To ask if youd rather be bored or stressed....

[MeetmeinParis]

Work situ, long story short, I have a lot of experience in management, currently working in a receptionist role with fairly long hours but it is a very short commute with zero stress and a very simple job, it is boring as a result of there not being anything else for me to do when I'm not greeting customers or answering calls. I have quite often taken things on to help others out as I hate having nothing to do, this has been recognised and I've been offered a promotion into a different department. The department in question appears to be quite stressful but I feel I could do it, I've spent some time helping out in there and there's a lot of complaining about being busy but not actually doing very much. I'd be getting a 4k payrise but moving from a 42.5 hour week to a 45 hour week with minimal breaks. I don't need the extra money although it would be nice to have. It would be a step up for me but I cannot decide if it's worth the extra hours and potential stress. I'm 40 if that's relevant, I cannot see me doing my current job till I retire. I have DC 10 and 13 so still need childcare for youngest.

I swear there were paragraphs!, can't edit!

I would take it, if it doesn’t work out, I’d chalk it up to experience and use any new skills gained to add to my cv and then move to another role after a year.

Bored. I would just find ways to fill the time.

Stress is a killer, literally.

In a job, a bit stressed is better than being bored in my view. As long as it's not too stressful. From what you've said, in your shoes I'd take the promotion.

I'd rather be stressed.

Within reason obviously.

But being bored is so demoralising. You are obviously skilled, diligent and a good worker. A lot of people arent and would just be content milking a non-demanding job.

If I was you I would DEFINATELY take the promotion. Even if you don't want to stick at it long term - it also puts you in a better bargaining position if you wanted to move on.

In my own experience boredom in work leads to stress iyswim. I've become so demotivated due to boredom that it starts to stress me out both in work and outside. Some stress is good for you but I've also been at the extreme of this where it's nearly broken me.

Thankfully now I happily in a motivated interesting job, that doesn't bore me. The stress I tend to feel is of my own making and by trying to be a perfectionist and thankfully it comes up only rarely.

Bored

Er, bored. No brainer question, op

It depends... there is the positive type of stress that keeps you going and you get things done. You will have a sense of achievement at the end Than there is to negative type that is commonly associated with the word stress.

If it's the former I'd go for the promotion.

I've had stressful busy jobs but the job I'm in now in mind numbingly boring to the point it has really effected my mental health . There have been times where I have absolutely nothing to do but still have to look like I'm busy . I did ask for more work but nothing materialised so I stopped asking in the worry I'd talk myself out of a job. I ended up taking a huge pay cut to go part time to save my sanity
I'd much rather be busy and stressed than clock watching all day every day

My current job is boring as hell. It's a busy job but boring and monotonous. So I don't like the job and looking to change but I would rather be bored than stressed. I have had stress before and it was horrendous and made me really ill.
It depends how stressful it is. If it's minimal it might be okay but based on my experience I wouldn't risk it.

Stressed deffo. Can't stand being bored.

Stressed I would say but for your increase in workload and hours I would argue for a more significant pay rise than what they are currently offering you.

I think it depends on your situation. For me I spent 15 years in very high stress jobs that paid great and were really interesting and fulfilling. However after that period of time the stress built up and physically damaged me. Now I prefer boredom but some level of fulfilling.

I've done my time and it nearly killed me but saying that depends on the level of stress, deadline based and manageable. Yes go for it fulfilling work is worth it.

Under funded and constant stress , nope not worth it

I was just working out the extra hours OP and that is an extra 40 hours a month for 4K a year. That is very good value from their point of view - not so much yours. If you want to take it, take it - but I would question the extra money and expect more for those hours.

Thanks for the replies, I do think I thrive on a bit of stress, I am aware clinically diagnosed stress is a different kettle of fish btw.
I'm bored to the point of thinking it is starting to affect my MH feeling like I'm achieving nothing.
I've been in very stressful jobs and i thi k i have a fear of going back there. My DH keeps telling me to believe in myself and that I'm putting myself down thinking I can't do the promoted post but I dont think it is that, I have the guilts over leaving my 10 year old for even longer (13 yo barely notices as he is tied to his xbox ).
Perhaps it is time for me now, I've worked p/t for 12 years now and didn't work when both were babies for a year at a time. I'm rambling, I apologise.....

Good point about the extra hours for the money, thanks, I'll look into it

@MeetmeinParis - I think there are levels between bored and stressed.
Stressed is usually when people are disorganized.

I would do anything to avoid being bored - but I prefer having an increased workload with me in charge, so it is not stressful.

You mentioned that they say they are busy, but not achieving anything. That is alarm bell for me! You are likely to get into an entry level so less control over them being disorganized. i would find it frustrating

Could you look around and check why they are busy before you accept the offer?
as optimistic as it sounds, if you dont need the money and have childcare (with you being the main parent or first port of call) caveats... well, not easy!

Good luck and please let us know how you take it further and why

Bored - but I rarely am. I can find something to do in a room with nothing in.
Currently I am more stressed than I have ever been before. It's taking all my will power just to walk into work, and by the time I get home all I wasn't to do is sleep.

I feel your pain @MeetmeinParis I’m dying of boredom in my job 🤦‍♀️ It wasn’t what I was expecting when I took it and I knew within an hour i’d made a mistake. 16 months later i’m still here and job hunting.

I can't bear being bored at work. I find that really stressful in itself. I'd much rather have a job other people consider stressful. It keeps me motivated

I'd rather be a bit stressed than a bit bored. I think you become more efficient and more productive. But very bored is better than very stressed.

Bored.

Hey OP - it is actually an extra 10 hours a month but that still amounts to an extra 120 hours a year before you go in quoting my last figures .

I would rather be busy than bored though like most other people.