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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if there are actually any pleasant jobs any more

77 replies

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 10/04/2022 21:58

Everyone seems overworked underpaid undervalued and often even attacked.

Are there any decent easy jobs now?

OP posts:
Original poster
daimbarsatemydogsbone · 11/04/2022 12:53

Also it's massively annoying to see senior people posting on SM about the "war for talent" and how organisations need to provide a brilliant experience if they want to retain staff, only to find my experience is the exact opposite. I don't expect the world in a crystal bucket, but definitely don't feel remotely valued or even welcome at work.

OP posts:
DancingChairs · 11/04/2022 12:56

I like my job. I'm tech adjacent (L&D function) and am paid well for what I do.

Boood · 11/04/2022 12:57

I think if you work in the private sector and aren’t customer facing or doing something very “operational” (as that tends to affect how flexible your hours and location can be) the pleasantness or otherwise of your job is entirely down to your manager and the company culture.

MintyGreenDream · 11/04/2022 12:58

Lovely non teaching job in a school easy but low pay

AllOfUsAreDead · 11/04/2022 13:02

I quite like my job now. I didn't before. But I'm being paid more, got more holidays, more flexibility and less stress. There is still stress, but it's not as bad and I can put up with it for the money.

ChloeHel · 11/04/2022 13:20

DH works TFL and it’s a very good job, not overworked and definitely not underpaid.

I’m a pharmacist and it’s the crappiest, most underpaid (along with nurses) and under appreciated job that there is for the amount you have to do. If I knew spending 5 years studying would bring me this I’d of never done it. Was half tempted to join TFL rail with DH haha.

coldandverytired · 11/04/2022 13:39

I have a fab job, totally flexible which makes me far more accepting of a slightly lower wage than if I was watched constantly, I work for a research and development agency, my boss is the managing partner (and in turn I am his boss when he works on the project side of things) he and I trust each other implicitly and know each other inside out- we don't need to ask what the other is thinking because we already know.

I genuinely believe workplace relations are the key to enjoyment, and an awareness of the wellbeing of the staff in general, I would be mortified if one of my team was worried because something had cropped up- all I ask is that they drop me a message with the problem, their preferred solution and 99% of the time my response will be 'go for it'. I also actively despise 'corporate bulls*t' and meetings for the sake of checking up on staff (morning 9am: are you awake and tied to your laptop yet type of thing). We work on trust and respect- that doesn't involve asking why someone went for a walk that over-ran their lunch break by 6 minutes and makes us a really tight knit and supportive community working for the wider benefit of the workplace.

IMO smaller companies that don't buy into the corporate ideas are usually more fun, anyone who's funded by a VC tends to go for the CB and in turn have a higher turnover of staff. Our turnover since 2019 is 0% we bring new members into the team as we grow and have a careful recruitment attitude to ensure we are picking people who match our values and company identity. Once they're in, they stay!

Everyone has a perfect fit somewhere- it's just finding it!

Wavygravy1 · 11/04/2022 13:49

I love my job. It’s hard work and they pay is rubbish but I genuinely love going every day. I work in an SEN school.

BambinaJAS · 11/04/2022 15:49

Asset Management - M&A Pricing/Risk Modelling on the life/pensions insurance side

Can be stressful when working on complex deals.

Very well paid.

Have great line manager now so really enjoy it. Have had dreadful managers in the past, and I fully agree with previous posters: you tend to leave managers, not companies.

tiktokontheclock · 11/04/2022 15:58

Agree it's completely on the manager. I had one who was brilliant - now I don't, so I'm going to look for a new job. Shame I've had to learn it the hard way.

sophienelisse · 11/04/2022 15:58

I hate mine at the minute.

Ccharlotte · 11/04/2022 16:00

Yes OP, I've found one Smile

I used to have a job that was busy, stressful but the pay was decent. But covid was the straw that broke the camel's back and I just couldn't do it anymore, it became twice as stressful.

I moved to a job that I am overqualified for but it is enjoyable enough. And there is almost no stress, the pay is almost as good and fantastic paid time off.

I am so happy I changed jobs. I'm doing some more study now I have the headspace for it, that'll keep me from getting bored and stagnating for a while.

mnnewbie111 · 12/04/2022 06:47

Opened my own coffee shop and never looked back. Not mega rich but super content (well, now the hellish bit of covid is (hopefully) over, that wasn't fun

NETSRIK · 12/04/2022 06:54

I agree it is all about the manager and colleagues. One toxic colleague changes the whole dynamic.

onedayiwillflyaway1 · 12/04/2022 06:55

@mnnewbie111

Opened my own coffee shop and never looked back. Not mega rich but super content (well, now the hellish bit of covid is (hopefully) over, that wasn't fun
Ive always wanted my own coffee/book shop.
PaintAndPirouettes · 12/04/2022 06:55

Go self employed. You'll still be overworked and underpaid, possibly worse than before, but at least you'll be in control of it all which makes it feel a lot easier.

And after a while, if you get it right, you can get a member of staff to do all the bits you don't like.

Ifailed · 12/04/2022 07:10

I love my job, I make up job descriptions and post them on the internet.

EdgeOfSeventeenAndThreeQuarter · 12/04/2022 07:18

I’m on the lowest salary I’ve ever been on since taking a Saturday job in Tesco in 1990! 😂

But, it’s an absolute doddle, low stress and in child protection which gives me an internal glow.

Recently interviewed for a position 4x the salary which would’ve been more full on - I think by “full on”, I mean wouldn’t have had time to fart and be stressed all the time.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 12/04/2022 07:27

I love my job.

I run my own dog walking and pet sitting business and work approximately 25 hours a week.

FlipFlops4Me · 12/04/2022 07:27

Book-keeper here. My work is absorbing (to me) and I have enjoyed my working life. I retire in 11 weeks and it's only very recently that the pressure of the work has started getting to me. Even this time last year I loved the job and just brushed the pressure off. The fact I can't do that anymore is what has told me it's time to go.

I will say that the clients have (to a person) been friendly, easy to get along with and I've liked working for them. Yes, they're demanding but it's their money I'm dealing with - of course they want work to be precise and accurate. I would too if it was my money.

The boss has been fun and I've enjoyed working for him and with my colleagues. All in all it's been a good working life and I don't regret my choices.

Ragwort · 12/04/2022 07:46

Bumsnett ... this question comes up every time there is a comment about charity shops.... no, of course not, there are, of course, strict rules and unannounced audit checks in charity shops. No doubt there are one or two dishonest employees/volunteers in some shops (as in every area of life) but it would be pretty obvious if your shop wasn't performing successfully. We are measured on the profit we make for the charity, and yes, we do have targets. The 'excitement' of finding a high value item, in amongst all the stained, dirty and downright disgusting donations, is knowing the amount of money we can raise for the charity. We can buy items at the full price (no discount) like any member of the public.

Oysterbabe · 12/04/2022 08:13

Not mine, that's for damn sure 😢

Oblomov22 · 12/04/2022 12:22

I love my job. Doing accounts. I love it, it makes me happy, minimal stress, it's reasonably paid.

mrziggycoco · 12/04/2022 12:51

Personally I do freelance work and fit that around my main vocation, which is caring for my family via keeping the house and making meals. I make extra money for my day to day living and leave the main income to my husband. I realised this is what makes me happy. I had a child and want to bring her up and care for her instead of being at work and paying others to do this or the state doing this.

I found a decent gig I can do from home and earn around £600/month.

Employment simply took me away from what I really wanted to be doing and I realised this wasn't how I wanted to spend my life.

Work is only worthwhile when it's enjoyed. Otherwise it's a means to an end with no intrinsic value. I like to live focused on intrinsic value. I am much happier this way than previously.

Merryoldgoat · 12/04/2022 13:00

I have a job I really like. I’m a Finance Manager and work 3/4 days (26 hours) and have autonomy, flexibility and respect.

I’m reasonably well paid and am not overworked. I’m certainly busy but it’s entirely manageable.

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