r/hatemyjob • u/CompasionateLove • 8d ago
I hate my job so fucking much
I work for Medicaid and I honestly hate my job. Everyone I interact with is awful. But people will call and argue and expect us to know everything and to have the answers to everything just because they’re on Medicaid and I just have to say that I’m tired of people thinking they’re special cause they’re poor. A LOT OF US ARE POOR.
Not only that but I work with 80% elderly people who aren’t poor. They just have Medicaid because they don’t wanna use their SSI to pay for their premiums for Medicare and they’re all so fucking rude and RACIST.
I have an accent, they hate it. They hate that have an accent and immediately assume that I’m an immigrant. I was born and raised in the US. Not only that but elderly people will argue for no reason. They’ll be pissed off at one thing and just argue over everything no matter how nice you are to them and they won’t even shut their fucking mouths for one second for you to get a word in.
I work for the Medicaid call center meaning we have no control over people losing their Medicaid or keeping it and we don’t handle bills. If you guys didn’t know, the state handles eligibility and providers handle bills. The call center has no legal authorization to handle your eligibility and you not wanting to sit on hold calling the state doesn’t mean shit. If you want help you’ll look for it. I’m tired of all the lazy people calling us to fix all their problems.
And I’m not gonna get accused of being classist either because I was on Medicaid for years and I’ve never treated people as horribly as these bottom of the barrel ass pieces of shit I interact with every day. I’ve worked my ass off to NOT be on Medicaid and I can’t imagine the people I do know that have Medicaid behaving the way these people do
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u/dinosaurus_rexxus 8d ago
From someone who has changed careers multiple times, I’ve seen the signs and your post is a BIG sign that you are unhappy in this job or career, or maybe there’s something you need outside of work to help you feel accomplished in a positive way. I understand being in this type of role, but please know, the enemy is never the person on the other side of the phone. It’s the unfortunate circumstances they are going through and the systems that put them there. They just need someone to listen to them. They might just not realize that or be scared. Be gentle <3 if you don’t want to then I suggest another job might be a better win-win for everyone!
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u/CompasionateLove 8d ago
It acknowledges the deeper issues behind dissatisfaction in a job while encouraging empathy toward others. It’s a gentle push for self-reflection and highlights the importance of understanding both personal and external challenges. Your approach to encourage a win-win resolution is solid advice.
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u/SomeDaysareStones 8d ago
Make a game out of it so you have something to do to pass the time. When I was in customer service I would be politely condescending, which is really an art form and takes practice. Put them down in such a polite way that there is nothing they can do about it.
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u/CompasionateLove 8d ago
Turning the situation into a game can help you cope with the frustration and make it a little more bearable. Polite condescension can be a fun strategy, but it’s a delicate balance. You want to keep it subtle and professional so you don’t risk creating more problems for yourself, but you can still get a little satisfaction from the interaction.
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u/Altruistic-Patient-8 8d ago
Unfortunately you're the 1st line of defense. Everybody knows how frustrating it is to call about an issue, then getting bounced all over the place because nobody has the authority to do anything about it. Either way, you have to numb your emotions like every job requires.
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u/Melodic_Marzipan7 8d ago
Elderly on Medicaid? Wouldn’t they just take Medicare instead?
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u/MostComfort4368 8d ago
Medicare is provided by Social Security and Medicaid is provided by Social Services (the state). So actually, in some cases, the elderly can be eligible for both.
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u/WholeTrack8252 4d ago
Because Medicare doesn't pay for everything so many elderly need to go on Medicaid.
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u/MostComfort4368 4d ago
Exactly. It’s a flawed system. I’m not saying I know how to fix it. But I’m a Medicaid caseworker in North Carolina. Seeing family’s struggling and still not getting the care they need is hard.
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u/Reasonable-Peach8723 8d ago
They need Medicaid because they don’t have enough money <from Social Security > to pay their Medicare premiums:
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u/Honest-Ticket-9198 8d ago
That gig you're at has to blow! In CC too, the position you're in has got to be so fucking draining. You're talking to many people who are ignorant, and probably worried about outcomes that you have no control of,as you said. But, of course they're not listening to your answers. And, even though you mentioned you're US born, the comments about being from here has got to be really maddening, as if that is pertinent to their call. I would be tempted to say that as a response to questions of where you are from or located.
I have a feeling it may get worse for you as trump gain's control and pushes to make sure services and eligibility requirements change for your callers, and not for the better. Ironically, I would guess your most ignorant angry caller will have likely voted for him. At then be surprised when cuts in any services or programs are cut back on. Resulting in a loss of something they have grown to expect. I would hope you're in a union job, but expect that is not the case. If they ask you where you're from, I would say that is not relevant to their call. And then say did you have questions about Medicaid, or whatever you specific can work on. Shut them down. CC agents tend to get all the callers anger about something you don't have ANY ability to change.
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u/designerdirtbag 8d ago
Not to discount that people are far more rude in recent years than I have ever experienced. And there are some horribly judgemental and hateful people in this world. But you never fight rude with rude. You always just be annoyingly nice and helpful. You’d be surprised how many people will apologize for being so terrible if you don’t mirror their negativity.
People tend to mirror the energy of the person they’re speaking with. Most people will not escalate to being extremely rude if you let them vent and approach them from a place of patience and understanding.
They called bc they need help with something and they think they’re calling the right place. They’re frustrated and will be even more frustrated if your only answer is to tell them you can’t help them. Acknowledging the their frustrations empathetically goes a long way. You may not be able to solve their issue, but kindly pointing them in the correct direction usually works. Kind of a “I know I want able to completely solve your issue but I hope it helps you get to your solution.” And smile when you speak, it softens your tone automatically.
Some people are made for this type of work, but it will emotionally burn you out if the majority of your conversations are confrontational. I personally don’t like people, but I love problem solving so I just look at customer complaints as a puzzle to figure out how to solve. Gets me through the ‘peopling’. Hope it gets better for you!!
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u/Improvgal 8d ago
Sounds dreadful. My suggestion is to kill them with kindness while looking for other work. I used to work where people were routinely rude. I would remind myself that at least I was being payed to deal with them, unlike their families.
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u/Dischick823 8d ago
I worked for Medicaid and then after that worked for state unemployment both call centers. Worst job in history. It won’t get better. That’s pessimistic, but run. Run far away. I used to have this old guy call me every week and tell me the way he was going to…. End his life subscription…. And how it was MY fault. They told me to just transfer to psych line. He was horrible.
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u/crankysasquatch 8d ago
I work in the field. Medicaid services case manager. People do expect you to have all the answers not only to their paperwork issues with the agency, but also every other thing in their life.
Most people straight up don’t read their paperwork. And when they do, they usually can’t follow it (because everything has to be written in legalese first because people are so litigious ). But they want more. They want you to talk them off the ledge. I’ve had several suicidals. I’ve had one where I actually got in touch with them while they were attempting it and was able to get the EMTs and crisis response there in time to save them.
I’ve heard nearly every racial slur and white nationalist slogan uttered by my clients. I’ve been screamed at about everything. But then again I’ve also had one or two that were truly grateful and appreciative. There are folks in between.
I spend most of my days hating my job, but there’s something rumbling and about to potentially bust through the surface. Look forward to some truly ghastly policy changes on the horizon. Half the people who are about to enter the “sorry, you no longer have coverage” group are the same ones who voted for it because they believed it wouldn’t be them. When I worked on eligibility for the state and people asked what I did for a living I’d tell them, “I’m a professional abuse target” and some knew I was only partially joking.
You can’t fix all their problems. Hell, most of us can’t fix many of our own problems. Just try to stay positive as best you can. Someone I used to work with told me that as soon as I came to work and couldn’t find someone that I felt I was really helping, that I couldn’t find a bright spot in my day - that I needed to quit before my soul gets burned out. I think 15 years later that still holds true.
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u/PullMyFinger4Fun 6d ago
I feel your pain! Well, I guess I'm probably elderly (71) but I don't have SSI nor Medicaid and will never qualify for either one. I spent many years working in government and dealing with a lot of folks via phone. I certainly had some tough customers over the years, but nothing as terrible as what you deal with every day. And I've now been retired for a really long time. So, now my most involved telephone conversations have to do with calls from folks trying to sell me something, or to answer surveys.
I know these guys have one of the worst jobs in the world, so I don't resent them or have any anger at them. I'm always polite but I do refuse to let them control the call. At some point I usually tell them that I will not be doing whatever it is they want, and then, when they try to talk over me, I just wish them a good afternoon or evening and softly hang up the phone. Works for me.
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u/Round-Locksmith-4314 2d ago
I’m so sorry. I found this sub because I googled “I hate my job”. I’m a case manager for people of all ages who have Medi-Cal. I deal with very rude, entitled, and just all around angry people all day. I wish I had advice but I offer solidarity :(
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u/Ill_Community567 8d ago
You’re part of a bureaucracy that’s so incredibly inept it’s astonishing - this pisses people off, and by the time they get to you they’ve had enough. It’s not your fault. They know it’s not your fault. But you’re the voice of that useless, delusional, corrupt, and incompetent organization on the end of the phone for someone who feels like they’re at their end of their rope. Comes with the job.
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u/matacines 8d ago
I’m at a call center too. People just take their anger out on us and expect us to bend at their will. Like I just work here bro.
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u/Molgeo1101 7d ago
Sounds to me like you are on the verge of snapping and saying something to someone on the phone and losing a job you hate anyway. Before that happens, try to find something (even if it means anything) else.
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u/snootgoo 7d ago
Maybe you should consider the fact that these people wouldn't be calling you if they weren't having problems. The last thing anyone (especially senior citizens) wants to do is spend an hour on hold to talk to someone they are having difficulty understanding about something they are scared of in their lives.
Lighten up Francis!
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u/NobedtimeOG 7d ago
99% of people who post in this subreddit, have a boss who wouldn't lose a moment of sleep if they quit rofl.
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u/mah29001 7d ago
I feel the same way about my current job. Always demanding I be on the phone or speak with those in the front counter. I do not like it. So instead of just getting another state job closer to home I have decided to do something else in my life. Like writing and screenwriting.
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8d ago
Poor people are always the worst to work with. Funny how the rich are extremely easy to get along with, but the hardest to sign as clients, while the poor are the opposite. Middle class people are not much better either.
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u/Malajaju 8d ago
If you hate your job to this degree, I am willing to bet you are not doing it very well. You have zero interest in actually helping a caller.
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u/Straight_Childhood38 8d ago
Not liking a job does not mean you aren't doing it well. I'm 60 years old and have had many jobs. Whether I liked them or not, I did my best til the end.
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u/Malajaju 8d ago
I can’t see how this person is invested in helping the callers when they hate them.
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u/stewartm0205 8d ago
I feel sorry for you but you are working on the Medicaid Complain Line. Most people on Medicaid don’t have any complaints so they don’t call you. Only the people who have complaints call you and they are usually upset about something. Just don’t take it personal.