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Original poster

If you have an admin job, what do you do once your work is completed?

59 replies

maplecream · 27/06/2022 06:55

I've just started a new job doing admin for a retail company. A friend used to work there and said it's a good job but because she was a fast worker, she would finish the bulk of her work early then have nothing to do.

The same thing is happening to me now too. I complete the set work then find myself sat waiting for any emails or calls to come through. There is no extra tasks to complete.

As I'm new I feel embarrassed to be just sat twiddling my thumbs.

Is this normal for admin workers? I thought it would be a bit more full on.

OP posts:

Fantail · 27/06/2022 07:04

As a manager my most valued admin team members have always been proactive. They look for ways to help out, anticipate work, refine and improve systems to make us more efficient.

In fact I expect all my team to be proactive. If they are done with work they will often be undertaking some professional development or looking for ideas from others in our field.

VashtaNerada · 27/06/2022 07:05

This brings back memories of my temping days! Nothing worse than sitting there with nothing to do. Be careful about making it too obvious but you could politely ask “if there are times when I complete the work early, are there any longer term tasks I could get on with?” Maybe they need a storeroom tidied or a filing system updated or something. If you really do find yourself stuck and bored, my top tips are:
a) take your time with tasks
b) don’t go to the toilet in your breaks, save that as an exciting task to break the day up
c) compose long emails to people you’ve lost contact with
d) tidy your desk and then tidy it again
God I’m feeling bored just remembering it. It’s awful. I hope they find stuff for you to do!

Tentpegsandtantrums · 27/06/2022 07:08

Can you work from home? If they’re too daft not to realize you don’t have enough to do then that’s on them! I’d be doing some life admin on the side 🤷‍♀️

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Timeforabiscuit · 27/06/2022 07:10

Get some longer term side projects in areas which will look good for your next job.

custardbear · 27/06/2022 07:11

Fantail · 27/06/2022 07:04

As a manager my most valued admin team members have always been proactive. They look for ways to help out, anticipate work, refine and improve systems to make us more efficient.

In fact I expect all my team to be proactive. If they are done with work they will often be undertaking some professional development or looking for ideas from others in our field.

This!
Some of my best admin staff create simple ways to organise paperwork and office filing etc, pro activity, I find out when they use spreadsheets to update me and get very good feedback at their appraisals for being proactive.
Maybe speak to your manager and see if there's anything you can start doing in any spare time you have, I'm sure you'll quickly become favoured as being supportive and hands on

MrsJBaptiste · 27/06/2022 07:14

I have no idea what you mean... 😮

I'm a Senior Administrator and my work is never done, I feel like I move 3 steps forward and 2 back most of the time. Probably the reason I'm looking for another job before I burn out.

HelloThereObiWan · 27/06/2022 07:19

I had a job like this once. It wasn't even possible for me to be proactive and find extra work to do. There was literally nothing! The office was empty, just me and two other admin people, apart from occasional visits by sales rep. There was no stationery to organise, no filing systems. We literally had data entry style tasks to do and once they were complete for the week there was nothing left to do.

I lasted five months. The other two admin people were recruited the same time as me and one lasted six months. I'm not sure about the other one.

Now I have a local government admin job and thankfully there is always something to do, with the opportunities to be proactive etc during quiet times.

Honestly I'd look for something else in your shoes. It doesn't sound like a great job to me.

eurochick · 27/06/2022 07:21

As others have said, taking the initiative to do other things that need doing should fill the time. There is always something. You might need to ask for help finding these until get to know the place better.

justgivein · 27/06/2022 07:27

I admit along time ago and not sure if still happens now.Sleeping on desks after three o'clock. Staff cruising around different sections to chat ,catch up on gossip,emailing friends.Reading books was totally the norm,solitaire on the screen.Two guys on my section would wander down the office at different times of the day and spend a good quarter hour chatting to the brunette at the end surprised she got any work done.Two hour flexi time lunches...civil service then but ridiculous work loads now according to a friend.

SunflowerGardens · 27/06/2022 07:29

Are there any other admin staff? Just be mindful of rubbing them up the wrong way. If they've been cruising along for years and you appear and start announcing to the managers that you have no work to do so you're going to start being proactive and changing things basically, it's not going to go down well. I would sit tight for a while to get the full picture. Maybe you're only being given the easy tasks while you settle in, or your workplace might be quiet over summer like mine and then pick up in September.

Original poster

maplecream · 27/06/2022 07:30

I did ask my manager what I should do once I'd completed my tasks and he shrugged and said the printer paper could be refilled
It's that bad!

OP posts:

megletthesecond · 27/06/2022 07:30

My work has never been completed. Its constantly coming in.
But when I was younger I'd just ask for more.

WhereIsVillanelleWhenNeeded · 27/06/2022 07:36

I check the stationery, shredders, photocopiers, reorganise, check the diary, can anything be archived, ask boss, ask colleagues, make a brew.

RaininSummer · 27/06/2022 07:37

You could start writing a novel maybe in the gaps.

Panicmode1 · 27/06/2022 07:38

Sympathies. For one of my jobs, I work very PT doing basic admin for an organisation which is supremely well organised (checklists and spreadshet procedures for everything), so once I have been through my inbox and dealt with the tasks in there, there really isn't any more to be done or any other way to be proactive. My boss often lets me leave early. However, there are times when it is very busy and I don't have time to stop - so I guess it's swings and roundabouts. I used to be a volunteer for the organisation and know how valuable it is to those who use it, and I love the people and don't really need the money, so I stay.....but if you aren't enjoying it, perhaps look for something else?

MultiBird · 27/06/2022 07:38

When I was young and keen I made myself invaluable to senior staff and developed my skill set by taking work off them.

Now, I'd be doing my personal admin, shopping, researching holidays...Or if there's really that much free time studying for a qualification.

Summerwhereareyou · 27/06/2022 07:39

Start a novel, bring a diary and plan your day

MargheritaAndMargaritaPlease · 27/06/2022 07:43

I have had admin jobs like that in the past and I hated it! I did stuff like free elearning courses about the industry we worked in. Or reorganised the stationery cupboard ans ordered more stock if it was low. Cleaned my desk. Researched stationery suppliers to see if I could find a cheaper one, looked and applied for other jobs, stuff like that.

Hellishly boring! I always felt underused.

I have a PT job in a finance office in the mornings before I start my actual job and it's really busy. They're understaffed and I can't commit to any more hours, so work is never finished! I much prefer it, so I feel for you.

StickyFingeredWeeNed · 27/06/2022 07:44

I’m in a similar position and I find it quite painful. I’d rather be rushed off my feet than twiddle my thumbs. At least for me it’s only temporary as it’s maternity cover so I’m trying to find ways to amuse myself (eg set a 30 minute timer and read a book).

nobody seems bothered and I suspect this department has run like this for years with the occasional burst of activity.

it’s soul-destroying - but hey, payday this week.

MrsMigginsCat · 27/06/2022 07:46

I and a job like this 20 odd years ago. It was a temporary contract but ended up being longer term. I had set tasks to do which I'd complete by Wednesday lunchtime and then for the rest of the week, I'd have nothing to do. Nobody would give me anything so I'd just sit there and play games. I got so good at Solitaire, I could beat the computer every single time. I feel for you OP as it seems like an absolute waste of time being there.

MaJoady · 27/06/2022 07:47

Squareflair · 27/06/2022 07:47

Meh I'd just enjoy it to be honest. Unless the pay is decent I wouldn't be going above and beyond my job description to implement new systems and ways of working- i know that sounds bad but so many employers don't pay people what they're worth that why bother?

HoppingPavlova · 27/06/2022 07:48

I had a young relative who was in this position. She enrolled in an Open University course, did it all completely at work on the side after ascertaining there was nothing else to do in her job role. Then she took the opportunity to leverage what she had done to migrate into an actual degree that could be done remotely and part time. So she came out if it with a degree that was 100% completed on works time and she had a job and money while doing the degree. She only had to take a day here and there as leave to go on campus to sit exams. Then she started looking for a job based around her degree, had the luxury of being able to look while being paid and had the edge over other candidates as she was a bit more mature at that point and had a proven work history as opposed to straight from uni.

Original poster

maplecream · 27/06/2022 07:49

I just feel awkward if I'm sat doing nothing when the manager walks in. Even though they know there is nothing else to do.

OP posts:

Gnusmas · 27/06/2022 07:53

free old open University courses

You can do courses to improve your skills and employment prospects and look for a different job.

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