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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Overpaid but hardly any work to do!

75 replies

Amibeingdaft81 · 14/05/2019 10:44

Single mother to two primary children

My current job I’ve had for 6months. It’s largely home based.

Based on my experience and qualifications, I secured a salary that is London level and so around 25% minimum higher than local for same role.

Part time.

However there is hardly any work to do! My boss is very very relaxed (her business). What I do, I do very well and she seems happy but there’s so little to do that I’m able to do gym, housework, personal admin, friends for coffee.

Seems ideal BUT I can’t shake feeling guilty.

Would you stick at it because I’m many respects - it’s perfect. Or would you feel too guilty?

OP posts:
paintwater · 14/05/2019 10:46

Don’t feel guilty!!! It sounds brilliant

HBStowe · 14/05/2019 10:46

Sounds literally perfect, enjoy it!

RhiWrites · 14/05/2019 10:47

Use some of your spare time to volunteer. That will help you deal with the guilt and help other people too.

RosaWaiting · 14/05/2019 10:47

OMD where can I find a job like this?!

obviously your guilt is bad, so you must give the job to me.

TinselTimes · 14/05/2019 10:53

I’d tell my boss that I had extra time and ask if there was anything else I could be doing.

But she may be happy wit. Paying to have somebody available when she does need work done, even if she doesn’t actually need so many hours.

For example we pay our nanny full time but at least once a week she gets an afternoon off as I’m home and happy to have the DCs. I just can’t predict in advance when that will be so we’re happy to pay for more hours than needed to ensure she’s there when needed.

So tell your boss, but don’t feel guilty at all about only doing the work you’re given.

Fucktifikeepmyrealname · 14/05/2019 10:54

I know people will say you're lucky, but I've been there and it's shit after a while.

Three options:

Stick with it and chill ( doesn't sound like you're up for that or you wouldn't have started this thread).

Get a new job (being underemployed kills your sense of self worth and job satisfaction so this would work well for that, but it sounds like you'd struggle to get the money or flexibility you've currently got).

Find a way to broaden your role or make it more meaningful. (Look at the business you're working in, try to find different ways of doing what you're doing, consider expansion opportunities and create a business case for it, spend some time with your boss working out why she's happy that you're adding value and do more of the same etc).

Original poster
Amibeingdaft81 · 14/05/2019 10:57

Yes I know it sounds ideal. It’s just that I really do feel guilty.
The work itself it stimulating and I enjoy it. So little of it though. And then to know that I’m being paid a London salary... with no commuting costs just doesn’t sit right

@Fucktifikeepmyrealname. You’ve got it

On the other hand - I’m a single parent with no support network, so perhaps I need to accept that it is perfect for my situation

OP posts:
mabelsgarden · 14/05/2019 11:09

@Amibeingdaft81

What is the job? What do you do? What sort of company is it?

starryeyedsnowgirl · 14/05/2019 11:09

Just enjoy it and make sure you really give it your all when you are working. Go above and beyond. She must know you are under used but she wants you on board. Don't quit.

Though I have a similar situation and I would say it becomes hard not to begrudge the work when it does come in as you get used to it! Enjoy it while you can.

LemonBreeland · 14/05/2019 11:18

Is it that you are getting the work done faster than she expects? So she is happy if that amount of work gets done in the week.

Original poster
Amibeingdaft81 · 14/05/2019 11:20

@starryeyedsnowgirl

I’m still at the stage where I love the work when it comes in!

Ok, so in the short term I will just accept it is what it is and try not to feel guilty when I’m at the gym and meant to be working!

Thank you all

OP posts:
Mabelsgarden · 14/05/2019 11:39

@Amibeingdaft81

So what is your job? What do you do? What does the company do?

ethelfleda · 14/05/2019 11:39

This is a tough one. It would be so easy to say just enjoy it and chill but I think I would feel the same in your position.
I would honestly talk to your boss and tell her you need more work or voice your concerns in a tactful way. If she is fine with it, then you can carry on as you are. But obviously be willing to put in overtime should you ever need to?

bridgetreilly · 14/05/2019 11:46

I would stick at it, making sure to keep doing the work thoroughly and well, but just keep an eye out for other jobs that might come up. Also, definitely don't feel guilty about the London weighting without the commute. If your boss wasn't happy to pay that, she wouldn't be paying that.

Musti · 14/05/2019 11:49

Stay with it and maybe take on some other clients? Some people are very efficient but as long as they do the work well, then it's fine

Original poster
Amibeingdaft81 · 14/05/2019 11:52

Yes I’m efficient but this isn’t because of my efficiency... there really isn’t remotely enough work!

I taken on board comments and will stick with it and then revisit whether I move on in a few months

OP posts:
Gin96 · 14/05/2019 11:59

I used to work for a German company where most people were £60k to £70k a year and had nothing to do, eventually they were made redundant with a 2 year redundancy package so walked away with £100k and they thought they were hard done by Hmm

MinisterforCheekyFuckery · 14/05/2019 11:59

I'm guessing that most people will tell you not to over-think this and to just enjoy the free time. Honestly though, I would feel a bit uneasy. In my experience, if something seems too good to be true then it usually is. I would worry about my job security working for an employer whose approach to running her own business is so "relaxed" that she doesn't care she's paying staff significantly more than the going rate for not very much work. It suggests a certain degree of complacency. I certainly wouldn't feel "guilty" though, you're not doing anything wrong.

mabelsgarden · 14/05/2019 12:01

@Amibeingdaft81

Why are you not answering the questions? What is your job? And what does the company do? Confused

Alsohuman · 14/05/2019 12:04

At least you’re home based. Imagine if you had to commute and then sit in an office for hours on end twiddling your thumbs. That would be torture. The universe likes you. Enjoy!

DavetheCat2001 · 14/05/2019 12:07
Hmm
ethelfleda · 14/05/2019 12:07

Why are you not answering the questions? What is your job? And what does the company do?

Maybe it’s too outing for the OP??

HennyPennyHorror · 14/05/2019 12:08

Mabels what are you? The Gestapo? Hmm

OP I've been there. For me, the worry was that my job felt insecure...I thought I'd be let go at any time because they'd realise they didn't need me.

I also felt guilty! I looked for another after a while.

heartshapedknob · 14/05/2019 12:10

Seems your boss is happy with the status quo so as long as the role will look okay on your CV, I would ride it out until the youngest is in Y5 or Y6.

Original poster
Amibeingdaft81 · 14/05/2019 12:11

@mabelsgarden

Yes I’ve ignored you. Why on earth would I provide that information when absolutely no bearing on my question

OP posts: