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AIBU?

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Original poster

To have pretty much automated 90% of my job and pretend I'm very busy?

262 replies

IroningBoardAgainstTheWall · 09/02/2025 19:53

So, I run a database and predecessor didn't seem to actually understand databases and what they can do so was working 50+hrs and not achieving very much. We'll call him Phil.
I took over and was warned how much work Phil did, he was very busy and he was actually in a retainer in case I needed his help or had any queries over certain tasks. I work in education and there's weekly, half termly, termly and annual tasks, quite cyclic and not difficult.

Within a month I'd automated the daily, weekly and monthly reports, added more useful ones and sent them out. During my first academic year, I'd introduced new systems to automate tasks for others, developed new ways of capturing and reporting data, linked systems to the main MIS to automate account creation and syncing etc

So basically I have very little to do anymore. I do ask for stuff to do, but there's nothing much really. I look for stuff to do but again, there's not much.Occasionally I'll get feature requests or specific reports.

But honestly I do about 4-6 hours of work a week...max, and that includes stuff that isn't really my job, like fixing printers and laptops and stuff.

Should I confess?

OP posts:
HagsRule · 09/02/2025 20:11

Could you ask to go part time? I know it would reduce your pay but it means you'd still get everything done no bother and free up more time to do other stuff, be it hobbies or more training etc.

Original poster
IroningBoardAgainstTheWall · 09/02/2025 20:11

It's independent sector.

OP posts:
Jeansandfleece · 09/02/2025 20:10

Private sector id say go for it.
But if in education I’m assuming it’s public sector so my taxes are subsidising your dossing.

Original poster
IroningBoardAgainstTheWall · 09/02/2025 20:09

Cris1976 · 09/02/2025 20:02

Great going! Maybe work on something else on the side of skill up in the free time? Sand bag it if you want or relish win and do a reveal and impress the higher ups. They may have something else lined up you can do if you like a challenge. Out of interest did you you the Microsoft stack for this (ie Power Automate/query etc)?

Power automate. Reporting Services. Power BI.

And then some API stuff for linking to other services.

OP posts:
delvan · 09/02/2025 20:08

If you don't already, WFH and enjoy the free time. Tap a few keys now and then and wait for the paycheque to plop into your account. Not your fault if you are efficient.

However, if you are bored and deskbound, look around for other inefficiencies and demand a promotion, large payrise to sort it out.

Or just stay schtum. Or move jobs.

What's your best bet?

Original poster
IroningBoardAgainstTheWall · 09/02/2025 20:07

No opportunity for promotion.

Biggest reason not to leave is it's local (7 mins drive), flexible with little daughter, pays well. Easy life really.

Would have to probably travel 45+ minutes, and not get paid much more for my efforts if I moved...

I use my free time reading, planning holidays, life admin, watching TV/films. Bit of training, some extra remote work.

Thinking of doing a few more courses and maybe more consultant work.

OP posts:
MsCactus · 09/02/2025 20:06

GrazeConcern · 09/02/2025 20:03

Tbh I’m not sure - on an individual level I think it’s fine, but it sounds like the sort of efficiency that should be rolled out on a national scale if it’s in education and your methods and procedures should be shared - it’s the kind of thing that could save millions from school budgets at scale.

It's also the kind of thing that could lead to a lot of redundancies

GrazeConcern · 09/02/2025 20:03

Tbh I’m not sure - on an individual level I think it’s fine, but it sounds like the sort of efficiency that should be rolled out on a national scale if it’s in education and your methods and procedures should be shared - it’s the kind of thing that could save millions from school budgets at scale.

Cris1976 · 09/02/2025 20:02

Great going! Maybe work on something else on the side of skill up in the free time? Sand bag it if you want or relish win and do a reveal and impress the higher ups. They may have something else lined up you can do if you like a challenge. Out of interest did you you the Microsoft stack for this (ie Power Automate/query etc)?

partyplanningseason · 09/02/2025 20:02

It really depends on what you want from your job.

Are there opportunities for promotion? Would you want them?

Are you happy doing nothing or is it going to drive you mad?

Could looking for a new, better paid job be an option?

thesandwich · 09/02/2025 20:01

Do you want to progress? Could your orgn offer you to similar as a consultant? On more pay of course…..

hazelnutlatte · 09/02/2025 19:58

I had a job a bit like that once, it was an accounts assistant role and the previous person in the role spent hours every week compiling reports that could just be directly run from the accounts system in minutes.
I did keep asking for extra work to do but eventually just left because I was bored to tears every day.
This was an office based role though. If it was WFH I'm sure I'd have stuck with it a lot longer!