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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Not much work to do

28 replies

Bluevelvetcake2 · 04/10/2022 12:11

Has anyone had a job where there just wasn’t much work to do?

I started a new job 6 months ago and there really isn’t much to do. I think my manger overestimated what would be required when creating this role. It was part of someone else’s role and they were struggling because they had other things to do but it’s really not a full time role. I’ve flagged it to my manager a few times and he gives me odd bits and pieces to do but seems to be struggling to find anything substantial. Some of my other colleagues seem very busy and I’ve offered to help them out but haven’t really had anything from them either. It’s ok for now but just wondering how long for. Has anyone been a similar position?

OP posts:

aluvss · 04/10/2022 12:56

I actually have been in your position, I did ask for extra work and it did not materialise. I used the time to do online courses to gain more knowledge and I applied for a promotion when it came up.

Original poster

Bluevelvetcake2 · 04/10/2022 13:23

I have thought about applying for other jobs but the issue is I’m in an industry I really like and the job is fully remote and jobs like this don’t come up very often. On the other hands worry is stagnating and not being able to progress.

OP posts:

Oneinamelon · 04/10/2022 13:38

I am in exactly this position now. I moved roles internally several months ago, to what I had always assumed was a busy and fast pace department with lots going on. Before I moved, those already in the department would mention regularly how busy they were.

However since I joined, I've realised that is very much not the case. I've been in the role since June and in that time have probably done on average 1 days worth of work a week.

I've spoken to my manager a few times and he keeps telling me things will pick up, but so far it hasn't. I'm also being given very little training on the small amount of work there is. I've offered to do work for other departments and I've done a bit, but I find that I'm constantly chasing it and I don't really see at is my responsibility to be chasing work. I'm not management level. But I'm so very bored! I'm very much regretting leaving my previous role.

Original poster

Bluevelvetcake2 · 04/10/2022 13:54

It’s amazing isn’t it that roles are created where there’s very little work! In my case the role is paid very well too. I probably do about a days worth of work every week as well.

The trouble is I’ve previously been in a role which was quite demanding with long hours. I don’t want that again either!

OP posts:

BuffaloCauliflower · 04/10/2022 13:57

What sort of work is it? Would it be possible to take work others are doing or is it more defined?
Id try and have a proper meeting with your manager and say ‘there just isn’t enough for me to do, what projects/responsibilities could I take on so we’re both getting the most out of my time’. If there’s any obvious low hanging fruit you can suggest that would probably help.

Hymnulop · 04/10/2022 14:00

Use the time! Do courses and study to achieve something more, all whilst getting paid in work time!

flingingmelon · 04/10/2022 14:01

I work in a cyclical industry where it's six months of crazy busy and six months of projects to fill the time.

Arguably the company could make us all contractors and only hire us when they need us, but what we do is pretty niche and in demand so I suppose they don't want to risk it.

Is there any chance your room is the same?

flingingmelon · 04/10/2022 14:02

Room? Role!

springhassprung22 · 04/10/2022 14:06

Yes my job can be like this. I work PT and it's still not enough work to fill the time. I have peaks and troughs and it can be busy (busy enough to fill my working week) but not all that often. It's well paid too.

I WFH so to be honest, I take advantage by fitting in exercise, house jobs, watching TV. I have young DC so I'm not interested in studying or anything further. I feel like I might as well enjoy it while I can!

Original poster

Bluevelvetcake2 · 04/10/2022 14:11

Nope it’s not cyclical. Work is pretty consistent throughout the year.

Ive spoken to my manager about this issue about 5-6 times and the tasks that get suggested are simply not time consuming enough or long term enough but I don’t want to seem “difficult” so I do them and then the following week it’s the same conversation again.

I have a colleague who is quite stretched and wants to offload an aspect of his role but it’s a super stressful task so I feel a bit unsure about whether to volunteer to take it up as I might end up regretting it.

OP posts:

Original poster

Bluevelvetcake2 · 04/10/2022 14:13

@springhassprung22 Yes I also have young children like you so sometimes think I should just make the most off it. Like I said last job was very demanding so I also don’t want that! Just wish I could have a little bit more to do.

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BeanStew22 · 04/10/2022 14:48

@Bluevelvetcake2 : I have been in exactly this position, it frustrated me a lot as I am experienced & senior. I left

What I WISH I had done was use the time to do additional courses - so do that!

It is really unusual in my experience and a bit of a gift

Use the time to exercise, do your chores so you can spend more time with your kids but above all to improve your skills (eg a PT masters? Or tech skills) - stay in the job 2+ years and develop yourself

If you are not sure what skills: call recruiters in your field, share your CV, ask about other jobs/your pay relative to your field (as it never hurts to ask), & what skills would make you more marketable

If you really want to know what would make you more marketable apply for jobs and find out what skills are in demand that way: I have and now understand what skills others are bringing to the table so I’m working on acquiring those while in my next role

cooolio · 04/10/2022 14:51

Do you work from home? If so, enjoy. Really don't see the problem. Read, do a course, decorate

BeanStew22 · 04/10/2022 14:52

@Bluevelvetcake2 : I totally understand your concern about stagnation, I was worried about that too. I was doing probably 2 really good days work & tried a lot to expand my role

I really would go down the additional training route: you can also look at the linked in profiles of your ‘competition’ in other companies to see what courses/qualifications they have done

RandomMusings7 · 04/10/2022 14:52

I've been there is such a soul sucking position. I hated it. Thankfully it was a temporary thing for me while defining a new department and clarifying expectations and actual responsibilities. The problem fixed itself once the right manager was appointed.

Can you WFH? Use the time for personal projects.

If not, do free courses on coursera/edEx/etc. Helps you look busy and not go insane from idleness while in the office

Iamclearlyamug · 04/10/2022 14:54

I'm in a similar position, contracted 20 hours a week and probably only do half that. I'm fully remote with no telephone work so I just live my life and dip in and out. I go food shopping, out to lunch with friends, walk the dog - whatever I feel like. I feel lucky actually, although I appreciate others might feel unfulfilled by it

Signeduptosimplyreplytothis · 04/10/2022 14:55

I had a job like this, the guy who was meant to do my work couldn't be bothered so had created a massive backlog. I was employed to clear it and then his job became mine and they found something else for him to do.

The clearance work was full time but to maintain it? 2 hours a day maximum. I wasn't allowed to wfh or study in the office and I was so bored! I left pretty soon after.

BeanStew22 · 04/10/2022 16:49

Hi OP - btw, this may not be a v nice thing to say but if your company realises you have v little to do, is there a risk your role could be eliminated?

This is a good reason to stay current skills wise - and also consider how vocal you want to be about this situation

Speaking from experience, it is quite easy for companies to eliminate roles or if they are underhand end your employment for other reasons as a cover for eliminating an unneeded role : so watch out for that

BobbinThreadbare123 · 04/10/2022 16:53

Been there, haven't done that. Apparently I was joining a dynamic department with loads of stuff to do and they needed my skill set. I left! Can't abide being bored and there's only so many courses, household chores and repeatedly asking for tasks you can do.

Original poster

Bluevelvetcake2 · 04/10/2022 17:09

@BeanStew22 Yes that’s another worry off mine! Kind off annoyed that they created a role without assessing how much work there actually is. Having said that I have seen how they are keen to hold on to “talent” as they recently closed down a sub team and have given them all other roles but of course what you say is a possibility.

OP posts:

BeanStew22 · 04/10/2022 17:21

@Bluevelvetcake2 : I was in the same boat

How is your work history? (Ie how many years, any gaps/short term moves)? It may be worth developing your own ‘2 year plan’ of what to do in this role (eg a PT masters?) depending on your circumstances, if you plan another baby etc

If you’d rather leave, one 6 month stint is ok on a CV but loads not so … in which case choose your next move with care

in your situation (WFH roles rare, young kids) I think it would be an ideal time to do a substantial part time or even full time course if you really only have 1 days work a week

Would doing a masters over 2 years make sense/grow your professional profile? If so I’d be looking at that - I know it’s an expense but you are unlikely to be paid to sit at home ever again (chrvk it’s something you could wrap up early and get a certificate or diploma if needed)

if that’s not an option, can you try to freelance or start a side hustle?

I’m 20 years into my career and this was a 1 time only situation for me: personally I wish I had kept quiet & done a PT course. If this is an option in my next role I will be doing that

Relocatiorelocation · 04/10/2022 17:28

Just use the time to do courses,read, think, do housework, prep meals....anything to make your life easier. With small dc I'd say a year of stagnating isn't the worst thing to ever happen.

IamnotSethRogan · 04/10/2022 17:28

My role was a bit like this when I started. It was a combination on the role being created just as the company was expanding with the anticipation of there being additional responsibilities going forward and my manager having quite a lot of work herself and not often the time to train me to do new parts of the job.

I think it's quite normal in a new role for it to take a while to get someone up to full capacity. At the moment it might feel like it would take longer for your colleagues to show you how to do something as opposed to doing it themselves. I

Littlebutload · 04/10/2022 17:42

I am also in this situation but as I WFH and have young children it suits me. The way I look at it is I am there, I am available if required. Also it won't look any better having done more drudge work if I went for an interview!

Original poster

Bluevelvetcake2 · 04/10/2022 17:47

There is a course I could do that would be helpful but it also requires certain work based experience which my company could offer but I’m not currently doing that type of work. So I would need to tell them I’m planning to do this degree and want to do some other work in order to get the qualification. Not sure how receptive they will be to that. I’m pretty new still. Other than that course my job really requires more work experience than qualifications.

OP posts:

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