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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to HATE working in an office?

132 replies

HappyGirlNow · 07/01/2014 15:03

With loads of other people.. I find it claustrophobic,irritating and depressing after lots of years of doing it.. I think although I'm confident and will be sociable when required I'm an introvert at heart and am finding it harder and harder to deal with being around people so much, all day, day in day out..

I just want to start my own business, work from home.. Although I'll have to deal with other people I'll be able to get away from them too!

Do other people feel like this?

OP posts:
Original poster
HappyGirlNow · 07/01/2014 21:37

I'm dreading tomorrow.. I hate the falseness, the stupid buzz words and corporate speak, the small talk.. Rahhh Hmm

I've just worked hard to get work related qualifications and while I can work the odd day from home that's all.. So it'll be a complete retrain.

Think I have to do it though - this is driving me nuts! It's so helpful to see that lots of you feel the same and don't regret changes you made to get out of that environment.. Thanks Grin

OP posts:
Dromedary · 07/01/2014 21:51

Big open plan offices - so grim. Totally counter-productive too.
Working for yourself from home is great, if you're the right type of person and don't stress out too much, as everything will be your responsibility and your earnings are likely to be irregular.

TheGinLushMinion · 07/01/2014 22:04

Yep, right there with you-would love to work for myself...maybe one day.

ukatlast · 07/01/2014 22:37

YANBU my house is a much nicer environment than any Office I have ever worked in.

MarshaBrady · 07/01/2014 22:40

Yanbu. Cake, inefficiency , sedentary, no fresh air, everyone sitting in open plan rows in front of big screens. Makes me feel claustrophobic.

ukatlast · 07/01/2014 22:41

I only have to watch an episode of 'The Office' UK or USA version to get that horrible sinking feeling...YANBU and the new trend for hot-desking is awful - talk about not feeling like you belong anywhere.

blueshoes · 07/01/2014 23:13

I am an extreme introvert (under all personality tests, including Myers Briggs) but I would hate to work from home. My laptop is not great, the dcs/aupair pop in. It is almost like a twilight zone of pottering around and making myself cups of tea with no other person to bounce ideas off. Communications are more stilted, conference calls a pain ...

I have worked in open plan before and yes, there are interruptions and social chit chat, but I find myself more efficient in the office. I have my own office now, which is even better for surfing the net and mnetting.

pinkstinks · 07/01/2014 23:17

I have just started a new job and we all have to hot desk with our laptops in the morning. It's like musical chairs, and there are unsp

pinkstinks · 07/01/2014 23:17

Oops...
Unspoken rules about who sits where anyway so I have already messed up the dynamics :(

whitesugar · 07/01/2014 23:45

Thank God I have found this thread. I understand every word you say. I cannot tolerate the people, the politics, the one up upmanship, the arse licking and conversations with those people any longer. I haven't been there for two days because I can't stand it, I have reached zero tolerance. I am already dreading tomorrow. I like people and like having a bit of a laugh at work but honestly this group of people. They think they know everything and believe me they are so parochial it's unbelievable. The boss is male, more vile than Ricky Gervais and the rest are all sycophantic women vying for his attention.

If I don't find a way to deal with this I am looking at losing my house and putting myself and DC into poverty, which obviously I can't do. I literally cannot stand going in there. The work is fine, I quite like it but those people, seriously. If I walk out I lose my home, there is no safety net. They are going to have birthday party for my recent birthday and I cannot stomach it. I am on the verge of telling the queen bee who organises this insincere bullshit that I don't want it. If I do I alienate myself and it will be worse. This is hell on earth. Only consolation is that from this thread it seems that I am not alone.

JayEmm · 07/01/2014 23:54

whitesugar - I've had more time off ill since I started this job then I ever have had previously - stress, anxiety, depression, the works. Sometimes I think I have to get a grip and learn to deal with it and then I remember that I've hidden in the loo crying out of sheer despair three times in the last week and maybe that's not normal and it is really having an impact on my mental health.

I've got a three month plan for getting a new job - don't care what it is as long as I don't take an actual salary cut. I'm going to apply for anything and everything I can and in the meantime try and disengage from the office nonsense and just get on with work in the meantime.

Haven't gone back after Christmas yet (annual leave) - I may not sound so optimistic about it this time next week...

Much soldarity to everyone working somewhere they hate. It's the worst.

whitesugar · 08/01/2014 00:24

Yay I understand completely. I was off a while ago for three months because I could not bear to go there. My boss is a bullying twat which does not help. All the women love him - pass the bucket. I admire your 3 month plan and wish you all the best. There are zero jobs where I live so I have no hope of getting another job. There is already serious unemployment up here. I can't afford to re-train. I dream about leaving and selling the house. After all its only a house. I could rent and go on benefits and re-train. I know this sounds crazy but I am desperate, this job is affecting my health. My DCs are teenagers and probably won't stay with me forever (hopefully not anyway). I don't know what is going to happen but I know I will regret it in 20 years time if I am still there and living a life that I don't want to live. The only thing stopping me leaving is money. I am not that materialistic but abject poverty does not appeal either.

Scuttlebutter · 08/01/2014 00:35

I made the jump away from an office job and it's the best thing ever. I am now self employed doing something completely different ( making greyhound coats) and I work from home surrounded by four gorgeous hounds, my own coffee and nobody else's germs, annoying personal habits or irritating management speak. I actually work harder and longer now, but I love the way I can control the hours/time spent and have the flexibility to attend a funeral/meet a friend for lunch/go to the vet's with a dog etc during the day with no hassle. What I do is deeply satisfying, and so much fun and I really enjoy it - it mostly doesn't feel like work.

whitesugar · 08/01/2014 01:01

Sounds fabulous Scuttle, well done on having the courage to leave the office. I am seriously envious, your life sounds lovely. Not having flexibility is one of the things that kills me. I would love to go for a walk at 11.00am just because I could. Like you I wouldnt mind working harder, I have a lot of energy, its just that office work, the people and the politics is so draining. Well done you!

Original poster
HappyGirlNow · 08/01/2014 08:41

Scuttle that does sound great.. I also have four dogs and the days I do work from home I love being sound them for more of the day and the flexibility too..

Office life is just doing my head in. I could scream when they start talking management speak, drives me nuts.. And the enforced and false friendliness..

OP posts:
Modestandatinybitsexy · 08/01/2014 09:49

I'm glad I found this thread and I'm not alone. I on the other hand quite like the people I work with (small office) but hate the work. I fell into this job after university because I didn't know what I wanted to do - it's kind of an event management/data entry role and it gets so monotonous.

But what am I supposed to do instead? Admin gets me down. I'd love to do something based in textiles from home but I have no idea how I'm supposed to make money doing that - and I'm not sure if I'm just romanticising the idea. The last time I sewed was so long ago I'm not even sure I can still do it. I got given a sewing machine for christmas and I haven't even set it up yet. That can't be a good sign...Confused

RandyRudolf · 08/01/2014 10:16

I'm so glad I've found this thread too. After years of working in a corporate office environment I am ready to kill! The thought of coming into work fills me with dread most of the time. The only thing that is keeping me going is the chance that I may be able to go part time in a few months due to a little business idea that I have which will enable me to work from home. I've been so nervous about whether or not to go ahead with it, change can be scary. This thread is giving me the encouragement I need to pursue it!

threestepsforward · 08/01/2014 10:35

I hated office work! Worked for 6 years in a succession of offices before going back to do an MA to do a job I love which I could do from home as a freelancer. That was 15 years ago and it was the best decision I ever made!

I just couldn't get on with or understand how to 'be' in an office! I can't really explain it, I felt like I was in prison wearing stupid clothes

Aside from the fact I love my job, I love the fact I can work in my pjs and no one knows, I can choose the hours to suit me and I was finally able to get a dog... 15 year Battersea dog who I got almost the day I went freelance is currently snoring beside me on the sofa :)

RandyRudolf · 08/01/2014 10:39

threestepsforward Getting a dog is something I look forward to doing too, but only if I am able to work from home full time!

threestepsforward · 08/01/2014 10:48

RandyR, I'm so lucky to work full-time as a freelancer so my canine friend is with me all day :) Office parties are a little dull, but you can't have it all!

You're right that change is scary, if you go part-time at first, will that mean you have the security of the job at least part-time while you test the water with your business? That sounds like a perfect plan.

I remember when I qualified sending out 200 CVs and sitting by the phone expecting the calls to come flooding in, they didn't! I ended up temping at Lambeth Council parking department until I managed to get regular work, but there were times when temping I thought wtf have I done!!

RandyRudolf · 08/01/2014 10:55

Yes, my current job is very well paid so if I work part time it will offer the security I need until I decide to take the leap. I think it will also help me adjust to working on my own after working with people for such a long time. Although I love being alone I don't want to feel totally isolated.

threestepsforward · 08/01/2014 11:04

Good luck with it all RandyR - sounds like you have it well worked out. Re the isolation, I have a housemate (no husband or DCs) so it's quiet in the day, so no distractions, but nice when they get back. Dog walk is vital for me as much as it is for dog! 1-2 hours out of the house, catching up with dog-walking pals and having my daily coffee treat from the cafe down the road :)

RandyRudolf · 08/01/2014 11:11

Thanks Grin

Viviennemary · 08/01/2014 11:15

Of course YANBU. Especially with these huge open plan offices where there are bound to be painful people who get on your nerves. But some people thrive on these. So it's just a matter of what suits the individual. I'd hate hate hate the thought of working outdoors. But some folk love it.

StormEEweather · 08/01/2014 11:40

Yes yes yes, me too, YANBU! The people I work with are lovely and thankfully no racism, sexism etc. But I am desperate to get out of it, I am also looking at self employment when my contract ends in September. It would mean selling my services to people which wouldn't be totally comfortable for a modest introvert, but it has to be better than going to a massive Government machine very day to do work which feels pointless to further an agenda I don't believe in. And apparently it's playing he'll with my grammar!