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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is it normal to hate your job?

147 replies

Fuschia657 · 10/08/2020 13:32

Trying to work out whether I’m just being a moaner or whether this is not normal. On a day to day basis, if you have a job (full time really), do you like it? Like, really, do you feel happy on a day to day basis?

I’m finding more and more than I’m struggling for any motivation whatsoever - it’s boring me to death but at the same time I feel overwhelmed with demands and stress, could work evenings and weekends and still have more to do (senior level corporate job, for context). Working from home probably doesn’t help!

So AIBU - is it normal to hate your job? Am I just being pathetic?

OP posts:
Ijumpedtheshark · 10/08/2020 13:33

I hate my job too.

OrigamiOwl · 10/08/2020 13:35

I think it is fairly normal. I'd give up work if I could afford to... I'm always baffled by people who keep working after a massive lottery win. If I'd won millions and millions my resignation letter would come in the form of a postcard from a tropical beach!

Original poster
Fuschia657 · 10/08/2020 13:36

@Ijumpedtheshark

I hate my job too.
Sad
OP posts:
grafittiartist · 10/08/2020 13:37

Probably normal, but sad. Just seems a shame.

Original poster
Fuschia657 · 10/08/2020 13:37

@OrigamiOwl

I think it is fairly normal. I'd give up work if I could afford to... I'm always baffled by people who keep working after a massive lottery win. If I'd won millions and millions my resignation letter would come in the form of a postcard from a tropical beach!
I feel like I used to really like my job, mind this was a few years ago and slightly different job. Maybe this is just what it’s like for most people?? How depressing! I’m only 35!
OP posts:
beefthief · 10/08/2020 13:37

It's normal for work to push more and more on you, until you can't cope. Need to keep you on the line. Get as much out of you as they can. You're a resource to them, like any other, and they will take as much as they can while giving you as little as possible back. Every minute you work for free, you're donating your most precious and limited resource - time - to a business that can presumably afford to pay you for that time. The company as a whole does not see you as human and purely a means to keep making money -- money extracted from your bonus labour.

Scale back the work you do and keep cashing your paycheque. If it becomes too much, move on.

Original poster
Fuschia657 · 10/08/2020 13:38

@grafittiartist

Probably normal, but sad. Just seems a shame.
Yes! Particularly as I’ve probably got 30 more years of working....!
OP posts:
Original poster
Fuschia657 · 10/08/2020 13:39

@beefthief

It's normal for work to push more and more on you, until you can't cope. Need to keep you on the line. Get as much out of you as they can. You're a resource to them, like any other, and they will take as much as they can while giving you as little as possible back. Every minute you work for free, you're donating your most precious and limited resource - time - to a business that can presumably afford to pay you for that time. The company as a whole does not see you as human and purely a means to keep making money -- money extracted from your bonus labour.

Scale back the work you do and keep cashing your paycheque. If it becomes too much, move on.

It’s a depressing thought though isn’t it?? At my level I never get paid for overtime or anything, it’s just expected that you’ll get shit done.
OP posts:
79andnotout · 10/08/2020 13:40

I hate my job. I hated my last job too. I am not sure I'm cut out for work, even though I am a go-getting 'career girl' type. I loved being a student! If I had loads of cash I'd go back to uni.

Jarofflies · 10/08/2020 13:40

I don't think it necessarily has to be that way. I absolutely hated my of job - felt sick at the thought of going in, occasionally cried in the toilets while I was there. I could have happily watched the place burn to the ground.

My new job is much better. While it doesn't exactly fill me with joy going in, I don't dread it either. I think it's worth trying something else if you are really miserable.

lifesalongsong · 10/08/2020 13:41

I have no idea what normal is but I've never had a job I hated. When I talk to friends they sometimes grumble about specific things that have happened at work but I don't think I've heard anyone say that they hate their whole job

CleanandJerk · 10/08/2020 13:42

I hate my job too.
I left my old job because I hated that. No job security, mad hours, boss was a psychopath and I do not say that lightly, work was very stressful but there was a core group of staff who supported one another.
My new job turned out to be totally different to what it is according to my job description, little flexibility, weird combatative atmosphere, long commute, they expanded recently without proper facilities so finding a parking space/leaving can be difficult but work is stress free. Trouble is, it's so stress free and easy I can see all my skills and experience slipping away.
Feel like I'm stuck here now.
Definitely would not work if I didn't have to.

everybodysang · 10/08/2020 13:42

I love my job. I really really love it. My colleagues are fantastic, it's very interesting and challenging work. It's a dream. I've had jobs I've hated and the difference in quality of life when you enjoy your work is staggering.

Nitw1t · 10/08/2020 13:43

Oh. I feel the same. Also senior and corporate.

I just got a "prestigious" promotion, I'm so lucky to have a job when my industry in general is being decimated by covid - I know I need to stick at it for the income security but I fantasise daily, if not hourly, about retirement. I'm 40. Sad

Madre1972 · 10/08/2020 13:45

I genuinely love my job. I’ve had jobs that I truly hated, that sucked the life out of me. I’ve been in my current role a little under 3 years, it’s busy, demanding, sometimes pressures and stressful but I’ve never had that Sunday night dread feeling of Monday approaching.

Staringpoodleplottingrottie · 10/08/2020 13:47

I don’t think everyone feels like this, no. I’ve had a couple of jobs I hated but now I’m in one I generally like. I don’t really understand people who say they’d give up work if they had loads of money, I’d feel stagnant and useless if I didn’t have something to do every day. I like feeling like I’m contributing to society (but my job is one where I’m able to highlight and talk about social issues, I appreciate not everyone has that privilege)

WellThankyouAJPTaylor · 10/08/2020 13:48

I like my job most of the time. About 10% of the time I get something fun to do and then I love it. Another 10% I get something crap and then I get annoyed with it but still wouldn't ever say I hate it, no.

I do feel pretty lucky tbh

katy1213 · 10/08/2020 13:48

Bored with mine. Sitting here on Mumsnet instead of cracking on! Never had a job I've actively loved - though I was very glad to leave the one I actively hated.

jessstan2 · 10/08/2020 13:50

I once had a job that I really disliked. I stuck it out for a year, was very glad to leave. There's no point staying in a job you hate. Look around for something else and there will be something.

insancerre · 10/08/2020 13:52

I love my job, it’s sometimes stressful but very rewarding
I work with children and I really couldn’t imagine doing anything different
Unless I won the lottery, then I would be gone in a flash

Palegreenstars · 10/08/2020 13:56

I really like my job. I work in the charity sector and so even the tedious tasks do make you feel good about what you are doing. We have had many senior people move from corporate across and all say that has changed how they feel about what they do (positively!). There are still hard days or people but I never have that Sunday evening dread.

Curiosity101 · 10/08/2020 13:56

I feel very 'meh' about mine. I'm working towards a promotion into a role that I should hopefully enjoy, but I'm very aware that I do this job because it pays well.

All the jobs I've had in the past that I genuinely enjoyed were to do with animals and the outdoors. They also paid minimum wage (if that).

If I won the lottery I would definitely still work part time, but certainly not in the job I'm in now. I'd volunteer at an animal charity or invest in some sort of animal based business.

Caryler · 10/08/2020 13:57

I wouldn’t say I love my job, but I don’t hate it. I have hated previous jobs and dreaded going in. I don’t wish away the week and live for the weekend and I am content with not loving my job.

It pays well enough, gives me the freedom to do things outside of work and I’m not chained down. I have really enjoyable days with it too - and just job satisfaction. I have the odd crappy day as well.

I certainly wouldn’t keep my job if I didn’t need to work for money though haha.

Metalhead · 10/08/2020 14:00

For years I hated my job. Thankfully it was only part time so I started volunteering one day a week to give me some sense of purpose. I’ve now been in a full time paid role with the organisation I volunteered for for 1.5 years, and while I still have off days, overall really like my job.

Time to figure out what you’d enjoy doing and go for it OP! (And I know that’s easier said than done.)

Original poster
Fuschia657 · 10/08/2020 14:02

@Nitw1t

Oh. I feel the same. Also senior and corporate.

I just got a "prestigious" promotion, I'm so lucky to have a job when my industry in general is being decimated by covid - I know I need to stick at it for the income security but I fantasise daily, if not hourly, about retirement. I'm 40. Sad

Sadly I recognise this Sad I know I’m very fortunate and I’m very ambitious so I do want to carry on progressing but god it is hard work.
OP posts: