Struggling in work environment of new job

[Whyisitsososohard]

Hi all not sure where this belongs but AIBU I'd brutal and I'm not doing great. I have recently got a new job in an arts org who do great work and everyone is really lovely. But we are a small team ml with limited office space. We also have to do our share of helping set up for and man events. Plus we do cover of front desk and gallery space. We all do it I'm a senior manager and the director does it too.

I have a role where I work on lots of spreadsheets often across many at a time. When I've done this role before I've had a quiet space with a second large screen. The job is more office / in person based than I expected. I now find myself trying to do my job on a small laptop in a busy environment and I'm finding it impossible.

My role is different to that of others who are doing lots of coordination and emails to plan work so less high concentration work. But I know they sometimes struggle with the environment.

There's also other stuff like we don't have a permanent work space allocated to us in the office or any where to store stuff. So it mean each day I need to bring in what I need. Which I know in the scheme of things is no big deal but I'd just like to lave some snacks or something.

It's making me dislike my job and making me sad I'm not seeming to fit in. The director is friendly so I could talk to her but honestly I feel like whinger. Although it effecting my work. Any thoughts or advice? Thanks

Is the small laptop provided by work? Can you find a way to ask for a second screen and make clear you need to use it for spreadsheet work (so perhaps having a bit more of a permanent base).

I think it’s good to speak clearly about what you need to do the job, they may not be aware.

Consider noise cancelling headphones. I sympathise about hot-decking etc. Its not suitable for every job and some people need focus space.

Yeah my laptop is provided by work.

Thanks for a bit of moral support and making me feel I'm not being demanding. I really don't feel all jobs work with hot desking.

@Whyisitsososohard I get it. I'm a bit the same as you, sensitive to my surroundings/environment so I wouldn't enjoy that. Might be better explaining to the director sooner rather than later. I've had jobs where the work culture has been too chaotic/disorganised for me and I ended up leaving. There was other reasons why I left, not just that but now I'd just speak up more.

I would be approaching it from a health & safety perspective - working on a small laptop all the time is not good for eyesight/posture etc. My office has double screens (hot desking but all desks have this), and they provide us a 2nd screen and keyboard to work from home. All employers are obligated to do a Display Screen Equipment workstation assessment www.hse.gov.uk/msd/dse/
Otherwise I'd be going with suggestions such as could there be some lockers for personal items - not expensive.

Would they be open to setting up a few hot desks with big screens? I would talk to your boss, I am sure that they would want to help you do your job as well as possible.

I just wanted to update as I had a brief char with my manager. We are a small non profit so I think even a few hot desks with a second screen would be financially challenging.

I'm glad people get it, it did help my confidence in talking to my manager. Its also made me realise there are a few things which aren't sitting right beyond the work environment.

She was happy to have a more in depth conversation about how I can get a better working environment, in particular around deadlines. Which is great but I wonder how much we can do within the organisation and demands of the role.

It's also given me time to reflect on things in the job too... My pay is quite low due to the nature of the sector and it being a small organisation. But I've realised I'm not really prepared to take much stress for this level of pay. Which obviously the environment is a factor in causing stress. But also its quite chaotic and difficult to get support with work. Not at all due to attitude but just capacity.

I'm honestly wondering if it's going to work out long term. I think I need to pay close attention to the working culture. There's so many good things but some red flags.