Job is making me sick, but I can't retire yet

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Xanthe

New Member
I'm months away from retirement and receiving Social Security benefits, but my job (low-level management) has become a nightmare. Two people recently quit, and now the workload is over the top and the company has a hiring freeze. I'm the kind of person who can handle tight deadlines and large workloads, but it has gotten out of hand. I regularly get emails from my boss telling me that this [huge project] needs to be done NOW! Yes, he uses all-caps. He even tells me I can't leave my desk until it's done, so I eat lunch while I work 8 straight hours and only leave the desk for very fast bathroom breaks.

The stress is making me sick. There's no one above that I can report him to and quitting is not an option for financial reasons. I can retire in about 8 months, but each day is torture and I don't know how I can make it that far, mentally and physically. I don't even enjoy weekends anymore because I'm so stressed about Mondays.

I'm just venting, but if anyone has been in a similar situation, I'd love to know how they handled it. Or just get some sympathy and support. Thanks.
 

I know job stress is awful but you have job security for the next 8 months. Just do as best as you can, what are they going to do if you can't keep up with the heavy workload, fire you?? probably not, they need you. Just do as best as you can, you are only 1 person. Just keep all your email communication between you and the boss. Try to alleviate your stress on the weekends. 8 months will be here before you know it.
 
Wow, but I've seen this and even lived through it. Just not at your age, which may have made it easier to grit my teeth and live through a couple of these death marches.

This can cause you health issues and even family or relationship issues. Partners are often less sympathetic than one might hope, and can pile on more stress.

The last 10 years that I was working, that sort of thing became more frequent. As soon as my age and financial incentives to bail out and retire aligned I took the leap.
 
You are definitely being taken advantage of. Because you showed your boss that you are able to do it and will do it, he now expects this of you. You need to take your regular breaks for your own mental health. Working at your desk through lunch break is a no-no. Find some excuse to be elsewhere at that time if you can. Honestly, I sincerely wish you the best in this situation but always remember, take care of yourself.
 
Xanthe said:
I'm months away from retirement and receiving Social Security benefits, but my job (low-level management) has become a nightmare. Two people recently quit, and now the workload is over the top and the company has a hiring freeze. I'm the kind of person who can handle tight deadlines and large workloads, but it has gotten out of hand. I regularly get emails from my boss telling me that this [huge project] needs to be done NOW! Yes, he uses all-caps. He even tells me I can't leave my desk until it's done, so I eat lunch while I work 8 straight hours and only leave the desk for very fast bathroom breaks.

The stress is making me sick. There's no one above that I can report him to and quitting is not an option for financial reasons. I can retire in about 8 months, but each day is torture and I don't know how I can make it that far, mentally and physically. I don't even enjoy weekends anymore because I'm so stressed about Mondays.

I'm just venting, but if anyone has been in a similar situation, I'd love to know how they handled it. Or just get some sympathy and support. Thanks.
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Based on your description, it seems that the company is trying to force you to quit in order for them to save money. This is so common. It’s sad. I was lured away from my job too early. Please don’t allow that to happen to you. It’s just a scam. Document everything. Save the emails received from your boss and other management. Explain to your boss calmly that you are handling the projects efficiently, just as you have done in the past. You are not a robot so you can’t be expected to work 24/7 on anything. Your health is priority. Take a few deep breaths, step outside in the sunshine for a few minutes and finish the job at your own pace.

If he threatens to fire you after all of that, you have all the documentation you need to prove your case to an employment lawyer. They are well aware of age discrimination and employer benefit savings tactics.
 
Xanthe said:
I'm months away from retirement and receiving Social Security benefits, but my job (low-level management) has become a nightmare. Two people recently quit, and now the workload is over the top and the company has a hiring freeze. I'm the kind of person who can handle tight deadlines and large workloads, but it has gotten out of hand. I regularly get emails from my boss telling me that this [huge project] needs to be done NOW! Yes, he uses all-caps. He even tells me I can't leave my desk until it's done, so I eat lunch while I work 8 straight hours and only leave the desk for very fast bathroom breaks.
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Are you months away from being full retirement age or months away from the earliest start age for Social Security? Do you have to work the remaining months to get pension, stock vesting, or other benefits?

If you are trying to make it to full retirement age, it might be just as well to retire and start SS early, you'd maybe get $22 dollars less per month, but you could spend the next 8 months working at any easy low pay job and make enough to compensate for that for the rest of your life.

I retired several months early and I don't regret it at all.

I'm sorry your job has turned bad, but the silver lining is that you won't regret retiring.

Sometimes watching Veronica is a good humor release:
 
It's probably of little consultation but the job is likely making your boss sick as well, that's why he's stressed and demanding. I speak from experience.

I can't offer much more than compassion for your situation. Once you choose a retirement date it just can't arrive soon enough, the work days seem longer and longer. While you still want to do a good job keep in mind every day of work your responsibility lessens. Sure they want that project done NOW! But how much harm can they do to you if it doesn't get done? Will they fire you? Probably not, especially if they're short staffed. Will it hinder your career? Affect future promotions or salary increases? I think not😉

You are in a position of personal power but you just don't realize it. You don't have to be insubordinate but you can simply fulfill reasonable expectations and not feel guilty about going home with a task unfinished. If the boss gets in your business you just shrug and say you're doing the best you can.
 
Xanthe said:
I'm months away from retirement and receiving Social Security benefits, but my job (low-level management) has become a nightmare. Two people recently quit, and now the workload is over the top and the company has a hiring freeze. I'm the kind of person who can handle tight deadlines and large workloads, but it has gotten out of hand. I regularly get emails from my boss telling me that this [huge project] needs to be done NOW! Yes, he uses all-caps. He even tells me I can't leave my desk until it's done, so I eat lunch while I work 8 straight hours and only leave the desk for very fast bathroom breaks.

The stress is making me sick. There's no one above that I can report him to and quitting is not an option for financial reasons. I can retire in about 8 months, but each day is torture and I don't know how I can make it that far, mentally and physically. I don't even enjoy weekends anymore because I'm so stressed about Mondays.

I'm just venting, but if anyone has been in a similar situation, I'd love to know how they handled it. Or just get some sympathy and support. Thanks.
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Sorry to hear that you are having to deal with a boss that's trying to save his own skin at your expense. But consider that you are the only asset he has left. What's he gonna do? Fire you? Not likely.

8 months is too long to have to put up with this situation.
 
I felt like I was in the same boat last summer. It finally got bad enough that I just couldn't take any more and walked off mid-shift. I'd been in the working world for 70 years and had never been fired and never before left a job without notice.

It was hard getting used to not having what was "extra" money for me, but I got used to it.

If you have short- or long-term disability, would your doc write an order for you to take medical leave due to health concerns?

My blood pressure is consistently 123-125 over 78-80 now. Before I quit, it was consistently 160-165 over 90-95.

If there's a way in the world you can squeak by and still pay the bills, leave while you're still alive. SS won't do any good if you're too dead to collect it.
 
Ontology Geek said:
Based on your description, it seems that the company is trying to force you to quit in order for them to save money. This is so common. It’s sad. I was lured away from my job too early. Please don’t allow that to happen to you. It’s just a scam. Document everything. Save the emails received from your boss and other management. Explain to your boss calmly that you are handling the projects efficiently, just as you have done in the past. You are not a robot so you can’t be expected to work 24/7 on anything. Your health is priority. Take a few deep breaths, step outside in the sunshine for a few minutes and finish the job at your own pace.

If he threatens to fire you after all of that, you have all the documentation you need to prove your case to an employment lawyer. They are well aware of age discrimination and employer benefit savings tactics.
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Excellent advice! Please don't allow fear (for any reason) stop you from following it. 🙏
 
You are in the same boat many of us have been through before. Bottom line- your health is more important than any job, If you do not do something soon, us may not live long enough to retire at all. Weight all your options first- stick it out and get sick, quit in mid air and be fearful ,but free, get yourself fired and then draw unemployment and you find part time to help out. I chose to file early SS and once in progress said See ya and left. However if you use this idea act fast as many layoffs are happening in govt and this will slow down some processing. Keep us posted.
 
C50 said:
You are in a position of personal power but you just don't realize it. You don't have to be insubordinate but you can simply fulfill reasonable expectations and not feel guilty about going home with a task unfinished. If the boss gets in your business you just shrug and say you're doing the best you can.
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This! What's he gonna do, fire you? Who else can do the job if you're already short handed.
 
Ontology Geek said:
Based on your description, it seems that the company is trying to force you to quit in order for them to save money. This is so common. It’s sad. I was lured away from my job too early. Please don’t allow that to happen to you. It’s just a scam. Document everything. Save the emails received from your boss and other management. Explain to your boss calmly that you are handling the projects efficiently, just as you have done in the past. You are not a robot so you can’t be expected to work 24/7 on anything. Your health is priority. Take a few deep breaths, step outside in the sunshine for a few minutes and finish the job at your own pace.

If he threatens to fire you after all of that, you have all the documentation you need to prove your case to an employment lawyer. They are well aware of age discrimination and employer benefit savings tactics.
Click to expand...
I know for sure they do not want me to quit, and when I do retire, I'm pretty sure he'll ask me to do some freelancing for the company. I work at least twice as efficiently as other people and my boss knows it, praises me on a regular basis, and gives me great reviews. Plus, there's a hiring freeze and they'd have a real problem if I quit. He's about 20 years younger, and a type-A workaholic who he expects everyone else to be the same. I've proven that I can get a lot of work done in a short amount of time, so he keeps expecting more and more.
 
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