Work fatigue

[rhuarc29]

The last few months have seen a pandemic of low- to medium-skilled labor and materials shortages in a lot of industries, but what I've noticed even more recently is now the upper management is calling it quits as well, because they simply can't handle the ridiculous juggling act of constantly firefighting late or nonexistent materials, whilst simultaneously trying to find employees to fill the numerous labor holes that have popped up. I run a small business that does a lot of work for a global conglomerate, and they just had their regional division head walk off the job. Such a position would normally require months and months of training to transition smoothly, but he simply walked off the job, citing that his mental health could no longer take it. I know how he feels; I've never seen such a stressful work environment as it is right now.

Wonder if you guys are seeing much of the same.

 

[Male4Strapon]

The last few months have seen a pandemic of low- to medium-skilled labor and materials shortages in a lot of industries, but what I've noticed even more recently is now the upper management is calling it quits as well, because they simply can't handle the ridiculous juggling act of constantly firefighting late or nonexistent materials, whilst simultaneously trying to find employees to fill the numerous labor holes that have popped up. I run a small business that does a lot of work for a global conglomerate, and they just had their regional division head walk off the job. Such a position would normally require months and months of training to transition smoothly, but he simply walked off the job, citing that his mental health could no longer take it. I know how he feels; I've never seen such a stressful work environment as it is right now.

Wonder if you guys are seeing much of the same.

Yes I have seen that as well. I think it was already headed this way but the pandemic just accelerated it.
For many the work day no longer ends at 5, it's become nearly on-call 24 hours. While that was somewhat true already for business owners and very top execs it is becoming the norm lower down the chain as well. I'm seeing more and more job burnout since the pandemic because that line of "don't bother staff at home" has been wiped out since so many had to work from home. There's no longer that respect for staff's own time.
I also think we'll see more leaders walk away rather than navigate how to handle unvaccinated staff. Who wants the headache of appeasing those who refuse the vaccine while also ensuring the safety of those who have been vaccinated....... not to mention their own exposure to the unvaxxed.
If top staff can afford to walk away from it, I think we will see this increase.

 

[james t kirk]

Yes, it's nuts out there now. Has been since March 2020 frankly. Glad to. Know I'm not alone.

It's to the point where I now select a task I need to work on and focus on it. I always used to pride myself on multi tasking and juggling, but it's not productive. If anyone doesn't like it, too fucking bad.

I also cannot answer all the emails I get, it's not possible. I figure if it's important, they can phone me.

It's either that or crack up. Oh and I'm off this week and my ringer is off, I'm at a lake I'm Northern Ontario and I'm not checking no matter what.

 

[Malibuk]

It is worse for many who lost their jobs or had their business shut down.
Some have blown their savings, home equity, and taken on debt just trying to survive.

Some who walk away from a good job may soon have far greater stress.

 

[y2kmark]

Yes, it's nuts out there now. Has been since March 2020 frankly. Glad to. Know I'm not alone.

It's to the point where I now select a task I need to work on and focus on it. I always used to pride myself on multi tasking and juggling, but it's not productive. If anyone doesn't like it, too fucking bad.

I also cannot answer all the emails I get, it's not possible. I figure if it's important, they can phone me.

It's either that or crack up. Oh and I'm off this week and my ringer is off, I'm at a lake I'm Northern Ontario and I'm not checking no matter what.

I always answer my e-mails before I get on TERB ...

 

[Robert Mugabe]

The last few months have seen a pandemic of low- to medium-skilled labor and materials shortages in a lot of industries, but what I've noticed even more recently is now the upper management is calling it quits as well, because they simply can't handle the ridiculous juggling act of constantly firefighting late or nonexistent materials, whilst simultaneously trying to find employees to fill the numerous labor holes that have popped up. I run a small business that does a lot of work for a global conglomerate, and they just had their regional division head walk off the job. Such a position would normally require months and months of training to transition smoothly, but he simply walked off the job, citing that his mental health could no longer take it. I know how he feels; I've never seen such a stressful work environment as it is right now.

Wonder if you guys are seeing much of the same.

Don't worry. China will take care of it. They're workin on it.

 

[Carvher]

As a production mgr. I am experiencing same thing. Our biggest customers are busy, we are having difficulty getting parts on time, I can't hire more people because of covid protocols, we are doing ot but there's only 7 days in a week and people need to rest. It's by far the most stressful time in the 30 years I have done this.
My way of coping is that I know I can afford to walk away so I just don't let it bother me. I give a customer a ridiculous lead time and they can take it or leave it, I don't give a fuck anymore. I don't know how many times over the last year that i think about packing it in. I just wanted to retire on my terms, not Covids.
But now I'm starting to realize that covid may yet win out, if there is another wave this fall, I don't know if I can keep working.

 

[rhuarc29]

As a production mgr. I am experiencing same thing. Our biggest customers are busy, we are having difficulty getting parts on time, I can't hire more people because of covid protocols, we are doing ot but there's only 7 days in a week and people need to rest. It's by far the most stressful time in the 30 years I have done this.
My way of coping is that I know I can afford to walk away so I just don't let it bother me. I give a customer a ridiculous lead time and they can take it or leave it, I don't give a fuck anymore. I don't know how many times over the last year that i think about packing it in. I just wanted to retire on my terms, not Covids.
But now I'm starting to realize that covid may yet win out, if there is another wave this fall, I don't know if I can keep working.

Yup, I feel the same way. Honestly, I would have seriously considered walking away already, but I'd feel responsible for everyone losing their jobs. Some have new families, new mortgages (which are ridiculous in today's real estate), new vehicles, and other obligations. We did a stint of 4 week's mandatory overtime, but I called an end to that. We're close enough to burnout as it is. At this point, we're about a week from shutting our customer down. Never had that in the history of our company. But tough luck to them, it's the times we live in. Already gave them the heads-up it's likely going to happen. The fact that we lasted until July without a single shortage showing to the customer is a miracle, and testament to long hours by both management and floor staff.

If we make it through this, I'm going to remember the ones who stuck by me.