I wake up dreading work – how can I move forward & look after my mental health? Karren Brady gives career advice

APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions.

Here, Karren gives advice to a reader who feels trapped in their job and wants to move forward.

Q) I’ve been in my job for over a year and my boss recently put me on a support plan.

My role is mostly remote and I feel that on many occasions my manager has ignored me, denied me training opportunities and treated me differently from other colleagues – picking me up on the smallest mistakes.

I wake up each day dreading work and it is now making me ill.

However, I feel really trapped in my job, as I need to pay the rent.

How can I move forward, while also looking after my mental health?

Name withheld

A) I’m sorry to hear that you’re feeling trapped and dreading work, as that’s definitely not how a job should make you feel.

Have you spoken with your manager about the reasons behind the support plan?

From what you’ve described, it seems like you may not be receiving the help you should be, so this could be an opportunity for you to also speak up and document the support you think you need.

A calm, open conversation could help clarify expectations on both sides and let you express how this situation is impacting both your performance and wellbeing.

It might also be helpful to talk to colleagues to see if they’ve noticed similar issues or have any advice.

Sometimes, getting other perspectives can help validate your feelings and give you confidence in addressing the matter.

If after that, things don’t improve, it might be time to evaluate your options.

If you are concerned about your mental health, you should seek advice from your GP as a matter of priority.

There are also many organisations ready to help, so visit Mentalhealth.org.uk.

No job is worth sacrificing your wellbeing.

Prioritise yourself and, if you need to, consider exploring other opportunities.

• Got a careers question for Karren? Email bossingit@fabulousmag.co.uk.