How stressful is your job?

[zoebartlett]

Is your job stressful (whether you work at home or away)? If so, how do you handle the stress and what helps you out?

 

[elrohwen]

My last job was insanely stressful. I had a boss who ran me into the ground, in addition to traveling 70% and handling a huge project load. A lot of the stuff I worked on was a lose-lose situation for me too, because manufacturing hated doing anything new, while marketing wanted things to be as new and different and difficult as possible - so I got stuck in the middle trying to defend both sides to each other.

Honestly, at a certain point, nothing helped but leaving the job. It was just too awful. But while I was in it, I dealt with the stress while traveling by going out to dinner and having a good meal with lots of wine (at least the company was free about letting us eat where and what we wanted). Haha. Not exactly healthy, but it was all I had when I was miserable and alone. Food and wine helps me to relax.

My new job is stressful, but in the more typical sense. Plus, I'm still learning - learning is stressful because I have no idea what I'm doing and I hope I don't mess anything up, but at the same time it's not that stressful because I don't have as much work to do as everyone else. Normally, to destress, I spend time with friends, maybe have a happy hour, and spend a relaxing weekend at home with DH and the bunnies. Doing nothing (aka playing video games and reading a book) is very good at reducing my stress!

I've always been fairly good about leaving work at the office (at least leaving the stress), at least until my job got so horrible that I couldn't take it. However, my new job does involve working from home when necessary, so I think it will be harder to separate work from home when I'm actually doing work at home.

 

[diamondringlover]

I do work from home, but my job is very stressful, I just hate it...but I am not doing the job I was hired to do, I have been bailing out another area for about a year....and I am at my wits end, the stress is really starting to effect my life Wine helps my stress

 

[kenny]

Zero stress.
I adore my job.

 

[zoebartlett]

My job as a teacher is fairly stressful, and certain things like NCLB aren't helping. We're held accountable for every little thing. I love that I'm not teaching a grade level that does statewide assessments because that would make it much more stressful. The good thing is that no matter how hard of a year I'm having, there's always an end in sight once mid-late June rolls around. Summer vacation does wonders for my sanity.

 

[zoebartlett]

Elro -- wow, your former job sounds like it was a nightmare! I'm glad that your new job isn't as stressful in the same way.

Kenny -- zero stress?! What do you do?

Diamondrnglover -- I'm sorry you're not happy with your job. Can you look for something else?

 

[April20]

My job is unbelievably stressful. I'm traveling about 80% of the time, have a huge project load and end up working nearly 60 hrs a week most of the time. The pay doesn't match the job responsibilities either- too low by probably 30% and no bonus either. There's NO incentive to work at the level we need to work, yet we do it regardless. It's thankless most of the time- the more we do, the more people expect and heaven forbid we tell them "NO".

When I get really stressed out, I get on my treadmill and pound it out. If I'm home that is. Or in a hotel where I can get to the gym. Other than that, I just vent to my two co-workers. We're all in the same boat.

I hate to sound so pessimistic, but they only way I see it getting better is quitting. We're actually working towards me being able to quit by probably the end of October. I want mostly finish two projects and then I'm out. It's taking some pretty major sacrifices in order for me to be able to quit since I'm the major breadwinner, but I've HAD IT and am more than willing to drastically change our lifestyle to get out from the viscous cycle I'm in now. I mean, I got home at 10PM last night from a trip thanks to flight delays and I have to fly out again Monday morning. I'm going 4 out of 5 days next week. I was going to be gone all 5 but managed to cancel one thing. Ugh.

 

[elrohwen]

April, my heart broke reading your post. A year ago I was where you are and it's so so hard. I'm so glad you have a plan to get out and I hope you're able to find something you can do a bit closer to home. I know people who have spent 45 years traveling and love it, and I just don't understand that. After a few years I was so burnt out. Good luck to you!

Zoe, thanks! The people I work with seem pretty stressed, but I don't think I'll get up to that workload for at least a year or two because the learning curve is pretty steep and they started me out with something relatively easy. Eventually, though, it'll be a lot of work and I hope I'm able to do some of it at home (which is expected) without getting stressed out about it.

 

[diamondringlover]

Zero stress.
I adore my job.

Dang I am jealous, I really wish I could feel this way, you are a very lucky to love your job!!

 

[shihtzulover]

My first job was very stressful. I took the job because my supervisor was currently the only one in the department, but the company's client list had grown, and she was seriously overworked. She ended up giving me the worst client to work with, and they were constantly complaining. I was way overloaded by the standards set forth in our industry (I was never properly trained, I had over double the workload that someone in my position should have, plus I had other duties that most in my field do not), and they were not willing to hire more help. When something slipped through the cracks, I was the one who was blamed. When they became upset (pretty much constantly) my supervisor would simply promise that I would do more work to make them happy, even though I was already drowning.

I also really did not feel that my supervisor truly knew what she was doing. It was my first job in the field, so I was green, but she was so inconsistent (she contradicted herself a lot), and even with just my education, I knew that some of the things she was doing were wrong. I felt like I had to do things her way, because if not, she would be mad if the clients called and complained - but if we were to be audited, I would be responsible. She was my boss's wife, so I'm not totally sure that she was the best-qualified candidate. She also got special privileges, like taking very long smoke breaks (aka. spending little time actually working), and "working from home" on Fridays (but she was never available to consult with, because she was always out and obviously not working).

It got old very quickly. I became disgusted and left the job, and now I'm trying to decide whether or not I even want to be in that field. Luckily, I have an amazing FF who supported my decision to leave, and is now fine with whatever road I choose (whether it be staying in this field, getting into something new, or even staying home).

 

[Tuckins1]

Teaching can be stressful, especially when you have a student/students who are having trouble. When at work you are trying your hardest to teach them and make sure they are learning what they need to learn, and when at home you are thinking about lesson plans/grades/new strategies for teaching/parent issues.... The only time I feel de-stressed is during the summer. But around this time of year I start to feel stressed about going back.

 

[April20]

You know, I'd actually be more okay with my job if it paid more. I know that might sound lame, but if it paid more, I'd feel like the long hours and extensive travel would be the price I paid for that level of salary. I'd probably be less bitter as well if our boss actually knew how to support us in the job and didn't bonus off we WE do. It's infuriating to work your tail off so someone else can bonus. Especially when that person only travels about 30% of the time.

Off my soap box now. I've got an escape plan, so I'm happy. It involved renting out our house to cover the mortgage, but that's done. Now I just have to pack said house (tenants move in at the end of the month), get rid of a ton of junk and put the rest in storage. Oh, and find a place to live until we figure out what the heck we're doing next.

 

[zoebartlett]

April -- your job DOES sound really stressful. I'm glad you're able to move on from it in October. Just out of curiosity, do you know what you'd like to do afterwards or will you take some time to figure it out? I can sort of relate because I had so much stress in a job I had this past year, and I ended up leaving after only 3 months. It was horrible and I knew I had to get out and find a better fit, even though I had no idea if/when I'd find something else. Being THAT stressed out over a job isn't worth it, in my opinion. Do you think your boss would consider giving you a raise if you went to him/her with a list of all the things you do, how much time it takes, and what you bring to the company?

Shihtzulover -- good training is everything, isn't it? It bugs me so much when someone expects something of a person but then doesn't provide the proper training for it.

Tuckins -- I hear ya. I always get a little anxious around this time of year too. I'll be working with a new principal, and I'm not really sure what to expect. This is her second year at my school but because I wasn't there last year, I haven't worked with her before. I"m really happy to be returning to my old school, but I feel like the new kid again because there have been a few changes and things that were implemented last year that I'm not familiar with.

 

[April20]

Oh Zoe, we've tried to point out we're underpaid. When we talked to our boss last year, it was when they were hiring the 3rd person. When we brought it up, she said not to expect a big raise and that they'd gotten 60 resumes in one week for the job posting. It was absolutely a threat. We're replaceable in her mind. Lovely, huh? The kicker is most of the 60 resumes were JUNK and they hired the person that I brought to the table. We got a measly 2% raise. I think it worked out to $12 or something.

The most vocal one of us has told our director on numerous occassions that we're underpaid and overworked all to no avail.

Our plan is to go pursue some other personal goals in the next couple of years. Things that will give us satisfaction on a personal level. This job was a career shift for me- I needed to stay for long enough to parlay it into a similar position down the road and I feel like I've done that. Part of me can't believe I'd give up a job in my field in this economy given how hard they are to find, but I also know that in 2-3 years if I'm ready to go back to work, there will probably be more jobs than people. My industry is very cyclical and I've seen it peak and trough. It'll all work out in the end because I'm doing what I need to do for me.

 

[kenny]

Kenny -- zero stress?! What do you do?

Let's just say I make certain people happy in a way that very few can.

 

[artdecogirl]

Oh my Kenny! That sounds ... interesting. I have a high stress job that I like very much, I am a RN, I work ICU and medsurg, it is very stressfull but never boring, always changing and challenging me. I have found that the rewards of my job help to cancel out the stress of it although if I won the lottery I would not be one of those people saying they would continue working, I also have little to no stress in my life besides work.

 

[PrincessNatalie]

I have a great job.

My bosses are fantastic and I have heaps of input into my role and basically so long as I am busy and productive they are happy. I deal with about 150 clients and I am mates with all of them and so I get to chat with my mates and come up with new ideas all day. The company buys us lunch everyday too, which is really nice.

I live 3 mins drive from work so on top of earning a decent income I save on travel expenses and never have to wait in traffic or get on a bus or train - I often walk to work. We could probably even go down to one car if we wanted too

I am a sales admin at a security manufacturer in Australia.

I only ever experience stress that I put on myself, and I am pretty good at only putting positive pressure on myself.

 

[yssie]

I love it, but if I didn't I'd hate it. It goes in phases - when a project goes live I do nothing else for a week or two, then there's a total lull.

 

[FrekeChild]

Sometimes my job is incredibly stressful. Mostly because of my boss losing her $#!+. Otherwise my job CAN be very rewarding.

But getting paid hourly, with absolutely NO BENEFITS has lead me to looking for another job. Yeah, no benefits. No medical, no dental, no vision, no life insurance, no paid time off, no vacation time, no sick pay, no...wait I think thats it. Yeah, the money is ok for being right out of school, but the no benefits is a deal breaker for me. So I'm there until I find something else.

Oh, and my boss being ape-poop crazy doesn't help the no benefits thing.

ETA: What do I do to make it not as bad? Apply for other jobs. Plot my boss's demise (not really). Imagine what I'd do with a bajillion dollars (lots of jewelry!) etc.

 

[MissMina]

My job as a pediatric nurse working with kids with severe special needs was incredibly stressful.
I never really relaxed till I retired last year. But I found some respite in watching really silly
Japanese game shows like MXC (Available on Netflix).
Or the original Version of "Silent Library" in which students try to be quiet while performing
various humiliating stunts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpzWo8fF7I8

(I told you it was silly)

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

I must be really lucky. My workload has more than doubled in this past year compared to what it was when i started 4 years ago and i couldn't be happier.

If i am under any stress it is only from what crazy targets i put on myself to complete, but i enjoy the challenge and the larger workload doesnt last any more than 2 weeks at a time. I work part time and still do the workload of a full time examiner (plus more!) and my boss gives me heaps of flexiblity with my work hours so if i need to be home at certain times i can.

I work for a language study, i get to see twins, siblings and their parents whilst travelling around so i never have to spend every day in the office. It is my dream job and i really have no idea what i will do when the study ends in 2 years time.

If i do get stressed out at work, i think about how lucky i am to have my job with no formal qualifications (i work in the same roll as teachers, speech pathologists and psychologists and get paid equal/sometimes more than them) and with how the economic climate has been i'm lucky to be working at all. At the end of the day this job can't be forever (although i would love it to!) so i am making the most of it while i can.

 

[katamari]

The stress from my job comes from it never being done. I have projects and semesters that come and go, but there is no way I could possibly walk away from my office at the end of a productive week/month/year/decade and feel like I accomplished everything I needed to accomplish. I healthfully deal with it by trying to make realistic "to do" lists and basing my sense of accomplishment off those lists. I less healthfully deal with it by never taking real time off. I work, at least a couple hours a day, 7 days a week/52 weeks a year and I am thinking about work every moment I am not actually working at least somewhat. I love what I do, though. I think if I didn't, the demands would be far more stressful.

 

[Tuckins1]

My job as a pediatric nurse working with kids with severe special needs was incredibly stressful.
I never really relaxed till I retired last year. But I found some respite in watching really silly
Japanese game shows like MXC (Available on Netflix).
Or the original Version of "Silent Library" in which students try to be quiet while performing
various humiliating stunts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpzWo8fF7I8

(I told you it was silly)

MXC!!! I laugh my a%$ off everytime I watch it!
DH thinks its so stupid and wont watch it... But I still love it!

 

[Autumnovember]

Kenny -- zero stress?! What do you do?

Let's just say I make certain people happy in a way that very few can.

You have me really curious. Are you a stripper?

 

[kenny]

Kenny -- zero stress?! What do you do?

Let's just say I make certain people happy in a way that very few can.

You have me really curious. Are you a stripper?

One look at me and you'd see that profession would spell disaster for my diamond budget.

 

[packrat]

I've had stressful jobs-the last one was stressful b/c I didn't like it, not b/c of the people I worked w/-I really liked them a lot. I toughed it out for a year even tho I knew in the first couple days it wasn't for me, I just kept trying, thinking maybe I would grow to like it, but it didn't work. My first "real" job in high school, the manager I had at the end who caused it to be stressful used to scream and yell and wave her arms and one day bellered at me that I was (and this is an exact quote) "a mentally retarded escapee from the mental institution". I was 21, or 20, I can't remember, and I'd been working there since I was 16, doing a kick ass job might I add. Was too bad too b/c I loved that job. Wasn't glamorous by any means but I loved it. The other job that was stressful was another one that I totally loved what I did, but that one I couldn't stand the boss and his wife. I gave them the names Satan (her) and Oscar (him) and their kids were Princess and Scooter. 10 years ago and when I see the other employees now and again, we still refer to them by those names haha.

JD's job is waaaay more stressful than any I've ever had. It's really amazing the things a multi-million/billion dollar corporation can do that make absolutely NO sense and that screw up how things are run SO bad and then freak out b/c of the way things go b/c of those ridiculous decisions. (Like, "How's about we stick this fork in this here light socket?" BZZZZT OW "Well, whaddya know, I got zapped..huh..wonder why that happened. Must be somethin wrong w/the switch, I'll keep trying") How they stay in business I'll never know. It's to the point now JD comes home and tells me the latest and greatest decisions and we just stare at each other "What the..but..why would they..how in the..". And these are people with those new fangled higher edjumacashuns w/fancy book learnin and skoolin, not dumb blue collar hicks such as ourselves..so if WE can see things coming as a result of their decisions, why are THEY standing around scratching their heads and butts? Flabbergasted. Flummoxed. Stymied.

To alleviate JD's stress, he goes hunting/trapping/fishing. He messes w/stuff in his shop. I'm at home 6 days a week so I corral Thing 1 and Thing 2 as much as I can so he can do those things when he wants/needs to.

 

[Haven]

My job is not very stressful at all. I think it's because I ADORE what I do, so it doesn't ever feel like work to me.

When I taught high school I did feel stress based on one weekly meeting that I had with our superintendent, and that was because she was pressuring me to make very large decisions for the school that I knew would not result in implementing what would be best for the students. So, I quit.

Even then, though, I worked very hard and very long hours, but I wasn't exactly stressed out. I've had jobs that I didn't love, and I felt stress just from having to endure hours upon hours of doing busy little tasks that held little meaning or importance for me.

Now, I love to teach to so much that I do it as much as I can. On top of teaching high school full-time, I also taught 3 or 6 hours worth of evening classes at the community college all year, AND I taught in a gifted program for K-8 graders every Saturday, and still do. Now that I get to teach community college full-time I'll be teaching 3 or 6 hours of graduate courses at night (per week) and in the gifted program on Saturdays. I LOVE IT ALL! I sometimes feel a lot of pressure when the end of the term comes and I have a huge stack of work to go through to provide feedback, but it isn't a stressful situation for me. I'm always so eager to get back into the classroom, whichever classroom it is, that all of the prep work and research and feedback is something I really like to do.

DH thinks I'm nuts, but even with all of the extra hours that I teach per week, which is usually 10, I still always have a lot of time to do all of the other things I love, so it's not like it takes away from anything. I still get to volunteer, create things, have date nights with DH, run my book club (well, book clubS now!) go to outdoor concerts, art fairs, the CSO, the theatre, travel, etc. AND, I make a pretty significant amount of extra money just for doing more of what I love. Wins all around.

ETA: DH loves his job, too, and he doesn't feel like it's stressful at all. He works very hard, but he adores every minute of it. We both feel very lucky.

 

[random_thought]

I'm a girl who leads a team of all guys. I made the mistake of giving my cell phone # to them all and now I get phone calls all times of the day and night and on weekends as well. I recently had to send a company wide email out asking them to please only call during certain times but they all still do it. I now am forced to keep my phone turned off on the weekends. It's sad really. I work long hours and long days. And I get paid poorly...currently hunting for a new job, shhh! Don't tell my boss!!!

 

[marcy]

10 months of the year my job rates about a 6 on a scale of 1-10. On Thursday though during those 10 months it goes up to about an 8 and some days we peg out way past 10.

My poor husband though is often pegged out at 15. He used to be the most mellow person I ever met; it's a good thing.

 

[KimberlyH]

When I was teaching I found it a bit stressful as I was holding down three part time jobs that turned into one full time job and two part time jobs and the principal and I were at odds. The work itself wasn't stressful, but finding a way to work cooperatively with a person I felt didn't respect or trust me was very hard on my ego. As for unwinding, I would read a good book, have a glass of wine, go for a jog, visit with my husband, nothing exceptional, all things I normally do, but they helped me relax (I was tired!). I miss teaching very much, though, and look forward to returning to it in the future if my current job doesn't turn into something more permanent eventually.

Now I love every minute of my job. There's nothing stressful about it (I do behavioral consulting forparents of children with disabilities in their home). I get to set my schedule and choose the number of clients I maintain. I love my supervisor and my work is so fulfilling.