[Rant/Question] Temporary Recruitment is Taking a Toll on My Mental Health

Location: England, UK

Having spent the last 1.5 years working at a temporary recruitment agency, I can honestly say that this job has severely impacted my mental health and personal life. For some context, I’m a recent graduate, finishing university in 2023, and this was my first foray into recruitment. Prior to this, I worked in various roles—hospitality, healthcare assistance, and administration—and none of those experiences were nearly as stressful as this.

The company primarily focuses on sourcing temporary staff for seasonal and short-term positions, mainly in warehouses.

Here are some of the major stressors I encounter regularly:

  • Unrealistic Expectations: Candidates are treated as if they’re on permanent contracts, even though most will likely never receive one. Meanwhile, the agency’s approach is inconsistent: some days there’s work for them, and other days they’re left at home.

  • Picky Warehouse Management: Warehouse management is excessively selective about the staff we provide. They often give no opportunity for the workers to learn and will terminate their shifts for what they consider ‘poor performance’, despite not taking available candidates into account.

  • Discrimination: I’ve witnessed rampant sexism and racism in the warehouse. I’ve heard comments like “they need a man, not a woman” and seen specific requests for Polish or Romanian candidates based on the assumption that language barriers are preferable. This discriminatory behavior is frustrating, especially as a woman, and I’ve seen people of color being dismissed after just one shift.

  • Holiday Limitations: During peak periods, including June, taking time off longer than one day is nearly impossible. I’m limited to using my vacation days over just eight months rather than the full year, and only one person from our small office can take time off at any given moment.

  • Overwhelming Workload: My hours are from 8 AM to 5 PM with a 1-hour paid lunch, but due to the workload, many of my colleagues don’t even take their lunch breaks. There’s no structured time for breaks; we have to step away if we can, regardless of how busy things are.

  • On-call Duties: I’m required to be on call, responsible for answering phones day and night. Warehouse management and job seekers frequently misuse this, expecting immediate responses regardless of the hour. This on-call duty is outlined in my contract, yet it feels more like a burden than a responsibility.

  • Lack of Support: My colleagues are dedicated workaholics who often dismiss any issues that arise. I had to plead for a new laptop that had been malfunctioning for six months. Their attitude is that work should be the top priority, which creates a toxic atmosphere.

To put it simply, this situation feels overwhelming.

I’m seriously considering leaving this role—it’s been a terrible experience. I’m curious: does your experience in recruitment mirror mine, or am I just particularly unlucky? Please, be honest with me.