I hate working/my job!!!

[newyearnewwhat]

I've nc as I don't want to out myself as this is something I only really talk to dh about.
I'm due back at work on Wednesday and feel sick and anxious at the thought of it. I feel ill.
It's a poorly paid job in education. I'm good at it, I don't find it hard but feel stuck with no prospect of doing anything else until I retire.
Really I just like being at home (disclaimer, I'm very sociable, do lots with dc and friends etc) but during working hours I'd happily just potter around the house while dh and the dc are at work/school. I honestly wouldn't feel unfulfilled, I'd be blissfully happy. Is this because my job isn't fulfilling? I'm guessing it is but I literally have very few options and at 47, feel so so trapped

Eastie, has a pay rise come with it?

I suppose they can change a title if it's meaningless but they can't change a job description etc? Given the general level of crazy in the workplace, is it possible it just got changed by someone following orders..?

OP I have a feeling this will turn out to be a really useful and supportive thread for a lot of people.

I hope you are feeling okay

eastie77 you could put in a request for parental leave rather than unpaid leave? They can still refuse it if they have a "business reason" but as it's a statutory entitlement rather than a company benefit they may be less likely to do so.

Grace payrises are only awarded once a year at a specific point (after annual reviews) and never at any other time, even if you change role. The new title relates to a completely completely different job so they would have to change my job description as well. All this aside, I can't understand how they can make this change without notifying me but guess I will find out what is going on tomorrow. The organisational diagram for my department still shows I have the same direct reports but the space where my manager was listed is now blank

Goodorbad thanks for the advice, I actually immediately followed up HR's response with a request for info about Parental Leave. It turns out I couldn't take unpaid leave until I've used up all of my PTO anyway and I have 30 days to take this year.

OP I think a lot of us could have written your thread. A mixture of Jan blues, juggling childcare and elder care, age (I'm 40's like many others). It all feels like a big fat waste of time. No advice just sympathy. I was considering launching a new side business but I think the Brexit shitshow and general uncertainty makes it a shrewd time to watch and wait.

Eastie, let us know how it goes.

I've always felt a bit suspicious with some of these "follow your passion" types. I am on a break at the moment as I took redundancy. On Friday I had someone get in touch about a newish business they are running, to see if I might do some freelance work for them. The business looks incredibly professional - however, I've just found out the rate of pay - about half my usual - and looked up the accounts on the companies house website.

this person is following their passion for sure - but the company doesn't appear to be making much money. I'm sure they really enjoy their work, but I wonder how long it can go on. I'm saying no on the basis of the pay btw!! I think the business is subbed by their parents who are named as directors. I think they would be fun to work for, but it's not a future.

How is everyone doing? It's almost the end of the most depressing month so hopefully things are a bit brighter for some of you. My manager had to take unexpectedly early paternity leave as his wife had their baby early so I'm still none the wiser re. my 'new' role.

Grace - I think you have to be incredibly lucky to follow your true passion and make money. As you have found, I think most people who are able to do this are subsidised by wealthy parents, trust funds etc. This is very rarely mentioned in the glossy 'follow your dream' articles you see in magazines. When the founders of these types of businesses talk about not making a profit for 3 years yet still managing to pay a mortgage, run a household with kids etc you realise it is only possible because they have additional help.