So burnt out and returning to the office soon

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Commiseration. People are exhausted, mentally a wreck, some are grieving. I work in a field that was bonkers during the Trump years and we all thought there would be a break after the election but nope, it's been even busier. No one has anything left. That's part of why the "back to normal" talk grates - whatever the new normal is, I need a minute before it starts


Yes!


I've had the exact same thought. As an entire society, we just need a minute! Wouldn't it be nice if President Biden announced like a week of recovery from Covid, and we could all just take some time to rest? Like the week in between Christmas and New Years when only the most essential things get done.

It will never happen, but a burnt out mom can dream!


Isn’t that what summer vacation is for?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Commiseration. People are exhausted, mentally a wreck, some are grieving. I work in a field that was bonkers during the Trump years and we all thought there would be a break after the election but nope, it's been even busier. No one has anything left. That's part of why the "back to normal" talk grates - whatever the new normal is, I need a minute before it starts


Yes!


I've had the exact same thought. As an entire society, we just need a minute! Wouldn't it be nice if President Biden announced like a week of recovery from Covid, and we could all just take some time to rest? Like the week in between Christmas and New Years when only the most essential things get done.

It will never happen, but a burnt out mom can dream!


Isn’t that what summer vacation is for?


For some industries, I suppose. Mine just keeps going and going... and yes, people are more inclined to take vacation but there's still plenty going on. It's not dead like that Xmas/NY week.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Commiseration. People are exhausted, mentally a wreck, some are grieving. I work in a field that was bonkers during the Trump years and we all thought there would be a break after the election but nope, it's been even busier. No one has anything left. That's part of why the "back to normal" talk grates - whatever the new normal is, I need a minute before it starts


Yes!


I've had the exact same thought. As an entire society, we just need a minute! Wouldn't it be nice if President Biden announced like a week of recovery from Covid, and we could all just take some time to rest? Like the week in between Christmas and New Years when only the most essential things get done.

It will never happen, but a burnt out mom can dream!


Isn’t that what summer vacation is for?


Sure, but we all have to take it collectively, otherwise the work keeps going and you come back from vacation a little behind. I think workers deserve an extra week of vacation this year for COVID recovery.

Also, can you imagine if Biden tried to announce that? The "my freedoms!" crowd would somehow find a way to be outraged.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Commiseration. People are exhausted, mentally a wreck, some are grieving. I work in a field that was bonkers during the Trump years and we all thought there would be a break after the election but nope, it's been even busier. No one has anything left. That's part of why the "back to normal" talk grates - whatever the new normal is, I need a minute before it starts


Yes!


I've had the exact same thought. As an entire society, we just need a minute! Wouldn't it be nice if President Biden announced like a week of recovery from Covid, and we could all just take some time to rest? Like the week in between Christmas and New Years when only the most essential things get done.

It will never happen, but a burnt out mom can dream!


Isn’t that what summer vacation is for?


Sure, but we all have to take it collectively, otherwise the work keeps going and you come back from vacation a little behind. I think workers deserve an extra week of vacation this year for COVID recovery.

Also, can you imagine if Biden tried to announce that? The "my freedoms!" crowd would somehow find a way to be outraged.


You mean the workers who have not faced hardship from Covid, were not on the frontline, were not healthcare or morgue workers or deemed as 'Essential' because they bagged groceries? Hell no.

And the work will be piling up the week you come back regardless - demand doesn't stop just because you clocked out. Get over yourself.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Commiseration. People are exhausted, mentally a wreck, some are grieving. I work in a field that was bonkers during the Trump years and we all thought there would be a break after the election but nope, it's been even busier. No one has anything left. That's part of why the "back to normal" talk grates - whatever the new normal is, I need a minute before it starts


Yes!


I've had the exact same thought. As an entire society, we just need a minute! Wouldn't it be nice if President Biden announced like a week of recovery from Covid, and we could all just take some time to rest? Like the week in between Christmas and New Years when only the most essential things get done.

It will never happen, but a burnt out mom can dream!


Isn’t that what summer vacation is for?


Sure, but we all have to take it collectively, otherwise the work keeps going and you come back from vacation a little behind. I think workers deserve an extra week of vacation this year for COVID recovery.

Also, can you imagine if Biden tried to announce that? The "my freedoms!" crowd would somehow find a way to be outraged.


You mean the workers who have not faced hardship from Covid, were not on the frontline, were not healthcare or morgue workers or deemed as 'Essential' because they bagged groceries? Hell no.

And the work will be piling up the week you come back regardless - demand doesn't stop just because you clocked out. Get over yourself.


Ah, there it is...

As for me, I have plenty of leave to use and plan on using it right after I meet a major deadline this month. I don't need anything extra, but some people with worse benefits might. But a lot of people are burnt out like OP. That isn't wrong just because others had it worse.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Commiseration. People are exhausted, mentally a wreck, some are grieving. I work in a field that was bonkers during the Trump years and we all thought there would be a break after the election but nope, it's been even busier. No one has anything left. That's part of why the "back to normal" talk grates - whatever the new normal is, I need a minute before it starts


Yes!


I've had the exact same thought. As an entire society, we just need a minute! Wouldn't it be nice if President Biden announced like a week of recovery from Covid, and we could all just take some time to rest? Like the week in between Christmas and New Years when only the most essential things get done.

It will never happen, but a burnt out mom can dream!


Isn’t that what summer vacation is for?


Sure, but we all have to take it collectively, otherwise the work keeps going and you come back from vacation a little behind. I think workers deserve an extra week of vacation this year for COVID recovery.

Also, can you imagine if Biden tried to announce that? The "my freedoms!" crowd would somehow find a way to be outraged.


You mean the workers who have not faced hardship from Covid, were not on the frontline, were not healthcare or morgue workers or deemed as 'Essential' because they bagged groceries? Hell no.

And the work will be piling up the week you come back regardless - demand doesn't stop just because you clocked out. Get over yourself.


Ah, there it is...

As for me, I have plenty of leave to use and plan on using it right after I meet a major deadline this month. I don't need anything extra, but some people with worse benefits might. But a lot of people are burnt out like OP. That isn't wrong just because others had it worse.


Actually it is wrong. Level the playing field before you try to boost your own self (or your friends) up.

Call for grocery stores nationwide to have a 3-day holiday. Support a $15-hr minimum wage or at the very least a Essential employees bonus. Do more than send cookies to the Critical Care/ICU nursing/medical staff that busted their ass and saw enough death to equal a decade of work during a single horrific year.

- someone who had a very relaxing 2020 but recognizes inequalities exist
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Commiseration. People are exhausted, mentally a wreck, some are grieving. I work in a field that was bonkers during the Trump years and we all thought there would be a break after the election but nope, it's been even busier. No one has anything left. That's part of why the "back to normal" talk grates - whatever the new normal is, I need a minute before it starts


Yes!


I've had the exact same thought. As an entire society, we just need a minute! Wouldn't it be nice if President Biden announced like a week of recovery from Covid, and we could all just take some time to rest? Like the week in between Christmas and New Years when only the most essential things get done.

It will never happen, but a burnt out mom can dream!


Isn’t that what summer vacation is for?


Sure, but we all have to take it collectively, otherwise the work keeps going and you come back from vacation a little behind. I think workers deserve an extra week of vacation this year for COVID recovery.

Also, can you imagine if Biden tried to announce that? The "my freedoms!" crowd would somehow find a way to be outraged.


You mean the workers who have not faced hardship from Covid, were not on the frontline, were not healthcare or morgue workers or deemed as 'Essential' because they bagged groceries? Hell no.

And the work will be piling up the week you come back regardless - demand doesn't stop just because you clocked out. Get over yourself.


Wow! Made it to page three before a snide, obnoxious comment!
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Commiseration. People are exhausted, mentally a wreck, some are grieving. I work in a field that was bonkers during the Trump years and we all thought there would be a break after the election but nope, it's been even busier. No one has anything left. That's part of why the "back to normal" talk grates - whatever the new normal is, I need a minute before it starts


Yes!


I've had the exact same thought. As an entire society, we just need a minute! Wouldn't it be nice if President Biden announced like a week of recovery from Covid, and we could all just take some time to rest? Like the week in between Christmas and New Years when only the most essential things get done.

It will never happen, but a burnt out mom can dream!


Isn’t that what summer vacation is for?


Sure, but we all have to take it collectively, otherwise the work keeps going and you come back from vacation a little behind. I think workers deserve an extra week of vacation this year for COVID recovery.

Also, can you imagine if Biden tried to announce that? The "my freedoms!" crowd would somehow find a way to be outraged.


You mean the workers who have not faced hardship from Covid, were not on the frontline, were not healthcare or morgue workers or deemed as 'Essential' because they bagged groceries? Hell no.

And the work will be piling up the week you come back regardless - demand doesn't stop just because you clocked out. Get over yourself.


Ah, there it is...

As for me, I have plenty of leave to use and plan on using it right after I meet a major deadline this month. I don't need anything extra, but some people with worse benefits might. But a lot of people are burnt out like OP. That isn't wrong just because others had it worse.


Actually it is wrong. Level the playing field before you try to boost your own self (or your friends) up.

Call for grocery stores nationwide to have a 3-day holiday. Support a $15-hr minimum wage or at the very least a Essential employees bonus. Do more than send cookies to the Critical Care/ICU nursing/medical staff that busted their ass and saw enough death to equal a decade of work during a single horrific year.

- someone who had a very relaxing 2020 but recognizes inequalities exist


No, it is not "wrong" to feel burnt out.

A $15 min wage is a no brainer, I do support this (and live somewhere where I actually was able to vote for it). Calling for a 3-day holiday for grocery stores is not going to be effective, but if there is someone calling for that with any power, I support that to.

I might also make a post on a random message board supporting someone else's wish for a national week long recovery. That is not wrong. (It might be wrong if I was spending actual resources fighting for that, but sheesh. Lighten up.)
Anonymous
DP here, we do need some kind of national mourning and recovery. There should be a program like Teach Across America except it's therapists helping people process the last 15 months. Mental Health Across America. Give people a sticker or a snack for going, like they do at the blood bank.

I also love the idea of a culturally agreed upon quiet time when everything is closed and you just stay in and reflect. The concept of a Sabbath is valuable even if you don't attach religious significance to it. To PP's idea, I would love for us all to agree that we'll buy our groceries early or eat our leftovers and back-of-cupboard foods for a week, and refrain from flying or driving except in emergencies, so that as many essential workers as possible can have a break. Subsidize businesses that close or go to drastically reduced hours during that time (like we should have paid businesses to stay closed during covid).
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Commiseration. People are exhausted, mentally a wreck, some are grieving. I work in a field that was bonkers during the Trump years and we all thought there would be a break after the election but nope, it's been even busier. No one has anything left. That's part of why the "back to normal" talk grates - whatever the new normal is, I need a minute before it starts


Yes!


I've had the exact same thought. As an entire society, we just need a minute! Wouldn't it be nice if President Biden announced like a week of recovery from Covid, and we could all just take some time to rest? Like the week in between Christmas and New Years when only the most essential things get done.

It will never happen, but a burnt out mom can dream!


Isn’t that what summer vacation is for?


For some industries, I suppose. Mine just keeps going and going... and yes, people are more inclined to take vacation but there's still plenty going on. It's not dead like that Xmas/NY week.


Yes! Working mothers month! A month long federal holiday in August every year would be amazing. Plus, we would have easier time preparing for back to school. In Italy, a lot shuts down in August.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:DP here, we do need some kind of national mourning and recovery. There should be a program like Teach Across America except it's therapists helping people process the last 15 months. Mental Health Across America. Give people a sticker or a snack for going, like they do at the blood bank.

I also love the idea of a culturally agreed upon quiet time when everything is closed and you just stay in and reflect. The concept of a Sabbath is valuable even if you don't attach religious significance to it. To PP's idea, I would love for us all to agree that we'll buy our groceries early or eat our leftovers and back-of-cupboard foods for a week, and refrain from flying or driving except in emergencies, so that as many essential workers as possible can have a break. Subsidize businesses that close or go to drastically reduced hours during that time (like we should have paid businesses to stay closed during covid).


I just don't see the need for a 'recovery' person for workers who sat at home in bath robes and zoomed to work. I think the essential workers - grocery, doctors, firefighters, EMS, nursing, police, infrastructure, virologists, pathologists, morgue workers, factory workers, and epidemiologists - should be the absolute priority.

Pay all of them 3 months of salary and tell them not to come to work for 90 days. Tell the hospital workers or essential staff who quit or quietly moved to different fields just as Covid started to come back and take on their job (with pay) during that time.

But the people who really saved this country deserve to be lauded. And yes the dead and the family caregivers deserve time to mourn.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:DP here, we do need some kind of national mourning and recovery. There should be a program like Teach Across America except it's therapists helping people process the last 15 months. Mental Health Across America. Give people a sticker or a snack for going, like they do at the blood bank.

I also love the idea of a culturally agreed upon quiet time when everything is closed and you just stay in and reflect. The concept of a Sabbath is valuable even if you don't attach religious significance to it. To PP's idea, I would love for us all to agree that we'll buy our groceries early or eat our leftovers and back-of-cupboard foods for a week, and refrain from flying or driving except in emergencies, so that as many essential workers as possible can have a break. Subsidize businesses that close or go to drastically reduced hours during that time (like we should have paid businesses to stay closed during covid).


I just don't see the need for a 'recovery' person for workers who sat at home in bath robes and zoomed to work. I think the essential workers - grocery, doctors, firefighters, EMS, nursing, police, infrastructure, virologists, pathologists, morgue workers, factory workers, and epidemiologists - should be the absolute priority.

Pay all of them 3 months of salary and tell them not to come to work for 90 days. Tell the hospital workers or essential staff who quit or quietly moved to different fields just as Covid started to come back and take on their job (with pay) during that time.

But the people who really saved this country deserve to be lauded. And yes the dead and the family caregivers deserve time to mourn.


This is such an American response, to be worried that someone might get a benefit they do not "deserve." We would rather have nothing, than let everyone have something.

First of all, the only way that essential workers get a paid holiday is if the rest of us stay home. Much like the Feds closing on a snow day to help keep the roads safe for everyone else, office workers and the rest would need to stay put and do little -- no shopping, no commuting, no travel, etc. -- in order to give essential workers a break.

Second, you are pretty cavalier about the mental state of people who lost loved ones, who worried they might, who had covid early on without a diagnosis, who tried to do and keep their jobs without childcare, who worried about the mental health and education of their children, whose relationships with loved ones and children need a reset after too much fighting and stress, who took paycuts or worried their jobs would be cut, who scrambled to sift good medical information from bad in the face of an indifferent or incapable government, who faced shortages of various kinds, who worried that casual interactions could lead to their death or the death of a loved one. The fact somebody could work from home did not negate any of that.

We watched the death toll in Italy, and the morgue trailers in New York, and wondered if our trip to the grocery store would kill us. We wondered if our long distance relatives would die alone -- and some of them did. You can sit here now and know that the DC area was never as bad as NY, but for much of 2020 we didn't know. And add to that, the last year has seen immense political upheaval (whatever your party) and increased violence.

So yes, people need to recover. What exact form that takes, matters less to me than acknowledging it.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:You may find that working in your office will help with your burn out. You may find that you can work more efficiently without distraction from family and are able to get back to working normal hours (instead of too easily working into the evening and night).

A suggestion would be to take a nice long vacation this summer as you all transition to working back in the office. I'm sure you've saved up some time, and it'll be a good way to reset and restart. Parents (especially moms) have had to work so hard during this pandemic. You deserve a break



OP, I feel like you feel, and I am PRAYING that this PP's post comes true for me. Hang in there!
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:DP here, we do need some kind of national mourning and recovery. There should be a program like Teach Across America except it's therapists helping people process the last 15 months. Mental Health Across America. Give people a sticker or a snack for going, like they do at the blood bank.

I also love the idea of a culturally agreed upon quiet time when everything is closed and you just stay in and reflect. The concept of a Sabbath is valuable even if you don't attach religious significance to it. To PP's idea, I would love for us all to agree that we'll buy our groceries early or eat our leftovers and back-of-cupboard foods for a week, and refrain from flying or driving except in emergencies, so that as many essential workers as possible can have a break. Subsidize businesses that close or go to drastically reduced hours during that time (like we should have paid businesses to stay closed during covid).


I just don't see the need for a 'recovery' person for workers who sat at home in bath robes and zoomed to work. I think the essential workers - grocery, doctors, firefighters, EMS, nursing, police, infrastructure, virologists, pathologists, morgue workers, factory workers, and epidemiologists - should be the absolute priority.

Pay all of them 3 months of salary and tell them not to come to work for 90 days. Tell the hospital workers or essential staff who quit or quietly moved to different fields just as Covid started to come back and take on their job (with pay) during that time.

But the people who really saved this country deserve to be lauded. And yes the dead and the family caregivers deserve time to mourn.


This is clearly a fantasy thread, not a serious policy discussion where we need to "prioritize" who gets this imaginary benefit of a week off. No need to be stingy! Let's give everyone a recovery week. Sure, the essential workers can have 3 months for their extra efforts.

Let's take it one step further, and make mandatory paid time off for all workers, every year, because everyone deserves a break. Many of us already have such a benefit, but why shouldn't everyone have it? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_minimum_annual_leave_by_country

post reply Forum Index » Jobs and Careers
Message Quick Reply
Go to: