Pandora's Aquarium: Losing my job...I think - Pandora's Aquarium

Seanna,

Hope it's okay to comment... first off I'm sorry you're struggling so much. I've been there, done that, and I understand how it is to feel like you're in over your head.

Are you seeing a counselor at the moment? If not it sounds like it may be time to consider this option. If your work has an EAP (Employee Assistance Program), I recommend going through that. It's confidential, they will NEVER tell your work that you're seeking help, I've found counselors who talk to you through an EAP line are wonderfully compassionate and many of them have struggled with things themselves.

They cannot provide professional counseling over the line but they are often warm, validating, and supportive. If they determine you need therapy they will coordinate with you to find someone through their network, and you get up to 8 sessions for free per year. If you need more they can provide suggestions, or if you also have health insurance they can try to refer you to someone who will be covered under your plan so you'll only have to pay copays for office visits after the EAP benefits have expired.

As for your colleague's comment, unless she's a supervisor she isn't able to say whether you're going to lose your job. Even if she tattled on you about your performance to your boss, it's still up to your boss to talk to you about it, and even then most workplaces tend to follow a performance improvement plan for employees who are struggling. It's much more benefit to them to try and help you out and save your job than to have to terminate you, hire someone new, and go through the time and money of training that person to get to where you are.

I don't know how open-door your supervisor is but hopefully if he/she approaches you or notices your performance has gone down, you can say you're struggling with personal issues (you don't even have to disclose what they are), and you could use some help by way of suggestions as to what the company offers on that end. Again, if there's an EAP benefit where you work, it's a great option, and if not then hopefully your boss is a kind-hearted enough person to help you get through this in a way that benefits you the most.

Hang in there Seanna. Again I'm sorry for your struggles and I hope things get better for you soon.

Thanks Pavitra.

I am currently in counseling. I know the EAP programs are supposed to be private....but I don't trust them. Just my own issues, not with them but with other confidential issues within this company.

As far as the company spending more money to replace me than to keep me...I wish that were the case. I unfortunately work int he mortgage industry and its a revolving door environment. if someone isn't pulling their weight, they'll cut them and replace them in a heartbeat. I think my co-worker was just trying to give me the heads up on how I was appearing from the outside. Kind of a kick in the rear to step it up a bit...(she doesn't know what I'm going through).

Thank you for the awesome advice. If I wasn't already in counseling I would have definately considered the option. I'm just going to have to try to step it up...however what I really want to do is step down.

- Seanna