support your efforts. The days are gone where you gave loyalty to your company because you knew they were going to be loyal to you - what has replaced that outdated business model is a delicate balance between corporate goals and personal goals. It is not a career failure any more to leave a job and find another. I know that's easier said than done, but if an attitude adjustment is all that is needed, you might not have to change jobs at all. (I would also insist that the boss make the marketing people work with you on the front end of designing any new presentation, if they are going to have veto power at the back end. You can grin inside as you say, "I'm so sorry this is so much extra work for you, but we need your valuable advice now so that we can design an acceptable product." and "That suggestion about reworking the whole second half is a great one. I'll let you design all that part over the next two weeks, and when you're finished, just send it along to me for some final technical tweaking." Isn't there a fanfic out there somewhere about Frodo teaching Merry how to give an insincere apology?)

Take a couple of deep breaths. You are strong, and you will get through it.

[singeaddams]

Ditto all of Fantasy Fan's great advice. Document everything! Be on the look out for something better.

But the point I want to make is, standing up when the bitch stood up was an act of self-defense even if she is a small squirt. She's howling about your unprofessionalism and 'feeling threatened' as a misdirection from her own terrible behavior. Stop beating yourself up about it. You're a human being, not a cold, corporate machine.

Whatever you decide, whatever happens, you'll be fine!

[mariole]

You're quite right. I see now that this isn't the end of the world. It just felt that way!

Thanks for your kind words. It really helps. :)