Still having to go to work with not a thing to do

[chickennugget2]

I work for the nhs - admin. My usual service had died right down there's not a thing left to be done there although they've still got 1 member of staff there to mind the phones. I've been sent to another department where there was also nothing to do so I got sent somewhere else and the reason I had been sent there, the job is already being done by 4 people. I thought I'd give it a few more days, it has been a full week and I've done a maximum of 2 hours work in a 40 hour week. The offices are massively crowded, no such thing as social distancing and multiple different people in and out all day.

I've constantly informed managers I haven't got anything to do, is there anything I can be doing, but it's either a no or a 2 second task. It's been the longest few weeks of my life and I've just sat and sat bored out my brains it's absolutely soul destroying. My own manager isn't bothered, just tells me to speak to manager of service I'm at but I've done that more times than I can count. I need the money as I'm the only one bringing income at the moment but I'm risking my life to sit on my arse all day doing nothing. There's no other jobs out there in my area, I've looked. Where can I go from here before I lose the will to live?

Bump

Presumably this is temporary and you will be back to your usual role when this is over?

I’d just take a book. I bet they’ll find you something to do if they find you sitting at your desk reading!

I've got nothing to do.
I'm very bored,
I'm reading my book or listening to audio books

When I was temping and I asked for stuff to do no one seemed to take me seriously. When I was very obviously played minesweeper suddenly tasks were found.

Are there any courses you could do online at coursera.org? A lot of US colleges have put more stuff online.

My work is very quiet at the moment, no more than two hours of work a day.

I’m taking the opportunity to write my dissertation. I’d been panicking about how I was going to do it while working full time so I’m grateful for the downtime.

As far as I'm aware it is temporary but my main job isn't very busy anyway. I am in the middle of reading a good book actually which I've just been reading on my lunch break so that's an idea. Yes I don't feel like I'm being taking seriously whatsoever being an admin. I'm also currently doing a business course but have been struggling a bit with my latest assignment, I've tried to do that whilst at work but it's so loud it's hard to concentrate, everywhere's crowded and I normally find it much easier to do it in quiet. I just want to feel productive and like I'm actually helping out.

That most be so frustrating! And very annoying to hear that there are staff with nothing to do given the situation.

If you're the only one earning you can't exactly kick up a fuss in case you talk your way out of a job. Could you help your colleagues with anything? That's the only thing I can suggest.

You'd think they'd just send us home due to the current situation and absolutely nothing to do, but the NHS would laugh if you suggested that

I'm in an admin role though not in the NHS. I'm the same absolutely nothing to do but I am WFH, in practice this means logging onto my laptop at home, checking my email every now and then and drinking too much coffee in my garden. I'm fully expecting to get furloughed very soon (sad)

Could you volunteer to assist with more clinical duties. I know some admin staff that are volunteering on wards.

Conversely I am rushed off my feet. Not enough hours in the day and I'm being made redundant!

I think in your shoes, I would try and find some courses to do online to fill in the hours.

@fairybatman I would be willing to do anything, however even the clinical staff are bored with very little to do, so there isn't a need for me clinical wise either

@yorkshire I'm really sorry to hear that! I hope you manage to find something else within your role. It's such an uncertain and worrying time

Maybe you could be redeployed temporarily in a hospital setting? I know that is happening in some areas at this time.

That must be really frustrating especially working in the NHS and wanting to help.

I'm in a slightly similar situation, classified as a keyworker because my job which is predominantly health and safety and property inspections falls within the "care" side of the business. I have none of that work to do now and I'm working from home with a couple hours work a day to do apparently on "standby" for any essential work ie delivering prescriptions to our care homes which I've had none of yet. All the while my daughter is in nursery as my husband is a genuine key worker and it's completely farcical, I'd rather be furloughed.

Take some time to do something as others have suggested such as an online course, I'll be doing some of my dissertation next week I think x

My mum works for the nhs and has been moved to a different department because where she normally works isn’t active at the moment, they’ve also reduce her to 3 days a week (normal pay) so it does happen.

Maybe try the health angle, with so many in the office exposing you along with the lack of work.

NHS and same here. I've helped with all the normal tasks and printed off every item we usually use in admin so it is all stocked up, tidied the stationery cupboards, stockrooms and reception areas, wiped down the waiting room twice a day. The day is so long when there is nothing to do.

@StormyLovesOdd

Can you be furloughed if you can WFH?

OP I could have written this! I'm in the same position, NHS, I have to go in and spend 8 hours doing next to nothing! It's incredibly dull and the days drag!! And we also have the added fun of, are we going to catch coronavirus whilst at work
I have no suggestions, but it won't be forever (one way or another)

There is nothing worse than having nothing to do at work, the days drag. Could you do something like make bags for staff to put their scrubs in or those button ear protectors? At least you would be doing something productive.

I'm NHS and I have put my Admin staff on a rota where they get to spend part of their week at home, minimising risk for them and reducing staff numbers in offices to enable the 2 metre rule.
I still expect them to check emails and keep up to date with online Mandatory Training.

So there's a few of us in the same situation and I bet loads more! It's madness, they know we have nothing at all it's clear they aren't interested in staffs health. It's ok for my managers though as they get to work from home. I'm going to have to mention it again on Monday as it's just constantly on my mind.

@opinionminion that's a great idea for your staff and I wish all managers would follow that. My colleague mentioned that weeks ago we should be on a rota to come in rather than everyday doing nothing.

Well this is a crisis that is going to highlight the unintelligent and jobsworth-type managers from the useful ones, isn't it?

This is why the NHS needs streamlined after this. It’s not the fact it’s not properly funded, it’s the jobs that exist that don’t need to

@Crunchymum yes, I have been furloughed and I work from home. There just isn’t the work!

OP I’m sorry you’re bored but tbh I’d make the most of being employed

You say even clinical staff have nothing to do? That’s quite shocking.