I'm considering asking my employer for time off work, either in the form of less hours (by working part-time) or a leave of absence. This is mainly because of stress in my current job. It's a call center with the usual high turnover; my department in particular has 20 people and has averaged one person per month for the last year and half. Many other factors make it a less than ideal place to work. I figure with the extra time off I can recuperate and look for a better job.

I'd like to speak to my HR rep about what my options are, but I'm concerned about how much information I should divulge since it might get back to my manager, and I'd like to keep this under wraps until I get more informed. I'm mostly concerned about losing my benefits if I worked less than full-time hours, although I think my mental health is more important than the money I'd save at the dentinst. I'd appreciate any advice on how to best go about this.

If you opt for less hours per week in order to look for another job you may just end up working less hours in the future. If you opt for a leave of absence you may end up not having a job to come back to. If you are worried about losing your benefits you may not get any benefits at a new job. Best to rethink your entire scenerio and be happy you have a job to go to. You can ask to work different shifts (if you have more than one shift available) and use that time to look for another job. I worked at a busy catalog call center but hardly made zip but did have some kind of benefits but I worked second shift which enabled me to look for work in the mornings or early afternoons. This worked out well for me as I got another job near my home. Just remember getting another job is hard work and demands more of your time than you think.

What is the stress you are having at your current positiion? Is this an outgoing call center or an incoming call center? I've worked both and I like both equally. They have their pros and cons but basically I like to talk to different people on the phone and interact with them. You may have to change the way you think about your job in order to cope until you get another job. I presently work with outgoing calls cold calling complete strangers most times. I look at it as a challenge.

If you are really really good ( I assume you sell ?) so if you are really good, make more than your quotas they will most likely work with you on part time to keep a ace seller.

If you are average or below average, they may not care. These places are used to turn over, expect it even

My guess anything you say to HR will be talked over with the manager within hours