This is so true. My work place is very strange. There is always something to do. There are always ways to make your job better and to help our customers. However, if you actually watch what is going here on most business people would scream. We have people who are habitually late, leave early, sleep, surf the net, talk very loud (they get upset when you tell them that they do), and talk on the phone for more than half the day to family and friends. This is not an exaggeration. I have spoken to the bosses but they are buddies with these people and I the only word that is given is that it is being worked. It is hard to imagine it being worked when they are the ones to get the raises and promotions while others in the same area are trod upon.

It does keep me up at night but there is little use in bringing home the issues of your work… I have learned to leave work and work… It does help me sleep.

I worked at a well known space industry location. Some of the nasty, hateful, backstabbing people ruined it for everyone. This little cabal of individuals systematically targeted their victim. They did it to me and two other women. The people would set up the victim for failure. Then they would trash the victim’s reputation. This it made it impossible to transfer out of the department. I suspect one of the victims tried to kill herself on two occasions (her husband was also a piece of work), another victim was finally fired, and this victim (me), found a job far, far away with another compnay. HR knew what was going on, but the good ole boy network was doin’ overtime. My doctor medicated me for depression and anxiety. I gained a lot of weight and my health in general declined. I make less money now, but spend less on medical bills, and feel like a person again. I wouldn’t wish that treatment on any one.

Ever since I moved to Arizona, I find the work ethic slightly different from the big cities; it seems that some management of various corporations seem to embrace laziness and stupidity–because it does not threaten their own jobs. They would prefer an employee to be seen and not heard.

But if you are smart, a go-getter (without stepping on peoples toes and diplomatic) , hardworking and expedite things rapidly, you are looked down upon. They seem to come down harder on the ones that work the hardest.

I have had meetings with coworkers who did not show up for meetings claiming they forgot because it was a long weekend, even though they have it registered on their treo. Others would attend meetings and afterwards, would leave and spend the rest of the day shopping. Some would leave on Friday and happy hour would start at 1:00 p.m. And lastly, if you need an answer from your coworker regarding an issue and/or resolution, you will get it the day after tomorrow or never. Sometimes, I have to send numerous e-mails for an employee response. That is why I cannot sleep at night!

Having worked in a fairly high stress job (US Postal Service) for over 24 years, I have had my share of sleepless nights. Emotional as well as physical stress caused a lot of insomnia, but the worst was due to undue stress caused by a tyranical boss. Talking with your spouse sometimes helps, but try not to burden them with your troubles as well.