It's like Mardi Gras meets the bombing of Dresden...
Monday, August 07, 2006
Work Related Stress
I've been back at work for two days now since my mini-vacation, and every time I hand someone a credit card receipt to sign (which is pointless), I've been fantasizing about stabbing them in the eye with the pen. Why? I've spent the morning researching psychological stress regarding environments, and I've been surprised (not happily) by the fact that the Wikipedia torture article has had much more relevant information about my work environment than a site like MindTools. Unfortunately, my immediate work environment contains roughly ten stressors that qualify as psychological or physical torture. The list:

1) Extended Solitary Confinement- I'm working on a ten hour day today, with only momentary contact with other coworkers, mainly when they come in to grab a drink out of our Coke machine, which emits-

2) Constant Low Frequency sound- In this case, the annoying hum of a compressor, which runs constantly, filling the-

3) Confined Space- ,which happens to be a monochromatic, doublewide trailer, with its mindless buzzing. Furthermore, the trailer is constantly experiencing-

4) Alterations to Room Temperature- It can be hot and humid, much like our disconnected outside bathroom, or freezing cold, depending on sudden changes in the outside temperature and irregular changing of the thermostat. Bad, but much worse is the-

5) Shaming and Public Humiliation- which is predominantly self-imposed due to the fact that I'm a glorified counter clerk. Yes, I'm ashamed of what I do.

6) Constant, Irregular, Annoying Stimuli- which is provided by ringing telephones, five ringing telephones. It rings all day, every day, and is exacerbated by the fact that every conversation is exactly the same, driving me insane with it's mindless repetition.

7) Poor Lighting- In our 800 sq ft. trailer, we have no less than 16 five foot long fluorescent lights, which have been shown in numerous experiments to have adverse effects on humans.

8) Sensory deprivation- Not in the sense that there is nothing for my senses to process, but by the fact that there is nothing meaningful for my senses to interpret. Just annoying sound, harsh light, and extreme boredom. Here comes a killing spree...

9) Poor Ergonomics- This isn't in Wikipedia, but the fact that the keyboard and mouse are in the most inconvenient position (with no room on the desk to make them better, believe me, I've tried) and the the computer is my only diversion, AND being forced to stand for hours on end behind the counter since we have Judas Chairs instead of stools- -has to count for something (we have stools, but they aren't much better). Not only that, but the counter is located at the only place in the golf shop where I can't look out a window- somewhere, right now, the creator of the Hawthorne studies is rolling in his grave.

10) I'm poorly compensated, and my job lacks any real meaning.

In conclusion, I can't decide whether to pray to John McCain or OSHA to come rescue me.

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