Tried posting this from a throwaway but it seems the account was too new. Trying again.
I work as a specimen processor in a large lab in my state. I've worked my way up over the past few years, learning all the different facets of the job, such as what specimens are suitable for which tests, canceling tests, contacting clients, and resolving complex issues regarding our clients and other departments. I used to really enjoy my job because I enjoyed how everything worked together and ultimately I enjoy healthcare because I know what I'm doing can help somebody get the results that they may need to save their life.
Sure, it can be a little stressful sometimes, but I used to think I thrived under stress and to be honest the money is pretty damn good, as we get raises for every new skillset that we learn. But things have begun changing with the reorganization of leadership.
For those of you that work in this field, or in healthcare in general, you may know that mandatory over time is sort of a given in certain times of year or during staff shortages. I'm not disputing that. But what's been happening in the past year or so has been absolutely insane and I think it's killing me and my co-workers.
We've begun losing a lot of the more long-time processors as they either move on with their lives or they do not get along with the new leadership. Unfortunately, the workload does not reflect this and that gets spread across more people, and not only that, but our sales team is so desperate for their commission that they keep signing on new clients even though we are not getting any new employees.
Just this past month we've signed on so many more new clients and the workload has exploded. What's gone from the occasional 1 to 2 hours overtime has now shot up to a daily 11 hours a day and we are definitely suffering for it. My supervisor who was appointed only in October keeps on telling us “we are a business first. Our goal is to make money. But the more revenue we make, the more people we can hire on.” As if that's how it works. What the hell do we care about how much money the company is making if we are only seeing that through overtime that is beating our asses and we are not getting any raises even though we are the ones who are subjected to training the new people?
I, like anyone else, have bills to pay so that's the main reason I've stuck it out for so long. But I honestly fear that this place will soon have a mass exodus and it will just fall apart at the seams. Really, this is more of a rant than anything else, but I really do hate that workplace that I used to really enjoy has just turned into this fucking sweatshop of a situation.
Thanks for reading.