I feel like my anxiety, stress and blood pressure levels have steadily increased over the months. There is too much stress just being here and no one cares.
I am at my breaking point if I haven't yet crossed that line already. Unfortunately, I cannot afford doctor visits or counseling.
Where can I turn to get help I need? I need to get everything in check and my life in balance before I start looking for a new position somewhere else. That's a given, I can't stay at Sears.
While at work, think and feel like a robot.
@3vrn: that's sad. I can see something like that happening here. It has been said more than once that the company's culture at HQ is oppressive and over-the-top. Lots of bullies in leadership.
There's stress at all companies but I imagine the stress increases dramatically when the company is failing.
Perhaps the person who committed suicide at HQ felt that he or she had no "out", that there wasn't life beyond Sears Holdings. Sad, sad, sad.
To the person asking if people have ended their lives at corporate office, I can confirm at least one has, jumped off the stairwell.
To the poster who mentioned directional alignment & metrics, you do realize Sears becomes less profitable every quarter? You keep increasing the metrics but you do worse & worse with the profit part. So ...
I used to be stressed to the max but then I just figured I would just do my job and do whatever they asked me to do within limits. I now only work the hours that I am scheduled (no more working off the clock). I listen to the managers complain and yell and scream to get more done with less hours to do it, but I figure that since I show up every day, I don't call in sick, I work my job and I know what I am doing, I am pleasant and have a good attitude. What are they going to do fire me? All that would do is put more stress on them to find someone who can do the job and not call out every other day and who will probablly quit within a month or two.
Just realize that the managers are getting heat from the DM's who are getting heat from the Regional manager who are getting heat from their bosses and so on up the line. But no one, and I mean no one believes that anything they do will save this company. It is all for show and to keep their jobs until they can find another job. This is from corportate right down to store level.
Keep your chin up, work your hours and don't worry. Stay on this board to see that you are not alone in this. We all feel your pain.
Everything needs to be taken in perspective. No working at headquarters is not bad. Those that make a lot of money have more stress but they are being paid to compensate for that stress.
i hear people have actually ended their lives at head office (i say that seriously and not as some awful joke) does anyone know how true this is?
Dear Troll: a human being is asking for help, when you're on your deathbed and about to enter the unknown remember your comment, be ready to explain that one to your maker!
It frustrates me when people say 'just leave' or 'get another job'. I was lied to in my interview and moved across the country to work here (I wish I had seen this site beforehand) financial assistance was provided to me which I would have to pay back if I leave (I can't as I spent that relocating) leaving 3 months after I have just started would scar my resume for years. People can't leave for various reasons. To the OP, talk to some close colleagues if you can, it eases things slightly. Ease up on the alcohol if you drink as that will make your anxiety worse. If susceptible to depression see a doctor as what u are experiencing might be aided via medication. If you are spiritually inclined take some time out during your day to contemplate while going for a walk (assuming you are home office), importantly know u are not on your own. Myself along with everyone I know is experiencing the same thing. God Bless.
First of all @ Leena either your a troll or a tool from the Sears team. Working for Sears stresses a lot of people I know people that stress most is because Sears is basically part of their life to get their pay check to live day by day, but thats why you must prepare yourself. I have always saved a bit of my money and always managed my expenses because I don't put Sears like they would bail me out just work for them and they pay me.
Don't let this company get to you do your shop and no more if stuff doesnt get done move one don't let it stress you. If its that bad its best you start looking for another job, but don't quit until you get another job I have had lots of co workers quit on the spot and guess what? Since they quit without searching they end up having some struggles. People at work always ask me how I do it and I tell them I just do my job I don't let managers get to me what are they gona do fire me? They know I know what I am doing been their for a while firing me would be on them hiring a new worker that will not know nothing and will take years to catch up to my level I basically manage my department so I just do my job I just do the minimum and expect my pay check. I aint scared of no manager their they can't pull me down and its always because if I get fired I have a cushion to fall at.
Once again OP don't let this get to you relax and get your mind clear stressing out can lead to getting sick and will get worse if your health gets affected by it.
You need to leave. Don't wait. Once you put your notice in, you will feel so much better.
Too busy lighting my pile of money on fire.
"VP on the boards now. I think its Eli Wexler."
The 'pseudonym' is bacckkkk - long time no hear from
VP on the boards now. I think its Eli Wexler.
Don't just quit, but change your mindset, act as if you aren't going to work there much longer anyways and try and find another job. No need to stress over this place if you know its not a great job in the first place and not long term.
Don't let work get in the way of interviews and don't worry about threats of firings and being laid off... because honestly it means there is more money then you would have gotten by just quitting.
I'm all for working people hard, but bad managers don't realize how crappy the company treats people. I've done my fair share at Sears from being a glorified stockboy to presenting processes to a VP. Work hard but work smart and realize no matter what you do they will try to squeeze more out of you, so don't stress about it. A friend of mine was an Auto Center manager who hit 300% of plan and some stupid over 100% of goals and they still managed to screw him out of his bonus, then changed his plan so it was just over what he could do. Its all a game, and like a casino, you aren't meant to win.
I'm sure its not much better elsewhere, but it is better and you don't have to worry about walking in one day to a bankruptcy.
Dont leave without backup income. The stress of sears may be gone instantly but the stress of having less income and no way to earn more will that it's place...
Since you say you can't afford doctor visits or therapy I'm gonna assume you're at the associate level. If the stress of meeting metrics is what's getting to you then realize that it's mostly just talk. You don't have to stress yourself out trying to reach unrealistic goals just do what's within your power, listen to the nagging, acknowledge you're below expectations, and repeat.
If your stress comes from the inevitable, but still unpredictable bankruptcy then you really have no choice but to leave. Start putting in applications and just hold out.
If you're someone trying to wait it out so you can retire then I would suggest possible finding a cheap place for monthly therapy. It doesn't alway cost hundreds of dollars. Try some moderate exercise as well.
I understand the stress. Everyone feels it from time to time and your personal circumstances will dictate whether you can or cant leave without another job. Try to not put so much stress on yourself. If you truly feel it is workplace harrassment, call the 800 number. It is there for a reason and should be used if needed. We all have tons of work at every level. I just try to remind myself that this is just a job and no one else can do any better than I am doing, so it is what it is.
You must quit. I did and I feel so much better, my blood pressure went down, and I am so much happier in my personal life. Once you quit, you'll realize to yourself that you should've done it years ago. You work for a POS company which will be BK this year.
Try calling 1-800-273-8255 - they also do online chat - they can help with either way you want to do it - stay or go
To the last poster, either you are a troll or just singing the praises of sears before they cut you loose too. Anyway, its best to start looking for another job. There are way better jobs than sears and will actually treat you like a person.
Quit complaining and do your job. I can't stand all you store associates whining about managers being on you to hit metrics. These metrics are directional indicators to align your actions with measures of profitability for the company. You guys are like a bunch of toddlers who have to be coaxed to eat your vegetables and brush your teeth. These are things you are being paid to do. All you want to do is ring people up and fold some clothes. ..well that ain't enough to keep this sinking ship afloat. If the prson cutting your pay check wants you to mention a sears credit card you do it. Just count yourself lucky we're not asking you to spin a sign out front in a statue of liberty costume
actively wrk on finding another job. That act will make you start to feel better in itself. good luck
What I was saying on the post below was that this person cannot wait for something to fall in their lap. The OP needs to find another job and make it his/her main priority. A job doesn't control your decisions outside of it, you can find something else, literally every retailer is constantly hiring but you must be aggressive to get something different.
Please do not leave. Some job is better than no job. Do you have skills or talents, and education to help you out? If not, stay until you can get some money saved, but never ever quit a job, if you do not have another job to go to. Pray and ask God for patience to get through it. I have been where you are. God Bless
The people that say "just leave" really don't understand the pressure this company puts on people.
I understand.
The amount of bullying that goes on is unbearable. And they make us take "complainace" training to report workplace harassment. There should be a badge for putting up with the Stockholm Syndrome which keeps everyone from staying in this madness.
There really are better places to work for.
Trust me.
Take a deep breath. Work on your resume. Start looking for jobs online. Apply if something interests you. Try to remember this is temporary. I agree that it's awful though.
I know what you are feeling. I would lose sleep thinking of how I would support my family when my store inevitably would close. Believe me when I tell you all you have to do is leave, don't wait for a new job just go get it even if you feel like you are not ready. The stress the pressure all that goes away immediately, this is not a joke or someone that is upset with the company. Your problems literally go away the second you sing on with someone else.