What would you do??
Currently in a management position, have great flexibility when needed for family needs but work in a pretty crappy environment where I am not sure that I can fix what needs fixing without “cleaning house”. Some staff are quite rude to clients, each other, other professionals within the business and definitely don’t take feedback from anyone without passive aggressive responses. I work long hours and am contacted whenever by multiple staff members so that’s late evening, early morning ect. My mental health is suffering because of the stress.
I have been offered another position worth the same financially, less stress but less flexibility. There is a team beside, above and below me. Would the less flexibility be a deal breaker for you?
Genuinely interested in hearing others thoughts on this as I am really confused as to what I should do?
3 Replies
If you can survive without flexibility then go for it. The current work environment won't be doing you any favours if it becomes well known for being an unprofessional business while you're in a management position, I would get out of there. Curious to know why the staff members responsible don't get any disciplinary action like warnings?
Due to the type of business, it is very difficult to recruit at the moment. Like I mentioned above, I would love to “clean house” and terminate over half of the staff but it’s not the right time to do it.
Right now, the business is damned if I do and damned if I don’t.
It’s toxic and stressful, so stressful.
When one on one discussions are had, team meetings and other reminders about attitude are given, they just think that because sometimes their interactions are hard, that they can do what they want because as bad as they are, the business can’t let them go right now.
Whichever way you go- make boundaries between yourself & work for after hours when your not actually at work.
Like:
‘I will be contactable strictly between 7am-6pm only, outside those hours do not expect a reply’
(Purely an example…you’d make your own times depending on your needs. But be firm about it & stick to it otherwise work just starts trickling into personal hours until it takes over)
I had to do this in an old job…as nice & apologetic as my colleagues were when they would message or call me between 6pm-6am..it got to the point where they started always doing it constantly & I was still doing work (rosters, leave, sorting issues etc) at home when I was meant to be..just that- at home…relaxing. It affected my whole home life because of the interruptions everyday. At first I thought I had to be super flexible & show I could be contactable anytime for any troubles. But there’s gotta be a limit…gotta be balance somewhere for yourself.