My work is making me ill

The work I do is causing me significant stress and anxiety because of workload and other people I work with. My job is in retail, I work in the warehouse taking in deliveries and it’s quite time consuming. I had to take occupational health advice to change my role within the company since I worked on the shop floor and was constantly bombarded with noise, fluctuations of people in large groups coming through the door, personal space being invaded, noise of people talking, rustling packets of veg, door alarms, beeps of self scans, and it all became overwhelming. Now I have to deal with outside noise from loud motorbikes and cars, music playing too loud in the warehouse, the alarm for people at the gate as well as the female voice announcing there is someone there, constantly changing environments with pallets and mobile units. I cannot afford to not go into work, I’m constantly looking for other work but at present I’m still unsuccessful. 

I’m at a loss and do not know what to do now as I only work 3 days a week, which is all I can deal with. My car is broken and no matter how many attempts to fix it myself, it comes back with the same problems. I’m surviving on free food to cut costs to allow me to fuel my car so I can get to work. 

I’m a long term sufferer of depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies and have autism spectrum disorder. Antidepressants are only helping to the point of keeping me rational enough for work, but work is having an impact on my mental health also. As such I have been unable to move up the ladder as planned a few times within my 11 year career in the industry. I am easily overwhelmed and as such my time away from work is limited and I’m barely able to function. My suicidal thoughts have returned, I feel trapped and unable to focus.

I used to do so much, I had a hobby in music and film production, car maintenance and modification, photography, digital media, gardening, creative construction, woodwork, home design and many others that have now been laid on the back bench because I just cannot function enough to get through the brain fog I’m constantly faced with. 

If someone else can give me any advice to get out of this job and into the next, websites for autistic employment etc, I would be grateful. 

I am on a waiting list to for therapy in May. So that is covered. 

Parents
  • Have you tried ear defenders/noise cancelling headphones? Have you asked for the music to be less loud as an accommodation for your needs? Also maybe don't assume work is the whole cause and get your health checked out - could you have long covid or thyroid problems or a range of other things the gp might be able to check? Although of course actually getting that done is an executive function nightmare...

  • I’ve had tests done for thyroid as well as many other things and everything came back negative, apart from a vitamin D deficiency. Unfortunately no one is aloud headphones because of it being a risk for health and safety to fire alarms. I just want out of my job yet I’m trapped with low income and not being able to pay for training or another education. 

    today I had an anxiety attack in work. Was speaking to my OH and he said to push through, but to be honest I don’t know how much more pushing through I can take. 

  • I'm sure you could make a legal case that with your hypersensitivity there is no way you could miss a fire alarm even with headphones on. And they are also legally obligated to make adjustments you need to function like either turning down their volumes or allowing you headphones.

    Pushing through is a recipe for burnout and getting sick as your body will shut down to protect you from this toxic environment.

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  • I'm sure you could make a legal case that with your hypersensitivity there is no way you could miss a fire alarm even with headphones on. And they are also legally obligated to make adjustments you need to function like either turning down their volumes or allowing you headphones.

    Pushing through is a recipe for burnout and getting sick as your body will shut down to protect you from this toxic environment.

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