I've stumbled into a 'unicorn' job - now help me make sense of it!

[Whataweirdsituation]

Hi all,

NC for this one! Bit of a scrambled thought process here so bear with me!

Also to get it out of the way, yes, this definitely includes a bit of a #stealthbrag - though not sure it counts if it is disclosed?

I'm a single mum to a primary aged DS. For the first few years of his life, I was working a really intense upper-management role in logisitics. Crazy hours, never really 'switched off', was constantly thinking about work whilst at work but also at home/weekends/annual leave. I was exhausted and very burnt out!

I angled for, and got, a Senior Manager level office job in a totally different industry around 4 months ago. 4 days a week in office, 1 day WFH. Great company to work for, 9-5 with no expectation to pick up anything out of hours, really supportive management who actively promotes taking time out for school events/WFH during school holidays/leaving early if having a rough day - all of which is totally unknown to me! Good pay, AMAZING perks, genuinely nice people....

My 'problem' is this. I like my role and what I'm doing (think a people/HR related role) - however my actual role takes approximately 5% of my work day. Part of this is down to the fact I work very efficiently and I have a large knowledge pool to draw from, but part of it must be down to the fact there's just not enough work. I have brought this up several times with my manager, who says she'll pass things along as they come up. I've been put on several other global projects not strictly in my remit and LOVE it, however those also do not take up a huge chunk of my time and my manager is reluctant to let me take on more than a few at a time as they are not within my scope. At first I put loads of time into planning for the future/creating detailed spreadsheets of improvements that could be made etc. Turns out that creates even less work for me now ;) According to my manager its been 'a hectic time to start' and will 'slow down soon' - so I don't think we're waiting on a load of extra work or a busy period, but more the opposite.

Part of the issue comes with the fact my predeccesor really struggled with the role and seemed to be busy all the time (??) - now I've come in and implemented a lot of improvements (tbh, very easy wins that look good as numbers) it seems to everyone I am just incredibly good at the job - I've been rated 'exceeding expectations' on my reviews so far. I will also point out I am very efficient at responding to all queries, go above and beyond to help where I can (obviously because I have the time and WANT to be busy!) and this has also been flagged as a positive to my boss multiple times. I don't think there is anything else I can do to increase my workload.

There's not really scope to progress here - I like the work I have to do and don't want to go for a different role at this company. That being said, I also don't want to leave - at least not for a couple of years - because I do genuinely appriciate the great work/life balance I have, and because they will support me complete a postgrad qualification which will help me reach the next stage of my career.

So I'm left trying to fill my days in the office 😂As you can imagine, I am very up to date with life admin, podcasts, my fave Netflix shows and every thread ever posted on Mumsnet. I've also joined a gym near the office, and run all my errands during the day. I've signed up to complete my CIPD L7 (Masters degree level) from September, which the company will pay for and support me with time to study, however this is a suggested 15h a week which will help but still not completely fill up my days.

I'm considering adding in a side hustle - not sure what it would be - something using my HR or events management experience. I've checked my contract and this is allowed (into commute times or the evenings, not techinally during work hours obviously. Though other members of my team openly talk about their additional jobs consulting etc). The money isn't strictly speaking necessary but would be nice, especially as bar cost of living increases, my salary will not go up for a few years.

I feel like I've spent so long starved for time, and now suddenly I have LOADS. Too much, because I'm not sure its great for my mental health to have so much time spent doing nothing.

So my AIBU is this:

YABU - enjoy the little work you have to do, don't add in anything else. (+ for suggestions of how to create more work for myself or who else to talk to)

YANBU - definitely try and fill your days with more, here are some suggestions of what I would do with this extra time!

I'm similar and now on Thursdays and Fridays when I have finished the weeks work on Wednesday I book networking events to give me something to do. Tomorrow I have a breakfast meeting 8 /9.30 9.45 I am dog sitting till 2pm keep an eye on emails, 2.30 coffee in town with potential client. 4pm speed networking till 6pm. Friday meeting in town with potential client 11,00 lunch with potential client 12.30 - 2.30 Webinar 3.30 - 5pm . Then in march all the trade fairs start so ill be out a couple of days a week doing those then following up when I get back which will keep me busy till Summer 🌞

This is the best thing I have seen in ages.

I had a role like this. Through my honesty I'm now down to one day a week while I complete my masters.

In a way I'm a bargain because I am capable of doing more work on that one day than the full time staff do in 5.

This is because of work ethic, experience and generally being super efficient. I also don't need to attend the usual guff of the office because I'm an interim contractor. That saves huge time consuming things which aren't value adding.

I've made the job this easy by being organised. However, I still feel guilty - and bored.

I don't "moonlight" namely doing a other job on work time, but I spend time dawdling.

I'm watching with interest.......

Once had a job working as a features editor for a financial news agency that, in fact, hardly ever had any features. Maybe 8 hours work a week. How to pass the time? Finished a masters degree that I had started before taking the job then, to beat the sheer boredom of waiting for rare stories to edit, did two (yes, 2) more masters degrees. I would probably have done a fourth but my significant other said enough was enough and we weren’t going to pay more tuition fees unless I did a PhD. I was just going to start that when I was moved to a department where I actually had to work.

I just read that! Hilarious!

You could learn a language in your spare time? I would carry on as you are. As long as you're still getting great reviews and occasionally asking for more work then enjoy!

Keep up the willingness to take on new things and maybe look at some bits outside work that would aid your level 7. Perhaps parent governor post at your school, voluntary posts in shared forums that support your profession (either HR or related to the industry you work in).

If you have the scope and influence look at spinning up a HR related project that could support the CIPD lv 7 research project - an employee benefit you could introduce or a new policy that fills a gap in the provision.

But also, maybe try to relax into it a bit. Sounds like you have been going a million miles an hour so slow down, cultivate relationships, network and engage in some more strategic thinking.

Good Luck!

I had a job where August was basically supposed to be filing/archiving/clearing up as was the Christmas period. I found once I got into the swing of the role I had very little to do.

I taught myself Cantonese using a book and CD.

I had a job in the same company where I would've had plenty to do if my Manager hadn't insisted on doing everything himself. There were three in our department and when the other junior went on maternity leave they didn't bother with cover so theoretically we should've been swamped ... My Manager complained continuously about being overworked. I begged for more work and his line manager suggested he give me more to do but he only gave me stuff on Friday that was needed for Monday.

I went to the gym, pool and exercise classes that we had on site. I went for long walks in the basements of our office building. I went for coffees with friends. No one ever questioned where I was because I was at a different location to my line manager. When I was pregnant, I used to take naps in my large cupboard. As long as I remained in the office no one knew I wasn't working.

This made me spit out my drink 🤣🤣

YANBU. I understand how you feel. You think you should be doing something and worried you’re missing something? Honestly I’d start pushing for more WFH days. Well done xx

Enjoy it while it lasts but have a back up plan in case it ends

just Naff off will you (joking and I’m jealous)

HTF do you get one of these unicorn jobs?? I have asked on a previous thread and was ignored! I have worked my arse off for about 30 years, even during studying years. I have a huge amount of training and experience, still earn very mediocre money, and I have clearly made some really shit decisions in my life! I could so, so, so fill my time with all the things I want to do in life including art projects, writing, reading, volunteering etc, etc. How can people have the audacity to complain about not having enough to do and getting paid too much. I have a very short answer for this!

Completely agree with @EverydayParis - do not fill your unused hours with another job unless you need to financially. Also, as someone who has been a single parent for a long time, I found there was a tiny bit of (what felt like) a lull on the child front mid primary school. I also went from super intense job to less hours etc for some of the time my DC was in primary and it all seemed quite manageable at that point. However, there is always the unexpected when you have children and especially when you are a single parent so it is very much worth keeping bandwidth in your schedule. And when they start secondary they actually need a considerable amount of support and attention all over again as they settle into a new place/friendships/ schoolwork ramps up etc etc.

One thing you might consider, after you’ve been there quite a while (2+ years) and are still doing as well is if you can compress your hours into 4 days and have one day off (no paycut). If it remains the case that you have bandwidth in your working week then you’ll certainly be able to make that work, and once you’ve done your course it’ll be easier to argue as well. You could end up with 4 days, one from home for the same money.

Also, if you’re doing well right now please make sure you build some savings! Being a single parent can be very up and down over time and you can really get knocked sideways by circumstance. You don’t want to end up not maximizing your opportunity. Sounds like an amazing role - congratulations!

Be very careful here

I work in HR too in a global role.
What about introducing and leading a volunteering program at your site/company? (Not sure what industry your company is or how well it would be received?)

If you've only been there 4 months I'd agree with previous posters that you may find workload grows over time as people come to you more with projects and queries related to your expertise. In the meantime, I'd suggest looking at your own longer term career plan and if there is relevant development you can undertake (which may take time but not $ up front such as CIPD/ACAS e-learning) or that you can offer/deliver to others.

I do acknowledge that sometimes you can replace someone who was inefficient/incompetent and find they just filled their day but be cautious of taking on too much. I do recall a temp job in my early 20's where I completed the previous employees weekly tasks by 10am on day one which caused some confusion! However later in my career in more senior roles I've found they definitely grow over time and in HR/management there is an aspect of people becoming comfortable approaching you on issues (especially if they had challenges with prior incumbent).

Think about which opportunities and projects would you really want if on offer and focus on those. Also - is it possible to shadow/spend a day with people in other areas - it gives you a better understanding of the overall organisation and again might help you identify additional work or projects you can propose to your manager.

I'd study alongside the job if you have spare time. See if they have any apprenticeships. I did a Masters degree for free.

Go with it for now and then really throw yourself into your Masters

If I were you I would get to work on side hustles or something else in your life that needs attention such as health, fitness, your child. With all this extra time you could find a second pt job or try to make passive income starting a business, investing. Why are you wasting your time on mums net????

Man this post was about 8 paragraphs longer than it needed to be.

But yes obv do something with all your free time, don’t just stare at the wall.

A side hustle that plays to your experience sounds like a great idea! Who wouldn’t want the extra cash?