Off on leave from for burnout and not sure I can go back

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I'm off on leave from work right for stress and burnout. Started the leave mid-September and I just had it extended to Nov 10. I've been working at the same place for 21 years.

I have had a couple leaves from work in my time there, 1 when I broke my arm 11 years and once for foot surgery in 2023. It's a warehouse job, started when I was 24, I am now 45.

The job itself really isn't the problem but it's all the other issues that go along with it that are making things hard. Much of it out of my control but it makes my life hell none the less. The company has been sold a couple times since I have worked there and new owners have come in and are implementing changes.

1. Dealing with some co-workers, IMO we have too many people in my department, and it's too crowed. Most people I am indifferent, I just have nothing in common with them. A small handful I do get on with ok, I know they think I'm weird but other than that ok. I have about 3 people who hate my guts, one lady treats me like I am an idiot as does this other guy. There just insufferable and honestly, I hate them. There is also this one co-worker who will flip out over the most trivial things and management will not fire this guy, even though he's threatened a couple of people.

2. Boss's I mostly get along with at the current time, they are not perfect, but I hope they don't shuffle managers while I am gone and bring someone I can't stand in the department.

3. Constant rule changes! this is the one of the worst things. Rules change on a whim and it's usually to the determent of the employees and it's usually done with 0 warning, or they will do it " because I said so".

4. Over the years the bright lights and noise have really gotten to me too, it used to never bother me but now it does.


Being off is starting make me realize what a s--t show that place is. If I quit its 21 years down the drain, I lose my health insurance and vacation time. Going to a new job would mean a big pay cut. I'm at a bit of a loss at what to do, between money, my sanity, and everything.

Can you use the free time that you currently have to look for other work? Perhaps you can find another job in the same field, since it's not the work per se, that is irritating you.

Problem is that health insurance and vacation time are tied to the job, this is the only reason I feel forced to stay. If it were not that I would have been gone long ago. Still, point taken and its something to think about. Still I don't know when I will snap out of this burnout

Sorry your work circumstances are not so good. You have been there awhile , So ? how long to retirement ?
Might find a distraction/ hobby/ to engage. your mind in..... So you mind have something else to focus on!!.. until retirement .And possibly look for some other line of work with reasonable benefits.?
Try to be good to yourself inbetween perhaps?

? Medical retirement ?

Sweet Pea hugs

Been going to a consoler every other week but still don't feel ready to go back to work, made an appointment with the doctor later this week, hoping to get approved for another month

Get cheap sunglasses from Zennis. They have auto darkening ones as well, though that wears out after a couple of years.

Hope you can get back to where you need to be

You definitely need time and I hope you're given this time

No, I would be out the door and within a day I'd be forgotten. I've been back about 3 weeks, it's the same old BS. I didn't try to get an extension as I figure If I need another leave someplace down the road, I didn't want the Dr or my workplace for that matter thinking I am trying to pull a scam or something.

Managers get transferred about every 1.5-2 years.

That's really tough, King Kat 1.

All the best with it. Take care of yourself.