AIBU to stop overperforming at work?

[ParotidPal]

I took a part-time, junior public sector job at 50 after a long private-sector career. Supposed to be an “easy” role, but because I’ve got loads of transferable skills I’ve been smashing it… and now they keep piling on more.

I’m working way beyond my hours, they won’t promote me, and I can’t seem to hold back and just do the basics like my colleagues.

AIBU to down tools a bit and stop over-delivering? How do I actually do that without feeling like I’m letting people down and experiencing a big dent in my professional pride?

I found out the hard way that the only reward for hard work is more work! I learnt to stop saying yes to everything and I’m no longer the go-to super-reliable highly-praised one at work butttt I’m also not stressed up to my eyeballs anymore. The turning point was a project with a 24 hour deadline that would’ve taken 20 hours to complete. I started working a bit slower, taking longer to respond to things and just saying I couldn’t do things more often. I’m still reliable in that I always meet deadlines, but I only take on what I can manage and push back when I have enough to be getting on with

If you want to stay there you need to make it rewarding and sustainable, make it work for you as you intended. But if you would like a promotion, go for it elsewhere. There's a middle ground - healthy assertiveness and co operation. Value yourself and they might too (no one ever does until you stop, weirdly).

I’d keep doing more (but cut down) as you could be chosen for a temp promotion or of course use these skills for interviews of next grade. You can’t just give out jobs at the civil service without advertising.

I don't think you should have to work more hours than you are paid for, but do your fellow citizens not deserve your best efforts?

I don't think you should have to work more hours than you are paid for, but do your fellow citizens not deserve your best efforts?

And me! I’ve read through this thread with huge interest.

This is exactly what it’s like where I work (I’m part-time too).
Some people just faff about writing endless reports with lots of pretty graphs about work plans that are never actioned.

Oooh my new motto
”Act your wage”!

“No, that’s not my job, ask X”
”I’ll get to that next week when I’m back at work”