Hi
I started a new job in August. I moved from a job I liked and had been there a few years, but that led to burn out. New job is in same industry but different sector. I am qualified and experienced in this industry.
New job started off ok. There are positives, such as a better work life balance and less pressure. Plus more pay. I like lots of my colleagues.
However, as time has gone on, it’s clear that there are aspects of the job/organisation that I am finding difficult and that are knocking my confidence and making me question my ability and years of my respected experience.
Management is pretty non existent most of the time. When management do briefly make an appearance it’s always negative and oppressive. Staff are treated like we know nothing and everything we do is questionable. We are asked our opinion, but then the reply is always to tell us that our opinion or experience is wrong, even if we are saying something positive.
They want us to work autonomously with very little oversight but then act as though anything we do is wrong and like we don’t know what we are doing.
Most staff are dissatisfied and people moaning and complaining in the office is constant. There is a very them and us attitude between staff and managers and it makes an uncomfortable atmosphere.
Whenever I mention a positive about work I have done, eg “that client left happy when he’s usually upset”. I am shot down by my colleagues. Such as being told what I saw and felt was wrong. Eg “no he wasn’t happy and me and Kate were sceptical about what you saw”. If it was happening with just one person then I would be able to ignore it but it’s everyone.
Often those in senior or management positions will take staffs work that is perfectly acceptable and take over, acting like it’s a big crisis and only they have the expertise to do it. Yet the sane work, the same staff member does, is fine at other times. They talk over you about the work like you are a child. It’s disheartening.
They employed me stating that they wanted me to bring in my experience from the other sector to help make changes and make services better. They sang about supporting progression and what have you. However, they won’t even let long standing staff go on very much needed training, they make excuses. They do not value our input, hard work or professionalism.
There are colleagues and mangers who have been here for years, who think that no one knows what to do except them. Even if they have had no contact with the work or client in question.
They speak about moving forward and creativity in the work, but they will not deviate from the original way of doing things, despite it being the same for decades. Everything is done in a strict and often oppressive way and there is no room for using your judgement.
I know through what colleagues have said that I am not the only one feeling like this.
Today I am in two minds. Do I look for another job or give it more time? Due to the better work life balance and less pressure, I feel reluctant to leave incase where I go I have it worse. Those things are important to me due to my family and experience of burnout.
If I do leave so soon, what am I supposed to say on applications and at interviews as to why I left after this short time? I can’t think of an excuse that doesn’t make me look unreliable or the problem.
Can anyone help me?