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I have nothing to do at work!

7 replies

christmastreewithhairyfairy · 23/01/2018 09:15

Ok, I know this sounds very much like a non problem but it's driving me mad and undermining my confidence.

Bit of context, I used to be in a perm senior-ish role, team of 15, well-known company. I left there for various reasons, took a break, then found a part time contract role, similar field but more of a consulting role, no team to lead.

It started well, I did a big audit, produced loads of documentation etc. Then after a few months it really dawned that no one is interested in what I'm doing, not even my "boss" (who incidentally is someone I know from way back). I carried on for a while producing lots of slides and documents but when it's clear no one is reading them my motivation sort of ran out.

I have had lots of 121 meetings but can't get a date to present my findings to the executive group, and can't implement anything until they've seen it. I keep telling my boss that I'm running out of things to do, but he keeps saying he's happy with the work so far, that he'll try and get agreement to move on soon, etc. This week he is out of the office, but neglected to tell me!

I am in a wider team, but the rest of the team do something completely different to me, it's not even like I can just offer to take something on. I have written job specs etc but don't have the authority to start hiring or anything.

I know how pathetic this sounds - in my previous role I was very independent, proactive etc, and didn't need my boss to tell me what to do all the time. I can't be proactive here - because I am only here short term my boss doesn't want me implementing anything without his say so.

WWYD? Find something - anything to do, if so how? Quit? It's such a good set up in other ways that I'm nervous about finding something similar. Or should I just be happy that for a short period I'm being paid for doing not much, take the opportunity to learn a new skill?

OP posts:
daisychain01 · 23/01/2018 16:29

If all the work you are doing is non urgent and optional nice to haves rather than being critical to support the business, then it spells danger over the longer term. For now, inertia may have an effect on your Manager not giving you any pressure, but there will come a time when the spotlight will be on your role.

Not suggesting you jump ship immediately but I would recommend you get your CV out there because you may need time to find something else - but I would if I were you!

christmastreewithhairyfairy · 23/01/2018 16:45

Thanks daisy - the thing is I'm a consultant in an area which is not big for them at the minute but they want to grow in. Which is why they are not too interested at the moment, but know they should be iyswim.

Long term is not what I want anyway, in fact they are trying to persuade me to stay but for various reasons I am not interested. Partly to do with the role and partly external factors.

I'm just wondering how on earth to fill the few weeks/months I have left! I wrote a document today just for the hell of it so I'm clearly getting desperate.

Any ideas?

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blueshoes · 23/01/2018 17:49

I don't see a problem if you are only there for short term anyway. Looks like they factored that in by way of the short term contract. Perhaps you were far more efficient than they expected in finishing so quickly.

Speaking from the other side of the fence (i.e. in the position of a person who hires consultants), the company will focus on your report when it ready to focus. It seems short sighted not to maximise your skills while you are on their payroll, but unfortunately that is the way it is sometimes, when the consultants' fees do not come out of their own pockets.

You are doing everything right. Just use this fallow time to develop contacts and new leads for when your contract ends.

daisychain01 · 23/01/2018 18:00

How much longer do you have on your contract? I didn't realise it's a fixed term with a finite time, I thought it was permanent employment.

christmastreewithhairyfairy · 24/01/2018 17:48

It's meant to end at the end of Feb, but we've both agreed it could roll on.

Thanks blue. I am using the time to look for new opportunities and do some training, but feel guilty about it!

OP posts:
blueshoes · 24/01/2018 21:04

Ah, it is touching you feel guilty. You are temperamentally suited to be a consultant - your next client will be lucky to have you.

Employees don't generally see a problem with will relish dicking around for a month.

christmastreewithhairyfairy · 26/01/2018 14:20

thanks Smile

I will carry on dicking around then Grin

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