[Mountaindewed]

My work station is a mess. Only a few people know how to do a specific job that will make my work station less messy. It’s very hard to maneuver around there. I have lost my balance several times. Today I was having a difficult time moving boxes around because of the mess. Tonight I noticed a very large bruise forming on my arm. It looks like it’s going to take up half my arm. I’m guessing it’s from the trouble I’m having with my work station.

I’m not one to complain, and my managers appreciate this, but I feel like this is becoming an issue and a safety concern. Someone was supposed to clean up yesterday. I don’t know what happened.

Maybe if I just casually showed the manager my arm and said “look at this? It’s from moving these boxes with all this stuff in the way.” She’d kind of get the hint. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Little Lulu]

Maybe you don't need to be vague but just step up and tell the manager you would be more productive and safer if your work area was tidy. Managers are all about productivity as I am sure you already know :-) It isn't complaining, just pointing out the obvious in a nice way.

[healingme4me]

I agree about being less vague. Point out how you leave your work station when you do finish and point out how long it is taking you to clean it upon entering which slows you down.
As far as bruises, it can be par for the course in labor jobs? Are you getting enough iron in your daily nutrition?

I wouldn’t just passively show the boss my arm in hopes they will get the hint. I would just say outright the mess back there is a safety concern and it’s hard to do my job with all the stuff in the way.

[Mountaindewed]

I didn’t mention it to a manager since the managers have been avoiding the backroom like the plague and are not actually around. My coworkers assume they are just ignoring the issue altogether. But my coworker asked me how I can move around and I told her I can’t and it’s starting to become a safety issue. I then showed her my arm. She agreed that management really needs to get on top of things. This coworker got told today and then told the rest of us that management is basically telling us too bad and there’s nothing they can or will do to lighten the pressure or stress on us. I mean, maybe at least they can clean up then? My coworkers are just as stressed as I am and are equally as hard on themselves. They got asked to work tomorrow. They forgot to ask me. But they probably thought they did. My coworkers have realized how stressed I’ve been. One coworker told me not to pick up extra hours If I can’t handle it. I like how they look out for me.

[MickeyCheeky]

((((Mountaindewed)))) I'm sorry you're struggling at work. I'm glad at least your coworkers are being nice to you. It sucks that management won't do anything about it, especially since it's about your safety.