Physical & Emotional Abuse Support Group
Abuse is a general term for the treatment of someone that causes some kind of harm (to the abused person, to the abusers themselves, or to someone else) that is unlawful or wrongful. No one deserves abuse, period. Abuse can be emotional, physical, or sexual.
Long story short: I'm a peer support specialist which means I work with people recovering from mental illness to get them out into the community more, and one of my clients is incredibly triggering for me. He reminds me a lot of my abusive brother, but when I went to my supervisors with this concern, they said: "it just sounds like you don't want to work." (Because I had to turn away a previous client because of his abusive nature as well.) This current client is antisocial, exhausting to be around, and making my PTSD worse. Peer support is supposed to be a therapeutic relationship that's built on equality and it's just impossible with this person. And advice?? (I no longer trust my supervisors, that's for sure.) (Bawled my eyes out yesterday because of their lack of support.)
That "independent" contractor title is a big deal. It's the difference between a guaranteed salary and taking whoever they give you, vs their ability to drop you on a dime, and your ability to pick and choose.
If they throw that line about "getting out of work" at you again, just reply:
"Exactly. My ability to know and set my own boundaries is a huge part of being good at this job."