Regret new job

Jenneke87

Three weeks ago I started at a new job. I worked in a customer service role for the same company till december last year but developed a serious case of RSI in both neck and arm and because of that decided to change jobs. I got hired as a service employee at a station in my home town. Initially I was really excited as it sounded like a quite diverse role but I find it very boring. When rush hour is over there's is hardly anyone around and I wonder around aimlessly around the station in case there is a lost soul that needs help. We also have a ticket office where it's equally quiet, I don't know why there was a vacany here in the first place..

I took the role mainly so I wouldn't have to work with a pc so much anymore thinking it be better for my arm but things have gotten worse! The desk at the ticket office is not ergonomic at all: it's a very small space with an ill placed pc that cannot be moved, a desk that's non-adjustable and way too low for me. I'm afraid to bring it up with my manager in case they decide to let me go and I really can't afford that.

I don't really get along with my new colleagues. A lot of them are much older and we have nothing in common. At my previous job I had a great bunch of colleagues and I miss them so much. I'm also shocked by how unprofessional some of them are: loud, personal phone conversation in front of customers, playing with their phone so they don't notice the people waiting at their desk to purchase a ticket, loud music on their phone which everyone can hear, oversharing personal information when there are customers which makes me cringe..I carefully brought it up with the manager and he said he was aware of these problems but wants the staff to solve these problems among themselves. It makes me uncomfortable when these things happen, I don't find it professional at all.

I don't know what to do: stick it out, try and go back to my old job or find something else entirely. I don't have any degrees so am limited in what I can do. Any advise welcome.

Ursus Horribilis

I remember you talking about that RSI issue before. Would you be causing yourself more troubles by going back to your old job? From what I recall, it was becoming very debilitating.

The_Honeybadger

OP I had a very bad case of RSI in the past and was told by numerous doctors and physical therapists that I’d have to give up my job or learn to live with it. I came to a point where it was completely dominating every aspect of my life and I was either at work or lying on my back at home trying to get some temporary relief.

I have almost completely overcome it through a mix of stress reduction, strength training and most importantly educating myself on the causes and triggers of RSI. Read one of John Sarno’s books with an open mind and the reason your RSI has worsened will become clear to you.

I am still in my job spending a lot of the day in front of a computer. I still get a stiff neck the odd time and a few aches and pains but some of it is probably from the gym too. RSI is not a life sentence unless you let it be.

klm1

OP, I'm not saying this is you, but in my current role, I discovered that although nothing was set up well ergonomically for me, chair bad, pc at wrong height, desk awful, etc... I was actually causing a lot of the Ergo related issues myself, by not adopting a correct position while using the mouse and keyboard. Is it possible your way of sitting at the desk/using the equipment is aggravating your RSI and you could alter your normal position to work better with what you have?

Ergo aside, I found myself in a similar position to you in this company, I moved thinking it would be a good move, hated my new colleagues as i found them very unprofessional, and more... I realised after a few months that I was in control of my own situation and started to apply for jobs I knew I could do. Finally one landed.
Speak to a good recruiter, they can help you to find something much more suitable.

Jenneke87

The_Honeybadger wrote: »

OP I had a very bad case of RSI in the past and was told by numerous doctors and physical therapists that I’d have to give up my job or learn to live with it. I came to a point where it was completely dominating every aspect of my life and I was either at work or lying on my back at home trying to get some temporary relief.

I have almost completely overcome it through a mix of stress reduction, strength training and most importantly educating myself on the causes and triggers of RSI. Read one of John Sarno’s books with an open mind and the reason your RSI has worsened will become clear to you.

I am still in my job spending a lot of the day in front of a computer. I still get a stiff neck the odd time and a few aches and pains but some of it is probably from the gym too. RSI is not a life sentence unless you let it be.

Thanks for your reply, that is really helpful. Did you do a specific type of exercise if I may ask? I know that I have a lot of stress right now but I don't know how to reduce it. Which book(s) by Dr. Sarno did you read? I see he has loads!

The_Honeybadger

Jenneke87 wrote: »

Thanks for your reply, that is really helpful. Did you do a specific type of exercise if I may ask? I know that I have a lot of stress right now but I don't know how to reduce it. Which book(s) by Dr. Sarno did you read? I see he has loads!

I read ‘mindbody prescription’ by Dr. Sarno, I believe his other books are all along the same lines. I see a lot of other people recommend ‘the great pain deception’ by Ray Ozanich as well which is a much longer read, haven’t gotten to it myself. The basic premise of these books is that RSI and other musculoskeletal disorders are actually psychosomatic, that our muscles are incredibly resilient and the idea that bad posture can cause crippling pain is ridiculous. He blames stress, repressed emotions etc. Won’t say much more, I highly recommend reading it, it was the single biggest thing for me in getting over RSI.

In terms of exercising I go to the gym three times a week and do squats, deadlifts, bench etc. I am not sure if this has had a direct impact on my pain but I have gained huge strength and confidence, look and feel better etc. Exercising is one of the main recommendations in dealing with RSI anyway a sedentary lifestyle is not good for anybody.

Edit: also check out the ‘Curable’ app which has been developed for this condition using the Sarno principles. It’s a paid app that gives you a full programme of audio content etc I believe a lot of people swear by it my results were so good from just reading the book I never bothered with it.

megaten

The_Honeybadger wrote: »

I read ‘mindbody prescription’ by Dr. Sarno, I believe his other books are all along the same lines. I see a lot of other people recommend ‘the great pain deception’ by Ray Ozanich as well which is a much longer read, haven’t gotten to it myself. The basic premise of these books is that RSI and other musculoskeletal disorders are actually psychosomatic, that our muscles are incredibly resilient and the idea that bad posture can cause crippling pain is ridiculous. He blames stress, repressed emotions etc. Won’t say much more, I highly recommend reading it, it was the single biggest thing for me in getting over RSI.

In terms of exercising I go to the gym three times a week and do squats, deadlifts, bench etc. I am not sure if this has had a direct impact on my pain but I have gained huge strength and confidence, look and feel better etc. Exercising is one of the main recommendations in dealing with RSI anyway a sedentary lifestyle is not good for anybody.

Edit: also check out the ‘Curable’ app which has been developed for this condition using the Sarno principles. It’s a paid app that gives you a full programme of audio content etc I believe a lot of people swear by it my results were so good from just reading the book I never bothered with it.

That sounds absurd to be honest.

The_Honeybadger

megaten wrote: »

That sounds absurd to be honest.

It does and I would have said the same until I tried it in desperation because absolutely nothing else worked. I completely understand the scepticism but I don’t care how absurd it sounds, I only care that it worked for me. The idea of stress causing muscle tension is not that radical btw it’s a relatively widely accepted theory, it’s the degree to which it can affect people that may be a grey area.

I spent an absolute fortune going to doctors, physios, chiropractors and acupuncturists to no avail whatsoever. Nobody could tell me what was wrong and there was nothing unusual on my MRI.

.......

I remember your posts about the RSI and the job.

Im sorry you are having issues in your new role.

Im not sure what kind of advice you are after here so Ill go with a broad stroke:

You cant go back to the last job, the RSI issues were serious to the point that you had to leave - so I dont believe thats a runner.

In terms of the new job:
Your colleagues behaviour - its not your problem, tune it out. The only people whose behaviour you can change is your own. So you behave professionally and lead by example. But if your boss aint sorting it - its not your issue.

How often are you at the desk in the ticket office? And how much worse is it making your RSI?

Without getting into a medical discussion or arguing the benefits of a book my own experience has shown me that stress and lack of exercise produced injury or pain in my own body and the only way I can sit at a desk all day every day (especially the older I get) is to balance it out with exercise targeting my problem areas (your problems areas may be different), exercise to target posture, mindfullness of how I am sitting/working, regular breaks and as much stress reduction as possible. Last year or the year before I went through a period in work where it was (a) very stressful and (b) very busy and my entire right arm seized up, all the tendons from the fingers became inflamed and everything was painful until they healed. I definitely think that my own reaction to the situation made it worse, I was typing with my whole body "clenched" and not taking regular breaks etc...

You can keep looking for something else entirely. I remember there were plenty of suggestions on your last thread for non degree type work.

I believe I also made suggestions for you to do something part time with a view to being able to work at it later - a qualification or some training in a different area - have you made any progress with that?