Cannot handle this place any longer
I used to like my job. I work as a case worker for Medicaid for the Elderly and Disabled. I loved how I could help those who really needed it afford to stay in a clean nursing facility or get help paying for Medicare premiums when most of them were living in RSDI or SSI. Let me tell you...it's not much money. It gave me great pleasure to help someone and see the relief on their faces when I could approve their applications. In recent months, though, it's changed. Our agency went to a new program that forced us to learn Food Stamps and they had to learn our work as well (although we seem to do more for them than they do for us). Along with that, we do not answer our phones, we cold call EVERY application, which our department never did. I'm not a fan of being cold called so doing it makes my skin crawl. We also alternate days or weeks of lobby duty. Lobby duty is when a client comes in the office to apply or ask a question and one of us goes up front to help. I don't mind it at all if it were customer service oriented. It's not. One person is assigned duty. If someone comes in, reception tells us but...BUT...we can't go right away to help. If we are in the middle of working a case, we work that case until done THEN the customer is helped. It could be 30 mins, an hour, longer. We only get backed up during our lunch break. It's really sad. Imagine an elderly person having to sit for long periods of time waiting to be helped. Is that fair? But the hardest is no lag time between cases. We can't get up and walk around between cases. We have to open the case, then go to The restroom or walk up front, etc but we can't take too long or we will be called or emailed asking why. Yes. We are monitored now. Allllllll day .. No breaks. I have degenerative disc disease in my neck and lower back. In have 3 herniated discs in my neck and bulging discs everywhere else. Sitting non-stop is harmful and I have consulted my Dr and have issued my MRI results only to just get FMLA to attend physical therapy but no other help. The requested chair and desk has yet to be given and I'm in agony. I just don't know what else to do. I'm stuck here unless I find something else that pays as well. In my area, there's not much. At my whits end.
You need a sit down with your manager and HR to accommodate your "disability"/health issues. Get a letter from your doctor saying it is imperative that you get your desk/chair asap. Tell them you appreciate their helping you and that you "love" your job. In the meantime, start a job search. Gov't work is never easy as bureaucracy ruins it. Your skills would translate to working for any insurance company or as a housing counselor or even for Medicare. Good luck.
You are experiencing the change curve.....It may be your time to move on....
Whatever u do, DO NOT QUIT. I have been out of work for the last 5 years and it SUCKS!!! I have to depend on my husband for every nickel I need. The only thing I can suggest is BITCH, BITCH, BITCH, but do it nicely because u don't want to get fired either. Keep complaining to whomever is in charge of the new chair and desk until they finally get u what u need. Hang on by your fingernails if u have to but DO NOT GIVE UP. Believe me, I am 58 years old and have been looking for a job for 3 years, and nobody wants to hire me for whatever reason they can come up with. The people doing the hiring are like 25 to 27 years old and no idea about what they r doing so don't let go.
Not quite clear why they would have you cold calling on Food Stamps. How does that work? Are you cold calling people who haven t even filed an application? A bit vague.
Melissa, You have a lot going on there. It seems like there are too many changes in the organization that seem to be not geared towards customer care to address. It does not sound like there is a solution in the near future. I would start to look and see what is out there for you. I would also explore starting some sort of your own "side hustle" business as well. You seem to be very client oriented and have skills needed in the market. The drawback is the industry is very government oriented. The job search may be highly populated with the same issues but not for sure. Think about what you always wanted to do and what you have the desire to do. There are markets out there that can replace your salary should you choose that route. I would be happy to assist you in creating this at no cost to you if you so choose. Just send me an e-mail wbarr22@gmail.com
This sounds like a total reversal of the service concepts you have learned through practice that have value to your customers. I had a similar thing happen when I worked at a software tax company - when another unit came it, it went to all metrics and forecasting as well as charging the customer and time limits. In another place, a county public health clinic, changes are regularly talked about and revised to serve their customers. (They also cross-trained positions, including some lobby contact.) Is there no such committee or entity there? If not, divide your dilemma up into chunks so you can do the best you can in the circumstances. Try to manage the change in operations with grace, which may become easier over time. Take the breaks you need, despite monitoring. Check into the ergonomic chair/desk status weekly. If customers complain, provide a phone number and name of the person to comment to. And, start planning your exit strategy in case it is needed.
Horrible, that is a toxic environment for you. I would suggest to speak to manager in making the chair and the desk you required actually happens.
Melissa I know how you feel. I have worked jobs I was so unhappy with. Stay there but please do try with all your might to find another job you will be happy doing. I know it's hard to do but don't give up the employment you have until you get something you really like. Have faith things will change for you soon.