Lockdown has made me realise I hate my job

[LazloBane]

I can't say what I do specifically because it's outing, but essentially I work in the head office of a large company.

Before lockdown was officially declared, staff were wanting to work from home for their own safety and their families safety. My organisation supports working from home - but not in my office because our bosses are all concerned with appearances. It was seen as more important that we were there to prove staff were "safe" at work, than us actually being safe.

Eventually, lockdown was declared and we had to work from home. Our company refused to use the furlough scheme, so everyone has to work at home unless your job doesn't permit working from home, in which case you are being paid in full to do nothing, essentially. Which the bosses complain about 24/7 as if it wasn't their decision.

My workload has probably tripled during lockdown. It's totally unrealistic the amount of work we are expected to do. It's taking a toll on my already suffering mental health. Between the stress and the expectation that we will be tuned into work at all times just because our house is now our workplace is making me miserable.

The truth is I never really enjoyed my job to start with, but it pays well. But this has just made me realise how much I hate it. In particular, I am furious at the way the bosses have managed this whole thing. They have no respect for how hard this situation is on everyone, and they are now talking about how the company will demand the staff return regardless of their circumstances and are completely unsympathetic to how difficult that will be for some people.

I'm miserable and I want to leave, but it was difficult to enough to get this job and I don’t know if I'll be able to find something else. I know sooner rather than later I'll have to go back to the office full time, and the thought is making me feel sick. I just hate it.

I'm not really looking for advice here, I just needed somewhere to vent anonymously. But do let me know if your opinions on your workplace have changed during lockdown, I am interested to hear.

@LazloBane I feel the same about my job currently.

I was putting in double the amount of hours and like you, expected to be available at all times just because we're working from home. I actually didn't mind to begin with because I got on very well with my boss and my team, I was happy to keep things ticking over during this busy period. However this all changed about a month ago when they brought someone in to restructure the company and it's been stripped of everyone I get on with. My stress levels are through the roof and I dread Monday's.

New management seem to think I should count myself lucky because I still have a job, but the pressure and volume of work they're putting on me is immense and I hate it. I find I'm a different person from Sunday night to Friday afternoon because I'm miserable and my partner notices this too. Not that I can really relax at weekends but it's certainly better than normal weekdays.

I keep thinking life is too short to be miserable at work and I should leave, but it's not quite as simple as that. I earn a very good salary that I wouldn't be able to earn elsewhere and also we have been TTC for a couple of months now. That would have to go on hold if leave and start fresh elsewhere.

Ultimately, if there is no sign of it changing, I think the answer has to be to move on. The respect point that you made is very important, if that is the attitude of management now, the likelihood is it'll never improve. Have you looked at vacancies to see what is going currently and wages etc? What is your gut saying at the moment?

I feel for you OP. Are you friends with any colleagues? If so do you know how they are finding the work load. Your management can you not speak to them and tell them it’s effecting your health?

Thank you both. I'm glad I'm not alone. Yes, my bosses are also pulling the "be glad you have a job / are getting a full salary" card. At this point I'd rather take the furlough pay cut and not have all this stress.

I've spoken to my line manager, but there's very little we can do due to the fact we work in the top office. My line manager reports directly to the CEO and the CEO doesn't listen to a word she says, so nothing will be achieved there. I can't go to HR either, for reasons I won't go into.

The others in my team feel the same as me, but we're all the same. No way to fix it, nobody we can talk to.

I just feel really stuck. But thankful it's not a problem exclusively with my company.

I'm miserable and I want to leave, but it was difficult to enough to get this job and I don’t know if I'll be able to find something else.

You're more likely to find something else of you actually apply for something If you don't try then you'll never get to move. You sound extremely unhappy, so get your CV updated. Seriously. It'll be for the best in the long run. Please look after your mental health.

Thank you, I know you're right it just feels like such an unstable time right now to be switching jobs

Well updating your LinkedIn profile and setting up a couple of jobagent emails would not be a bad place to start.