A co-worker I’ve grown close with told me today she’s feeling suicidal because of the stress from Geico. She feels trapped since she can’t afford to quit and is way too drained to even think about applying somewhere else. It’s like they’re purposely making things unbearable. She’s a great employee who doesn’t deserve this. Management won’t stop harassing us over some new pointless goal every week, and it’s just too much. I’m scared something really bad might happen if this pressure keeps building up. I’m lucky to have another job lined up starting in December, but I feel heartbroken for everyone else who feels stuck in this nightmare. It’s so sad 
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The most important thing right now is to make sure she knows where to get help. Encourage her to reach out to a professional and remind her that if it feels unbearable, going to the hospital is always an option. No job is worth this.
This is exactly why workers need to start organizing. I keep hearing the same stories across other insurance companies.
I work at Farmers, and the same thing is happening here. It feels like everyone is just waiting to get fired, and morale is completely gone. Even managers seem miserable, but instead of helping, they take it out on us. The worst part is the higher-ups seem to enjoy it. One time, someone asked about burnout and work-life balance, and they literally laughed at us. They said no one has work-life balance. It’s like some twisted nightmare you can’t escape.
What department are you in at Farmers?
Make sure she has people around her for support, whether it’s a helpline or a resource like Headspace. There really needs to be a place where employees can report what Geico is doing to them. I heard things were bad even five or seven years ago, long before the pandemic. I saw people getting sick in the bathroom and breaking down at their desks. Managers would tell multiple employees they were the worst in the department just to scare them into working harder. I even knew someone who almost took their life because of it. Back then, at least people had other positions they could transfer into before layoffs started.
Tell her to ask her doctor for medical leave. She can get up to 12 weeks off, and she really needs a break. While she’s on leave, she can start looking for new jobs. Meditation apps like Headspace are really helpful for managing stress. I hope she can get through this.
I feel like so many people are on the edge, just barely holding on. Last year, I found myself wishing it would all just end. But then I realized that would mean Geico wins. The best way to beat them is to leave and find a job where you’re treated like a human being, not some robot that gets timed on bathroom breaks.
Working in claims is like living in constant stress. Nobody wants to deal with us because it means something bad happened in their life. I’ve worked for three different insurance companies, always hoping the next one will be better, but claims will never be perfect. There are just too many cases and not enough staff.
I know how your co-worker feels… I’m also at a point where death seems like it might be a way out 
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I ended up in the hospital because of the stress. But trust me, there really is life on the other side. Things do get better.
This whole thing where they fire people based on percentages is only going to destroy them in the long run. So many folks have already quit. Don’t forget, you are worth something, and there are people who care about you. Just collect your paycheck and enjoy your time at home, where the bills are paid and you can finally breathe.