AIBU for feeling my job isn't hard enough?

[meaningofnight]

I have worked for the same employer for over 15 years.

During my time I have been promoted 3 times. I have developed my role and gone from managing no one and having few resources to managing a team of 13 and a high profile public service.

Last year, for complicated political reasons, I found that my responsibilities were to be cut in half and I was expected to take on a reduced role. My hours, job title and salary would however remain the same.

I protested and fought this with the help of the union. Finally I got my employer to offer me a redundancy package. But they also said they didn't want to lose me and would offer me a new job at a higher grade and increased salary instead. I accepted this new role.

The 'new job' is in fact my old job with any organisation-wide responsibility removed. So it is much easier - and much less interesting because I can't actually achieve anything. Anything I suggest is turned down.

So, I have a good salary and a very good work location and nothing to do (except very easy basic stuff). My DH says it's a no brainer - less work for more money - what could be better. But I feel unhappy.

I have thought of doing a PhD to use up the time, or some other kind of retraining while still there, but it's hard to do that because I still have all the basic menial stuff to do (pleasant - just not very taxing!).

If I could just accept it and switch off from the whole ambitious thing and feeling I need to develop I guess I could be happy.

WWYD? Thank your stars you have such an easy job or feel humiliated and leave?

Well I am tempted to say enjoy your easy job with great pay and low stress. But obviously it is stressing you to an extent as you are not happy. Are there other jobs you could apply for? If not, stay where you are and definitely look into part-time studying or something to stretch you. Things may change within your current job so be sure before you do anything drastic. You are obviously well thought of in your company as they wanted to keep you.
Sorry, I haven't given you any advice you probably haven't thought of yourself probably but I wanted to answer as it is not every day you read about someone with an easy job and great salary.

How flexible is the work?

Would it be possibble to do a part-time PhD or Masters?

I get where you're coming from, I had this with a job pre-children. However, with the benefit of hindsight, I would say DO NOT GIVE UP THE JOB. Look into ways to supplement it, or find other areas to fulfill yourself. YANBU but be careful.

Do the PhD! &/or any industry qualifications which would enable you to pounce if anything more challenging was advertised.

& keep an ear to the ground for more interesting jobs.

Wish I had your problem!

Everyone's going to say that, obviously, but joking aside I do take your point - I'm doing a job I've had for several years. I'd like more challenge, but it's dh's 'turn'; after several years of me being higher paid & harder worked, his career has just taken off. It's left me a bit, well, bored. So yes, I do know where you're coming from.

It all sounds a bit odd, are you sure they're not planning to axe the whole unit in the next year or so? I have heard of similiar maneovourings in public sector before. I would look for a same grade job in a different part of the organisation.

I know just what you mean. I work for a local council, and often feel bored and un-stimulated at work. However, they are very flexible in terms of hours and in many ways it suits me because of childcare etc.

I have often looked to move but have really struggled to find other part time work that would suit our family situation as well.

I have come to the conclusion that unfortunately once you have kids, there is more to a job than just the "job" if you see what I mean, it is also about the hours, the flexibility, understanding of childcare issues etc.

I plan to do some self-study (not as high-flying as a phD though!) and maybe some voluntary work too as a way of hopefully stopping the boredom from melting my brain!

I need less challenge in my job as I am always so tired and busy but do love it. I can see where you are coming from though, a challenge is preferable to boredom and the mundane.

If your job is secure and pays well I would advise looking for the challenge in other areas. What have you always wanted to do/be better at? Look at OU and home learning options, or maybe an evening class.

I agree with Seuss.
I have just swapped a very challenging job for one with a calmer working pace. I will admit that I am less fulfilled, and sometimes bored at work, which I certainly never had time to be in my old role.
The problem was that the challenging job had a habit of spilling over into other aspects of my life, for example having to work late with no notice, and being very stressed at home due to workload pressures. IMO a bit of office boredom is well worth having a better work-life balance.

Being retired now, I can look at these issues from the other end - with hindsight. I compare my sister/myself. Like you we both had this NEED to 'make a difference', could not settle for a well paid, easy, job which ultimately benefitted no one but ourselves. Sister spent nearly all her working life as a civil servant, rising steadily, good salary, great pension. But she also was a tireless Charity worker, doing 'Hands on' stuff and fundraising but also bringing her professional skills to her work as a Board member.

As for me I could not get back into Banking after I had the DDs and instead became a voluntary sector worker - long hours, low pay,no pension, very stressful - but I undoubtedly DID make a difference to the lives of 100s of women and working together with others, managed to change Government Policy and Laws.

My sister has also contributed greatly to society with her voluntary work and feels she has done her share and is still very active. Two different roads through life. Both have brought personal fullfillment but my sister's road has left her financially comfortable in retirement.

So, one piece of advice only. While you have the big salary and are making up your mind what to do next - squirrel away a nest egg, not plain savings but investments (shares, property, etc.). This will give you flexibility for the future should you decide on a career change or have one forced upon you.

'I have thought about doing a phd to use up the time' - unless you are working part time then step away from the PhD . Having recently submitted mine and been to hell and back and spent many an hour sobbing (and this was whilst working part time) a PhD is not something that just slots easily in.

A part time career related masters (or something you just enjoy) sounds like a great idea though.