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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask... how many of you honestly care about your work

128 replies

karmacoma1 · 10/02/2018 00:07

... and see it as a career. Or at least a stepping stone to where you want to be.

And how many of you just see it as a nessicary evil - to get paid, at the end of the day.

I ask because I’m in a fairly new job. Something happened today meaning our day to day roles were impacted. All of my colleagues were up in arms, even ones I had considered pretty passive.

I however just feel ‘meh’ towards it... I was so engaged in my last job. This can’t be a good sign for my new role, can it?

OP posts:
Brokenbiscuit · 10/02/2018 00:11

No, it isn't a good sign tbh.

I do have a career, and not just a job, definitely. My work is important to me, and yes, I do care. I take pride in what we do, and I know that we make a positive difference. I also care about my colleagues and their well-being.

It isn't the only thing in my life, and I like to think that I see things with a healthy dose of perspective, but ultimately, I spend a lot of time there. It would seem strange to me to be do disengaged that I didn't care. I think I'd have to quit and look for something else at that point.

AgentProvocateur · 10/02/2018 00:13

It’s a means to an end. A £40k subsidy to my holiday/eating out budget. I don’t really give a shit about it.

Pistachiois50pmore · 10/02/2018 00:14

Because you're new you're probably less invested.

I have a money job and a side gig job (writing). I'm more emotionally invested in the sideline. At the end of my career the things I'll be proudest of will be things I've written. But it is less than a quarter of my income. I try to do a decent enough job of my "proper job" but I am always aware that I'm not really smashing it in the way people who really care are.

GrockleBocs · 10/02/2018 00:17

No it's not a good sign.
I am frequently frustrated in my role and definitely underpaid (public sector) but I do care a lot about making things right. I want what I do to significantly impact my organisation and make the service users' and my colleagues' experience better.

PollyMycroft · 10/02/2018 00:17

Neither. No desire to be promoted (was once, gave it up to go part-time); not an evil to be endured either. I love my job as it is.

Robots1Humans0 · 10/02/2018 00:18

Necessary evil to pay for my days off with the kids, keep a roof over our heads, take them on holiday etc. I'm fairly decent at what I do, and it's very flexible but I'm not as invested as others in my role, since having my kids anyway. I'd love to do something I'm passionate about, that really gets me going, but I have no idea what that might be and happy enough while the kids are little

blueskypink · 10/02/2018 00:19

I love my job. We could probably afford for me to take early retirement but I don't want to at all.

treeofhearts · 10/02/2018 00:19

I used to care about my old job. My new one, I'm just completely disengaged. Couldn't give a fuck if it went up in flames with all of them inside. I have a more meaningful relationship with the machinery than I do with my colleagues.

DontLetMeBeMisunderstood · 10/02/2018 00:19

I'm very invested in my job and consider it part of who I am and what I believe in - if I won a huge amount of money on the lottery I'd still do it (though I'd drop a few hours!) and I'd probably make some investment towards making sure other people could do it too.

steff13 · 10/02/2018 00:20

I love my job. The work is interesting and I help people.

Birdsgottafly · 10/02/2018 00:21

I did well paid jobs that I didn't care about and it was soul destroying.

I felt more fulfilled working in a restaurant and off-licence, at least i could take pride in good customer service and the cleanliness of the place.

I then worked in Social Care, when I started there wasn't anyway to progress, as such. I enjoyed that, because of the clients and the people that I worked with. I then did the Career thing.

I'm now considering going for a stress free job that pays the bills.

It just depends on where you are in your life and what's going on outside of work.

Original poster
karmacoma1 · 10/02/2018 00:22

Some really interesting views here, thank you for your responses.

For clarity, I’ve gone into a new role (made redundant on mat leave) and my fil has recently had a serious stroke... not sure if my circumstances are clouding my vision of new role, or if it’s really not right for me.

OP posts:
Birdsgottafly · 10/02/2018 00:25

It could be outside circumstances.

Was it your first baby?

Original poster
karmacoma1 · 10/02/2018 00:26

Hi birds,

Yes it is

OP posts:
Sparklesocks · 10/02/2018 00:27

I work for a charity so I’m pretty invested, but in previous roles I definitely felt differently. I used to log quotes for an insurance company which solely dealt with small-medium businesses and it just felt all so pointless and useless and made no difference.

Tbh I don’t think it’s essential to love your job, it can be a means to an end to make money and I think as long as your personal life is happy and fulfilling then Work is only a small part of the big picture. I love my job but I’m not a workaholic and I definitely work to live, not live to work. I am fulfilled in other ways, and I’m happy with that.

I would say it’s a problem if it’s making you absolutely miserable and affecting your mental health, though.

SelenaMeyer2016 · 10/02/2018 00:34

I am invested in my career. Would never see my job as a means to an end but maybe it’s because it is tax payer funded so I feel some responsibilly.

Maybe you have more perspective or resilience than your colleagues? Being new possibly your are familiar with the sort of changes going on so are not phased? Might not mean you do not care but are just more experienced and have been through similar experiences.

Birdsgottafly · 10/02/2018 00:38

I think having a baby changes everything. many women decide on a redirection in their working life. Certainly all of the bullshit and pettiness that goes on in workplaces, that you might have once got caught up in, becomes irrelevant to you.

I wouldn't make any rash decisions, go with what makes your life easier for now.

SelenaMeyer2016 · 10/02/2018 00:38

*responsobility.

Just seen you have had your baby and family illness. I think that is your resilience and perspective kicking in.

I’ve worked with people who have been over invested in their jobs and that has led to a feeling of entitlement so when changes make an impact there is drama.

SelenaMeyer2016 · 10/02/2018 00:40

** responsibility (red 🍷 sorry)

ReggaetonLente · 10/02/2018 00:43

I care about my job. Charity sector here - I’m not paid as well as I would be in the private sector, and I do a shitload of unpaid overtime, but I get to work every day with people who inspire and humble me, and for a cause I passionately believe in.

Hairyfairy01 · 10/02/2018 00:52

Stroke rehab here. I care passionately about my job. Obviously I have major frustrations due to working within the nhs, but I feel I give it my all and it’s worth it to help my patients fulfil their goals.

Ladiva1971 · 10/02/2018 00:57

I love my job, I have been offered a promotion but tbh at my age I don't need the stress that comes with it, as next level up is salaried and I would rather be paid for every second I am in the building. Grin

BonnieF · 10/02/2018 01:01

I work in a safety- critical role in aviation, so I have to do my job extremely conscientiously.

It is a role which has to be done to a professional standard, but it’s still just a job, and I’m not emotionally invested in it. I neither love it nor hate it.

malterbitty · 10/02/2018 01:19

Work to live, don't live to work.

WashingMatilda · 10/02/2018 01:30

I'm a police officer, I love my job and care very deeply about it.
Sorry you're not feeling your new role, it doesn't seem like your hearts in it. Wine

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