To feel annoyed at lack of opportunity?

[HastingsLikeTheBattle]

Slightly changed some details but the basic premise remains the sane.

I am the highest qualified person at my place of work. However, due to various factors I am unable to take on paid employment (health/caring responsibilities etc) so I am purely a volunteer.

As I am the highest qualified and most experienced, I am expected to supervise the development of newbies and less experienced (all paid). I have always stated that I don't mind this, so long as I am still able to do other aspects of my role. This was agreed. However, once the newbies and less experienced people are trained up, they are offered houred contracts, and as employer has to obviously ensure that they're not paying these people for nothing, they take me place in a certain role. My job tasks over the past 6 month have dramatically reduced.

I am now in a position where I am being offered another new role. AIBU to refuse, saying that I no longer trust them not to simply replace me? That I am not willing to continue training people up so that they can replace me?

Slight additional AIBU - despite my employer assuring me it has nothing to do with my abilities (why would we ask you to train others if we had a problem with you), AIBU to be really struggling with my mental health over this? Boss simply says I'm over reacting, but my self confidence is already really low, and to be in a position where I don't feel good enough to be accepted as a volunteer that they'd rather pay someone - surely that would affect anyone? By the way, the job traditionally exists on a mixture of paid and volunteer roles.

I feel like I am completely being used, and while there are a couple of roles that I definitely don't want to lose (at the moment there is no one to take over those roles), but I want to say no to everything else. AIBU?

I can see why they'd prioritise paid staff over volunteers.

Paid staff are far less likely to simply up sticks and walk away. They need to offer enough to retain staff, and keep them happy and productive.

You could leave tomorrow, with no notice period, handover, anything.

They need to know they have the staff they need to get the job done.

You are a useful (free) bonus.

I volunteer because I enjoy it. When I don’t enjoy it anymore, I will stop. You sound very unhappy and stressed and you should think carefully what YOU are getting out of this.

They're taking advantage of you. You do all this work, and not get paid for it? Have asked them to take you on as employed?

I think you’re over reacting- but mainly you don’t seem like you are able to do this role at the moment either. Prioritise yourself, leave and take some time.

Nissern I completely agree with you re I could theoretically just up and leave. However, in my defence I have done this role for 5 years.

Parrish I do get enjoyment out of the roles I am currently left with, and am quite happy to continue with those. As for everything else, I’m thoroughly miserable and definitely don’t feel either wanted by them or me wanting to be there.

Single they said yes they would take me on in a paid role, but I can’t take them up on it - they know this.

Capri I’m on leave at the moment following a small operation, hence me trying to use this time wisely and actually figure out what it is I want to do, without any pressure.