I stumbled upon this thread yesterday morning as I was getting ready to head out the door to work after having been on a medical leave due to my psychological state the last eight weeks or so. Things have been increasingly stressful for all of us at my employer for the last few years and it seems like all their "improvements" are making the situation worse. One would think that the staggering number of employees out due to stress and related issues in our territory alone would make upper management wonder at least a little, but they seem to be unaware and just keep pushing harder and harder.

SpearOfTheLance I think you hit on a very good point with your statement

Stand up to these jerks! You'll be surprised. most of these people never have anyone tell them how it is and put them in their place. Once you do, they go into shock. Because they have fragile ego's, and everyone kissing their butt makes their ego's so inflated, they get a sense that they are above everything and everyone and emotions of others don't matter. Deflate their balloon! You'll see they act like big cowards then.

The reality of it is most companies are ruling by fear these days. They are using the economic situation to make their employees feel like they have to walk on eggshells for fear of losing their job, but the reality of it is, they need us just as much as we need them. "Everyone is replaceable" seems to be the corporate theme of the year, but they seem to be forgetting one major point, word of mouth truly is the best/worst advertizing one can get and it not only affects the profitability of your company, but the quality of the employee you attract as well. If your employees are unhappy your customers/clients are going to sense it and where do you think your employee base comes from, why the public of course. Why would anyone of true quality apply for a job at a place where they know the employees are not happy?

I've seen this first hand in my location. In the last year and a half we have lost several wonderful employees, either from actually leaving the company or (as is often the case) because they have just given up and don't care anymore. (To be brutally honest, I myself fall into the latter category.) Out of the 50 or so applications we have received (extremely low considering how many people in our area are looking for work) only two hires have actually worked out, and of the half dozen or so other appealing applicants, not a one has even entertained the offer made to them.

I personally took my time off from work very seriously and chose to do some very deep soul searching. With the help of a wonderful counselor through my county's mental health services I was able to identify the sources of most of my difficulties and the steps I need to take to create a better situation for myself and my children. I am going back to school in two weeks and have set a goal for myself of being in my new, and completely unrelated field, within two years.