So my gf works at a fast food restaurant that is painfully understaffed. Her boss, let's call her M, decided it was a good idea to fire a bunch of employees for “having bad work ethic” before hiring any new ones. M said she would fix this, and so far has not. It's been months. Some employees are working over 60 hours a week.
Gf, who was previously working reasonable hours and shifts got the shaft and is now being overworked to the point that it affects her mental health. She's a morning person but working 4pm-2am. Usually one day off a week. It's so bad that I've texted her during shifts to talk her out of hurting herself more than once. She's depressed, tired every single day from overwork, and often gets called in on her days off.
Gf is a very kind and empathetic person, sometimes to her own detriment. She can't say no. She has a guilt problem. She has episodes when people are mad at her, and it's very difficult for her to put anyone before herself. Naturally, I feel like her coworkers use this to their advantage.
Just last week, she finally put in her two weeks notice. She lined up an interview at a better job just after the two weeks are up. This week, M tells her she “paid it no mind” and put her on the schedule past the two weeks anyways.
Gf is now grappling with guilt, because the restaurant will still be understaffed and she feels that she will be screwing people over. She says she feels bad because it could be worse and M has been nice and patient with her. I've told her she doesn't need to return after the next week is up, but I fear that she will get called in anyways and give in because that's the way she is.
I REALLY want my gf to leave the job that's making her want to harm herself.
I asked her if I could post this and will be showing her the comments. Do you have any words of advice/encouragement that will let her know that she can do this, and that she's making the right choice?