I think one of the most jarring issues in this hellscape is the lack of mental health support. I am currently three months out from losing my father to a NASTY battle with jaw cancer. I returned to work about 6 weeks ago, and it's been super unsteady. I have doctors documentation giving me a flexible work schedule until the end of August but I'm worried I won't be well by then. I have days where I manage ok, and then I fall back into a hole and can barely function. I feel I would be able to go into work if I had certain supports, but they seem to be happier to keep me home. My anxiety is at full blast and things like
-My manager overestimulating me by narrating every single thing she does all day and needing to talk to me personally, constantly
-Listening to her extensively go through her medical history (this has become super triggering for me and I'm so ashamed of it) and her emotionally dumping on me about her problems
-having to be “on” socially all the time (doing my job is fine, it's pretending to care what every single coworker did this weekend)
-nosy coworkers texting me when I'm not at work asking why when I have documentation and it's between my manager and I
-all my emotions being on full display
-having to be the only one that has to ask to use the washroom
-I have a do not disturb sign for when I'm doing tasks but my manager completely ignores it and it to talk to me about personal stuff
I most of the time feel like I'm about to burst into tears or yell at someone. My manager ignores all my need for space and will keep pecking at me. There are bad boundaries and I feel like I am a friend to her. She talks to me in a baby voice, lays her head on my desk and whines, she started hugging me out of nowhere. I am pretty much emotionally and mentally drowning and I wish we could be appointed representatives that advocate for what we need to do our job.
End rant.