Boring new job and what do do

[Flatwhitewhiner]

I'm aware that I might be under fire from posters who would kill for a boring job like mine, especially in view of lockdown, but bear with me.

I started a new job in Oct around the same time I bought my first property so I now have a mortgage to pay. I say this because it will impact my next move.

The job is (and will be) home-based and from the JD was directly in line with my skills and experience. It's a newly-created role which presented itself as a massive challenge and the opportunity to WFH. But less than 3 months in and I'm starting to really struggle with the sheer amount of downtime. I'm missing the fast and busy pace that my previous role gave me, not to mention the bonds I had with my colleagues. Albeit my last job was a much smaller organization and had its own set of problems- as do all jobs. A few issues:

1. I seem to only rarely receive responses to my email queries. This is consistent across the org. I also have trouble getting hold of people on Zoom and in turn don't have the resources I need to do my role. Over the past 10 weeks I've struggled to get access to files, policies, handover notes etc. I've relayed this to my line manager and the response is acknowledging how busy everyone is followed by a suggestion to ask someone else who is involved. I can't decide whether this is down to my colleagues not 'knowing' me having not met and worked with me face to face, or whether this is what it has always been like.

2. I don't have a 'team' therefore my main interaction is with my very senior line manager and during weekly meetings where I feel obligated to give an update- however small! It means that I feel isolated but I'm aware this is the case for the vast majority of people working from home. I make an appearance during virtual Zoom catch ups and try to be as present as I can be

3. Given this is a public sector job (I don't want to out myself or them!) I feel guilty that I'm using company time to complete an online course to quell the boredom- even though the course is free and relevant to my job

I had a similar experience in a public sector role a couple of years ago and left after 6 months, much to their surprise. Sadly I'm getting the same vibes from this place except it's made more uncertain by the world we're living in at the moment. I know myself well enough to know that whilst I'm in a fortunate position, I cannot deal with being this bored and isolated on a long-term basis.

I know that I need to address this downtime with my boss and give them the opportunity to address these points but my gut feel is that things won't change. I also need to pick my timing wisely as there are meetings relating to furlough/new lockdown measures which no doubt will be taking up their energies.

So, wise workers of Mumsnet. What would you do? Thanks for reading.

I also had a public sector job and left after four months, there was nothing to do and no one seemed to care! I have never been so bored and couldn’t stick it! I managed to land a new job in the middle of the first lockdown and couldn’t wait to be honest!
Being bored is as bad as being overworked imo

Sounds like a typical public sector job to me! I'm trapped in similar circumstances and, for various reasons, need to stay here for 12 more months. I'm using my downtime to study and prepare myself for the future, but honestly the boredom is soul destroying. I'd much rather be busy. So I have no advice, but please know that you are not alone!

In the private sector, such a job will be at risk of redundancy in the next round of cuts or 'reviews' and so is not a safe one to stay in in the medium term as people start to cotton on. It could be different in the public sector.

You say it is a newly created role and presented as a challenge Why didn't the challenge materialise. Is it because it is project and you rely on others to do their bit but they are not attending your meetings or replying to your emails and so you are stuck.

Are there ramifications if you do not deliver?

@gingajewel I agree! I would prefer to be stressed with good cause.

@WhereDoMyBluebirdsFly sorry to hear that! Solidarity in spades...

@blueshoes I should clarify that it’s actually the voluntary sector that I work in. I don’t know if this makes much difference as there is a lot of overlap with the public sector. I digress.

So covid definitely hasn’t helped the momentum of the tasks involved. But the biggest issue is none or very few responses to my queries. I checked and I’ve sent the PA of someone I’d like to meet with three emails since December trying to get a 30 minute slot (at the senior person’s instruction). And no response! Obviously I’ve allowed for xmas etc but it’s starting to feel like it’s very uphill.

Why don't you phone rather than email? People will remember you a bit better if they're used to your voice and you build a rapport with them

Sounds like the job is clearly a 'challenge' if you have difficulty getting people to respond. It is difficult in a COVID situation to door step someone but maybe it is anticipated that people won't respond and your job is in fact to find ways to get through to these people who won't respond.

Is what you are asking them to do outside their day job and hence they would prefer not to do it? I find that if it is special projects, people often don't want to get involved because it is more work for them. Your job is then to get the senior management buy in first and then work your way down using communications from the top.

Who is your 'sponsor' or 'manager'. Can they suggest strategies for getting through to people since they know the personalities better.