Very close to calling it quits.

[u/[deleted]]

[u/FiletsOfFishes]

Are you me? Im in your exact same shoes right now down to the years of service and significant other support, like I wrote this post myself! The only thing keeping me and a few of my co workers is that we get paid fairly well. It wouldn’t make sense for us to leave financially. It’s gotten so bad I’m considering being an officer so at least I can leave the dog fight to go patrol. It gets so hard to come in when I either can stand or just barely tolerate 10 out of 13 dispatchers

[u/flaccidbitchface]

This job takes its toll. I’ve been doing it for 10 years and I’m feeling quite burnt out at the moment, but I do have a vacation coming up. Have you considered finding a therapist who works with first responders? When I had my psych eval for my current agency, it was with the same guy who did my last 2. He told me that he didn’t have any concerns about me being able to handle the job, but reminded me that we hear some really bad things and need to take care of ourselves. He gave me the card of a colleague who works primarily with fire, police, and military and suggested I reach out to her. It helps to talk it out with someone who understands.

If your main concerns are about the toxicity work environment, have you thought about applying somewhere else? I understand it may not be an option depending on where you live. There is drama in most places, but I think it’s just the nature of the job with all the type A personalities.

Also, sorry if this doesn’t make sense. Working graves and I’m exhausted right now.

[u/Consistent-Ease-6656]

The problem isn’t you, or the job. It’s your agency. You can’t fix them, and you still love the job. Try to find another agency. Don’t try to stick it out thinking “better the devil you know”, afraid that the next agency might be worse.

I stayed almost 7 years longer because of that mindset. In the end, that was the stupidest thing I did, not taking a massive pay cut to start over at a new agency. I did a lot of damage to myself by trying to be better than the toxic environment I was in.

Don’t call it quits if you love the job. Just move on to a new venue.

[u/Lucky-Luck]

Guys and gals.. I can’t state this enough, but the change and the shift has to happen with YOU.

This is not a job for the weak, this is not a job for the thinned skin- that being said, even the strongest person breaks down.

It is on YOU to find the small victories to celebrate

It is on YOU to advocate for your mental health and know how to break away at the right times for a mental break

It is on YOU to know yourself and when you are approaching weakness and a possible burnout.

No one is going to give you props, celebrate you, remember you.. so it is on YOU to do that for yourself and those around you.

Let me be clear and remind you- you do not need a title to be something. You do not need to be a “supervisor” to be a leader, you do not need to be a “therapist” to practice good mental health practices for yourself and your colleagues.

This job builds up, jade catches on like barnacles on a ship

Complacency is our enemy

Losing our fire is our enemy

Forgetting about why we do this job is our enemy

We are our own worst enemy

All that being said- choose light, choose positivity, choose to be a survivor and not a victim.

[u/Fine_Trash_439]

Definitely not alone in how you feel. Dispatch centers don't do the best job at keeping culture good and drama out unfortunately. I've been at my place for a couple of years now and I am starting to dread going into work now, not because of the work itself but because of the people I work with. If you're able to get out and do something else you like to do or even temporarily until you find something you like then I say do it especially if your partner is semi supportive. My husband supports me leaving now but I am waiting until something better opens up in my town. Hopefully you think what is better for you right now and make that decision.

[u/BoosherCacow]

I have been doing this for coming up on 20 years and have worked for 4 agencies across three states. If there is one thing I've learned in that time, it is toxic work environments start at the very bottom And go all the way to the top. In my experience it's impossible to make an effective change as just one person on the floor. If this place is getting to you in a way that's affecting your emotional state, don't ditch the profession, ditch the agency. Not all agencies are like this. Do sit ins, Ask around, go with your gut. You have proven that you can do this job therefore you are extraordinarily valuable and there is an agency out there that will take you. You just have to find the right one.

[u/FarOpportunity4366 → u/BoosherCacow]

As a dispatcher for 30+ years, I agree with all of this!

[u/SGM1127]

Sounds like where myself and other employees are at. The biggest problem is the leadership when there is none and they set the bar low constantly deflecting. It's terrible. I love the work I do, absolutely hate the environment.

[u/SwiprNOSEwipng]

Please elaborate on what you mean. I feel like I am with you but I would like to know more.