Doing very little for this salary? Panic

[Greenwip]

I’m earning close to 70k. I do have times where I am worked to the bone and very stressed (maybe 7 days since start of the year so averaging one day a month). The rest of the time I work 90% of the time from home and have naps, a bath, food shop etc in between a few emails and remote meetings. It sounds great and sometimes it is but I am constantly worried about job security. I wonder if this is more common than I think?

But I find with this kind of money+, I'm expected to face difficult clients, make difficult decisions and generally try and help the company grow. I've got to have awkward conversations internally and persuade people. I also have a lot of knowledge more junior workers just don't... so whilst I don't work flat out, I do work very hard the hours I work... but it's more than 1 hour a day! You're lucky Op. But the money is for the years of experience I have, and the credibility I bring.

You're very fortunate.

The people I know who earn that (and double) work their socks off every single day.

And they have degrees, Masters and PhDs.

What is your job?

For those asking for sectors I work in investments. Plenty of men doing sweet FA in this sector as well, the women tend to work a bit harder, but my word the men talk a good game.

This makes me feel ill. I spent 4 years at uni and work long as a teacher. What a sorry world we live in. I get 20 mins a day for lunch and that’s it.

Can I have your job! Sorry, just joking.

Nope, don't feel bad at all. I know lots of Ken in Fiscal industries earning around 100k and doing not a huge amount, and the certainty don't seem to feel bad because they are entitled men who gave believe in their worth. Do the same. Women are trained to think they are imposters, need to impress etc.You are probably very skilled beyond the average person, so don't worry. Enjoy.

So would you also be happy if someone who worked in the public sector did the same thing? Your taxes are paying their wages!

Ken - I meant men

If you "have to be creative" with your time then that surely suggests you shouldn't be running out (for want of a better phrase) of work to do? In what way are you creative with it - what is it you tell those above? Genuine question here, no judgement!

I think many would think you have it made, so to speak. And if you're comfortable with it (aside from the worry about being dispensable) then crack on! But I personally could not think of anything worse than having a job where you don't actually have much work to do. I think I'd go stir crazy!

Nothing to do with gender

I have a six figure private sector role and typically do 8-10 hours of actual work per week. Has been like this for several years and almost entirely WFH since Covid.

It's a recurring job rather than project-based so sometimes there just isn't much going on, but they need someone who knows what they're doing for what is required (whilst knowing they have someone competent and trusted in place if the workload suddenly picks up).

Obviously bored but would be absurd to give it up for more stress somewhere that I need to commute to, and where I need to build that trust from scratch.

What kind of business is it and how did you start it? Sounds amazing and well done you!

In my experience in senior management we are well aware of the people who are doing barely anything while working from home and although in some cases we might now act immediately there are absolutely plans in place to sort it. Some of that will be targeted at those individuals but some will be more indiscriminate and sadly will mean people who do work hard at home will end up in the office more frequently.

But I don't think anyone is fooling us. It's obvious from output and availability. It's just sometimes there are more pressing priorities to tackle first. But their cards are marked

It's simply supply and demand. If lots of people are qualified and willing to do your job and it requires face to face; you're going to work your socks off. Those with a morality complex who think they know better honestly need not apply. If you measure value in hours put in then that's not the right fit. My department is chock full of women because it pays well and it's hugely flexible. We mitigate huge risk to the business and deliver business goals and products that give value to shareholders. We also can take care of sick kids and nip out for brunch. When needed we put in ridiculous hours and do not stop until it's done.

The post might not be about gender, but I think you'll find gender definitely affects roles and attitudes at work. Quite a few stats out there, but you might be lucky and work in a gender equal job, which is amazing!

Don’t think that’s true at all - many really good companies treat employees like grown ups and realise while there are down times there are also times where you need to step up. You sound like a really horrible manager to be honesf.

I earn just shy over £100k. I'm contracted for 35 hours per week and rarely work over that. Loads of flexibility. I'm paid that much because I have niche experience and the role I do gives a return on investment on my salary of at least 10:1 (directly measurable in £). I walk the dog, do the school run etc. All my team do.

Oh and I've had a super performance rating against all my objectives (large corporate) each year.

My line manager doesn't give a flying fuck what hours I work so long as I get results, which I consistently do.

It is definitely something we should talk about particularly as women and I do so with my own children. Picking a job which is intellectually stimulating but which can give you a really good income and working from home is a bonus. Unfortunately many people can qualify as teachers so it will never be a job where you can dictate the conditions. Would you consider retraining if you are stem or in computing?

So you are expected to be working when you are not. Your managers believe that you are working when you are not.

Why is this?
Is there not enough work?
Are you super efficient and smart?

I am very far from the corporate world, so someone might have to explain it to me. I am in academia (journal publishing). Our time is not monitored (we are expected to be working), and we never run out of work.
If we get through the more routine parts we work on development or think up something new or contribute to something else. If, I don't know, it's the week before Xmas, and work is quiet, no one's going to mind if someone bunks off early, but we'd let the team know (it all works out cos no one takes the piss).

I understand that there are roles which require very specific knowledge and that these people can command high salaries, yet not be working all the time, and other roles have such massive responsibility that people can again command high salaries. This doesn't sound like OP's situation because she is stressed about being found out.

Which isn't OP's situation. Her managers (or someone) is monitoring her hours.

There's a huge difference between treating people like grown ups who have peaks of work and quieter times and tackling people who are consistently doing next to nothing.

This thread is making me feel extremely miffed by my life choices, but it’s not because I haven’t tried. I have 2 degrees. I work myself to the bone and yet I don’t even make half of that. Absolutely enjoy it on behalf of the rest of us!

Why is it on the rest of you? Especially if it's a corporate. OP's job and productivity has zero impact on yours.

Big fan of the concept of swift trust - Tsedal Neeley