Hey fellow anti-workers. Just getting some things off my chest here:
I work a 4-on-4-off job (12 hour shifts) in a warehouse. I do picking and replenishment (putting stock away on the shelves in the picking aisles).
Up until August, we were just 8 hour shifts Monday to Friday. Since August we have been 12 hour shifts (4 on/4 off). I have still not adjusted to the change.
At this company, in this particular warehouse, we are micromanaged in the most extreme way. We have a supervisor or a team leader coming up to each of us almost every hour with our pick rate/targets (we have targets we must meet or even exceed every hour). The way they speak to us when we don't hit our targets is a disgrace, these supervisors have no people skills and they are real nasty bullies. We are constantly chased for our targets and threatened with losing our jobs or being disciplined if we don't hit our targets every hour or most of the time. I cannot go to the toilet when I feel I need to, because going to the toilet will put hitting my target at risk. I swear I have developed bowel issues as a result (I know that sounds funny, but honestly, I swear).
And the 12 hour shifts are so, so long in what is such a physically grueling job. I am exhausted. My body feels broken. My mind is so stressed and also depressed, because of the exhaustion and also the supervisors being so very hard on me for my targets. I cannot cope with this anymore. It's every day targets, targets, targets, targets.
To hit the target you must walk extremely fast or even run down those picking aisles. It gets hot, very hot. Sometimes I feel like I could fall over. After only the first hour of running around, and with 11 more hours to go, I feel like I am ready for my bed. I am constantly scared about the supervisor coming to me about my target.
Recently this physical and mental exhaustion and stress, and the resulting depression and anxiety this warehouse was causing me, has made me consider whether I should take my own life.
Guys, when will this culture change? What is it going to take? Is there anything we can do?
EDIT: I live in a small industrial town where there are no other opportunities other than warehouse and factory work.