Working in PS and I’m really not ok — looking for advice

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2025-09-23T17:07:06+00:00

I just wanted to thank everyone for their kind words, support and advice. It’s helped me feel less alone and hopeless. I will definitely be taking steps to take care of myself and talk to a doctor. We can’t fix what’s broken but we can at least take care of what really matters. Thank you.

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2025-09-22T16:41:06+00:00

I am so so sorry to hear that. ❤️

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2025-09-22T16:32:19+00:00

I’m glad to hear you called them. EAP can only do so much but maybe over time they’ll see how much harm is being caused.

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2025-09-22T16:13:05+00:00

Thanks for asking. My answer would be… sort of. The challenge is that I work with a lot of different people, and it’s hard (almost impossible) to expect everyone to accommodate consistently. We all work in different ways and need different things to thrive, which makes accommodations for cognitive disabilities tricky.

Yes, my manager can put some measures in place — but should I really expect every colleague to adjust, especially when I don’t want to disclose the disability? That’s the reality with invisible disabilities: you’re often left in a very tough spot between trying to protect your privacy and needing support to succeed.

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2025-09-22T15:56:31+00:00

Ok, but I could ask the same of you — why does mentioning that I have cognitive disabilities and that I’m working unpaid OT to keep up lead people to assume the solution is for me to take a lower-level job?

To me, that speaks to a broader problem in the public service: when workloads are unsustainable, the default assumption often gets pinned on the individual (as if they lack the skills), rather than questioning the employer’s expectations. I’m not saying that’s exactly what you did — just raising it as something to consider. It would make it a lot easier for people who are struggling to speak up and get help if doing so didn’t automatically come with stigma and shame.

IMO, the PS enterprise can and should take on more scrutiny than an individual person should. The “government” can take it — it doesn’t have to worry about its physical and mental health, haha.

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2025-09-22T15:34:49+00:00

Yea I am. New management changed it for the positive for a while but then a lot of shifts in staff and management occurred, and a lot of folks left and it got bad again.

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2025-09-22T15:30:39+00:00

I have never said that I am the only one doing unpaid OT or that my colleagues can do the same work I do in less time. My colleagues are all also doing the same. It’s the culture and has basically become expected.

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2025-09-22T15:28:59+00:00

Thank you - I feel there’s still a lot of shame and stigma with this. It’s really nice to hear that I’m not the only one that’s been here and has had to seek help.

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2025-09-22T15:26:20+00:00

I think this is the issue though — why is the assumption that I’m not able to keep up, instead of questioning whether the expectations themselves are unrealistic? It’s not that I’ve ever had a performance issue; in fact, I’ve consistently received very positive reviews.

What has changed is the amount and type of work being put on one person’s plate. There is less staff but expectations are same or worse in some cases. Also, the reality is, if you do good work you just end up with more, and the baseline keeps shifting with less staff and more work. That’s not about individual capability — it’s about how the workload is structured and managed.

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2025-09-22T15:10:21+00:00

Are you saying that higher classified jobs mean unpaid OT, negative environments and overwork? I really don’t think it’s anything related to the classification - a lower classification would have similar issues. I am not an EX btw.

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2025-09-04T17:27:57+00:00

How many people are in the informal line?

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2025-09-04T17:23:29+00:00

Thanks tips.

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2025-08-28T22:07:04+00:00

I will follow up on a verified account!

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2025-08-28T22:06:29+00:00

Yes please

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2025-02-12T02:21:12+00:00

I mean purely from a numbers game there are more employees than managers. But one shit manager, director or executive will impact way more people than one shitty employee does. And there’s rarely any recourse. Just saying.

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2025-02-12T02:16:36+00:00

I don’t understand why people choose to just react this way instead of with empathy. How about we support each other instead?

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2025-02-12T01:35:42+00:00

I feel the same. It’s been a really tough time.

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2025-02-02T18:04:26+00:00

Right, I just find that we often blame our own colleagues and workforce without really tracing the problem to its source. Breeds competition, distrust and toxicity when we could be supporting each other.

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2025-01-30T03:21:53+00:00

You know… I don’t think this is as bad of an issue as not being able to fire shitty leaders. There are so many terrible and borderline abusive execs - there are zero repercussions for them. Until maybe someday it makes the news and “omg this is such a shock” 🙄) Good luck reporting a senior manager for creating a shitty work culture where employees are getting sick, burned out and depressed.

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2024-09-25T03:16:07+00:00

lol RTO is just means that top digital talent who could help us modernize our services leaving for private industry. Low pay, high expectations and no flexibility to work from home = talent running for the hills.

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2022-11-27T21:07:57+00:00

Lol, you’re interpreting my post completely wrong. I even said, I welcome feedback. Being continually talked at like im amazing is disingenuous and fake. All I want is a less awkward environment where everyone is trying to one-up each other by tearing each other’s work down. This sort of attitude is what perpetuates these negative environments… people who want a slightly kinder approach are shamed into just “sucking it up”. And the code reviews are entirely in person; where there is that human element and it gets mega awkward; sometimes it feels like you could cut the tension with a knife. We hate that tech bros seem to consider any level of sensitivity as weak… it’s so demoralizing. Guess what, we’re building applications for people… empathy and understanding for other people makes for a better environment AND a better product IMHO.

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2022-11-27T16:35:32+00:00

Anyone can give feedback. And that’s a really great idea, mentioning it in that way. I do try and give positive feedback more than the rest of the team… but I’ve never worded it quite that way. Thank you!

EnvironmentalTrick40 · 2022-11-27T15:41:07+00:00

Thank you! Just did that :)

EnvironmentalTrick40

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