Took a sick day as I'm burnt out

[Henrietta1000]

I work between 44-50 hours a week which I know isn't even as much as some people on here must do, however working 6 days a week is draining.
I have no children so I know it could be worse, but I'm fed up. So I've called in sick today, luckily my last sick day was a year ago and it's not a job where they'll be short staffed.
I'm in the Civil Service as an AO. Whilst I enjoy the role, an AO salary is not great for a person living alone..I've applied for 3 EO roles but have come to understand how unbelievably slow they are. I sent 2 of my applications 3 months ago and still waiting to hear if I have an interview!
So I've currently got a second weekend/evening job. There's no guaranteed overtime in my civil service role, it used to be unlimited now it's capped.

I'm a qualified teacher, but gave up trying to get a job. I'm in languages, was turning up to interviews with 5 others and failing every time, got put on a support plan in one so resigned, or just not getting interviews. So I did supply, which was fine and paid better but I wanted something permanent and stable.

Please do not tell me it's worth it because of the pension, when you have a low salary and are quite young, you're obviously not going to put up with that for 30 years!
I've had a very productive day so far, cleaning my home and tidying, also just catching up on TV.
It's hard sometimes! I went to a hen the other week and all of my schoolfriends are now band 7 or 8 NHS, manager of xyz, and I'm in an entry level admin job despite going to uni.
6 days a week isn't sustainable much longer!
It's not even an AIBU, just a rant. Even EO roles are very competitive, I'm so fed up.

Yes, unfortunately

I took it as a foot in the door to a permanent CS role. I've had help with the personal statements, STAR and everything.

Oh I see. I thought you meant you were a permanent member of staff. Could you approach the agency and ask them to identify a placement that’s more suitable? AO public sector jobs can be very boring and repetitive

2 days off in a year? Really?

I'm not trying to make it worse, but surely you're therefore also not in the civil service pension scheme...? So I wouldn't be hanging in for that!

Surely you need to look outside the CS if you can't live on your current wage and you're finding promotion opportunities are too few and too slow? The government is very clear they're looking to reduce CS headcount not increase, so it seems unlikely that you'll find that this situation changes for the better.

I think you know the answer yourself, you need to move jobs.
I know its rubbish applying and applying and getting now where but it will come.

Give yourself today to feel shit and just potter around. Get your mind into this job is not for ever. Just keep going and something will turn up.

I know it sounds simplistic but some times we get overwhelmed and can't see an exit strategy.

Actually we haven't.

Thanks all. I just feel like a loser, wish I'd qualified in something else tbh.

The agency is called Brook Street if anyone knows, they don't currently have EO roles going sadly.

Brook Street have been going for decades. I remember them in the 80s. If it’s the salary you’re after you’d be better looking at the private sector.

Temping in finance? Are you in London?

This is ridiculous! What a load of crap!

1. Sick leave - unless you are on a warning or something similar will never be taken into account.
2. There is no such thing as promotion in the Civil Service. Each role is advertised externally and you need to apply, as any other candidate would. Again - references are not asked for, as employment is based off of Civil Service Behaviours- sick leave will not be taken into account.

I guess, what do you think is getting in the way of you getting a more responsible and ultimately more highly paid job? You were put on a support plan when teaching so maybe that isnt for you. But are there really no administrative jobs you could get after? How come you are in temp roles - have the interviews for permanent roles been just as difficult as in teaching?

The civil service is one employer, but there might be other jobs where a university educated smart person could do well and then build up to being manager of xyz like your friends.

If you can't manage to find a job, could you relocate to somewhere there is more?

You seem burnt out on quite a low level of stress, have you considered anything might be getting in your way such as an undiagnosed neurodivergence or something - kindly it feels like your life seems very difficult to you, but from an observer on the outside it doesn't seem so hard?

Feeling burnt out is a health issue, so fine to take leave if it will help.
Could you consider babysitting in the evening instead of your current second job? It’s probably less tiring than many evening jobs (assuming you might be in retail or hospitality, but perhaps not).

Which bit is crap? The simplicity of the jobs or the sick leave? Ok OP’s sick leave isn’t excessive. She’s a temp. She needs to be established before she applies for promotion

Nasty!

Speak for yourself, I'm not saying I'm a martyr or perfect in any way but I've never taken a day off when I was well enough to work, surely that's the same for most people

My role is in a call centre, and my other roles is working with children with learning difficulties, no I'm not ND because I'm fed up of 50 hour weeks, but thanks for your suggestion 😂

Wtf? If you have one day off sick you will never be promoted? That’s bullshit.

I must be behind the times. A call centre?

I've taken a day off that I'm not being paid for. Colleagues have had weeks off at a time which is their right to do so. I'm fed up of the anger towards people being off sick, it doesn't make you a better human being because you've never taken one day off ever in your life.

Some departments in the CS have contact centres and I am in one of them.

I can see why some would think you're taking the piss. Burnout is real but usually means you need time in bed/slobbing on the sofa to recover. It is hard to take someone seriously when they claim they need more from their employer whilst also explaining that they take time from their employer to clean their house as they are unable to manage to do this on their day off as a person with pnly themselves to clean up after. Post like this are why those in genuine need do not get taken seriously.

There isn't a single definition of burnout that means every single person will be 'slobbing on the sofa'. Respectfully, maybe this is the first time I've tidied in a while, you honestly have no idea. If people are so angry about this then they should look at the issues in their own roles.

Have you thought about teaching in the Middle East? Amazing opportunities, pay and accommodation

I can't sadly, I have a mortgage and my partner here, but thanks.