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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

i think my boss is a total twat.

63 replies

MelodyPondering · 14/09/2012 10:37

I work in a small office, we have naff all to do, so I spend my day trying to look busy. I'm bored out of my mind.

So, for some unknown reason, the department has employed an apprentice for two years.

Poor bloody girl, there is nothing to do, I doubt she will learn much.

Anyway, here is my Aibu....

My boss spoke to this girl yesterday and offered her some work from another colleague who is a higher grade than me. Honestly, I was so fucking insulted. Why the Hell should this girl get work over me? I have worked here for over 5 years, there is never any scope for promotion etc, why don't they give me the opportunity to develop and move up?

What am I? Fucking invisible?!

Aibu to be so upset? Should I just get over it?

I am unbelievably Sad about it and I'm not entirely sure why exactly.

OP posts:
Pendeen · 14/09/2012 11:57

No 'dig' was intended but at least you can see why I thought what I did.

Original poster
MelodyPondering · 14/09/2012 12:00

Where did I say I don't care?

OP posts:
Rindercella · 14/09/2012 12:03

Erm, but you say you don't Confused You said that there's nothing to do. That you make stuff up to appear busy to your boss. That is definitely not taking responsibility for your career. Why on earth didn't you go and talk to her about it, before getting upset about someone else being given work you obviously feel you should be doing?

Good luck with the job hunting (that probably sounds sarcastic but it's genuine, I promise!). Being unhappy in your job is horrible, so I do sympathise.

BionicEmu · 14/09/2012 12:04

My first thought on reading this is that they've hired an apprentice so that they can make you redundant. From the sounds of it the apprentice will be able to do much the same things as you but for a fraction of the staffing costs.

But then that situation is in my mind as it's what has just happened to my sister.

I would definitely be looking for a new job, either way.

BitOutOfPractice · 14/09/2012 12:09

Instead of getting all arsey and leaving in a haff, why don't youtake the construtive approach that piff suggested?

MrsRajeshKoothrappali · 14/09/2012 12:11

Because you spend the days looking busy he assumed you were too busy?

BitOutOfPractice · 14/09/2012 12:14

haff = huff

wonkylegs · 14/09/2012 12:28

I would expect that she's probably employed under the apprentice scheme which gives employers a grant to employer her.
Your not going to like what I say but personally think you sound like you haven't taken control of your own career and are now surprised that it's going nowhere. People generally only progress in jobs & do the more interesting jobs because they push for it. They work hard AND are proactive about what else they can do. I tried to drum this into some friends of mines heads for years when they moaned and moaned about being bored in their jobs .... They always whined and ignored me, yes they were the first to be made redundant as although everybody else could do their roles they couldn't wouldn't do anything else! how long you've been somewhere sitting twiddling your thumbs means nothing in redundancy. Initiative, drive, skills & willing means your more likely to stick for the long term.

Empusa · 14/09/2012 12:44

"Sounds fun. Can I join your company? Getting paid to do nothing? Yes please!"

It's actually really horrible, been in the same position myself. If you are in a job where there is nothing to do, it's usually not a good sign that you'll have that job too long :(

Does make sod all sense that your work have employed an apprentice if they are that short on work OP. I'd be pissed off too.

adeucalione · 14/09/2012 12:46

I agree with whoever said that the apprentice has been taken on prior to making someone redundant - your line manager won't be unaware of the fact that you have too much time on your hands, no matter how cleverly you think you are disguising it.

Bellyjaby · 14/09/2012 12:50

I doubt it's meant as an insult towards you. It's probably more to do with the fact apprentice schemes have very defined agreements so they've thought actively about what to give them. But I'd feel peed off in the same position.

As others say, it's a perfect excuse for you to bring it up now.

Pendeen · 14/09/2012 12:51

I agree that it must be awful to have to sit in an office all day with little to do.

In fact it must be awful to be in an office all day every day anyway even if you are busy. I coldn't stand having to go to the same place day after day.

Original poster
MelodyPondering · 14/09/2012 13:21

I do care, I really can't see where Ive said that I don't.

I HAVE to sit and pretend to be buy otherwise I would probably be made redundant and I can't afford that.

I will think about talking to her, but I suspect this will be the kick up the are I need to really find something better.

Thank you for all the comments and glad it worked out for you thunder

OP posts:
Original poster
MelodyPondering · 14/09/2012 13:22

And yes it really is horrible to have nothing to do. Very depressing.

OP posts:
Veryfrustratedandfedup · 14/09/2012 13:23

I would look for another job, especially as there's no scope for promotion at your current workplace.

QuintessentialShadows · 14/09/2012 13:28

Well, from your boss' perspective, seeing as you have sat on your arse for 5 years pretending to be really busy, when there in reality is very little work, he probably thinks you cant take on more, as whatever it is that you do take you so long?

Original poster
MelodyPondering · 14/09/2012 13:33

What would you do? Tell her? Then what? Not have a job, lose my income?

I haven't 'sat on my are for five years' it hasn't always been this quiet, I'm stuck really as I want more to do but there isn't any work so if I say that then my job will be gone. Seriously, what would you do?

My boss is a woman BTW...

OP posts:
ImNotCrazyMyMotherHadMeTested · 14/09/2012 13:33

I agree about how depressing it is to not have enough to do, I've been in that boat for ages, probably utilising 70% of my time max.

Every 1:1 I have brought it up. It took my manager about 8 months to find me something else to do - which he handed to me a month ago, on top of my normal work AND IT'S ANOTHER FULL TIME JOB.

So my plan is to do it, do it well, and use it as the USP on my CV to get me another job. (fairly soon, as he just let me know he expects me to do the 2 jobs in the same amount of time????)

It sounds like your manager is not the best, so keep asking for more to do - even volunteer to train the apprentice (this is a sneaky way of showing that you are more experienced too so will help you feel less undercut!)

Original poster
MelodyPondering · 14/09/2012 13:34

Arse not are...

OP posts:
QuintessentialShadows · 14/09/2012 13:35

If there isn't any work, why is your boss taking on new staff?

I am guessing there is work, but the boss does not feel confident in any of the "lower grade" staff, and cant just let you go. But an apprentice is cheaper.

If you want the work, you need to be proactive and talk to your boss. Ensure YOU are not the one to be made redundant when the boss clocks on to the fact that you all pretend to be too busy to take on more, or find that you take unusually long time on doing tasks that should not take that long.

FunnysInLaJardin · 14/09/2012 13:38

If you have been offering to take on more work regularly then YANBU, but if you have been trying to look busy and haven't asked for anymore work YABU. Speak to your boss and if things don't change look for another job.

Original poster
MelodyPondering · 14/09/2012 13:40

Really, trust me, there is NO work. The only reason we are all still here is because senior management haven't figured it out.

She has no work really either and it really wasn't her choice to hire the apprentice.

So there is no point in me being proactive. It will just alert managers to the fact the section is overstaffed.

I am desperatly trying to find something else, its lousy awful.

OP posts:
Inertia · 14/09/2012 13:40

Maybe your manager isn't thinking it through, and you look busy, so the new work is going to the new person?

I'd be tempted to say to your boss that you are interested in tackling in some higher grade work with a view to promotion and expanding your skills set. Perhaps ask about shadowing the higher grade person for some of your working week, as some of the more basic departmental work could be passed to the apprentice while she finds her feet?

Original poster
MelodyPondering · 14/09/2012 13:41

I love how you think I'm lazy and should point out I dont have enough to do.

Would you do that and risk losing an income?

OP posts:
QuintessentialShadows · 14/09/2012 13:41

Ok... If the section is overstaffed, and management has not discovered. Who do you think will be most likely up for redundancy when they do:

Employer A who has been pretending to be busy
Employer B who has been honest about having little to do and keen to do more