Am paid a lot, work from home, bored shitless

[OliviaCat]

I work in a NHS legal/admin type role and am quite senior (40+k) but following a takeover, I've been moved to a team of ten people who basically do what I used to do. They already have a team manager. I used to be a one-man band tbh.

I don't have an office in the new org so My contract is now home based. I have teenagers and they like me being at home for them.

But I'm so bored. I've been given some projects to do but nothing that stretches me or uses my professional skills.

I've asked for a desk with the team or to be given more responsibility but it's already being managed. Im left doing really boring work and being paid a lot but it's utterly Joyless. I've asked what prospects I have for development in the new organisation but because I am from a legal type background they have said none.

I have 20 more years to work. Do I suck it up and accept that I've got a great home life but a boring job? Or do I retrain (no idea what). My skills are not transferable outside the NHS and I live in a deprived part of the country so there is no much else in terms of work. Help!

I'd take it for as long as possible- either for as long as the role lasts as it is, or until you juts can't stand it anymore, save everything you can, and look to see if there is anywhere or as anything you'd like to retrain as. It can be very isolating working from home, and I understand the boredom bit, but I'd be grabbing it as an opportunity to get further qualifications in something then that does interest you by utilising the time effectively.

Hard if your skills aren't transferable, are they really not?
I wouldn't stay in a job I didn't enjoy for £40k, even in a deprived area where I'm guessing that's not a bad salary.

The average salary here is around 18k. I would be looking at around 25k if I moved jobs, so yes it's not a bad salary at all here and is the sort of salary you'd need ten years' experience at least to earn.

So doing something more enjoyable would be a massive drop in income for me. It would be manageable but really a bit change in circumstances.

I am currently leaning towards the "hang in there and save" approach.

I work in higher education in a non academic role. That attention to detail/vaguely legal approach would be a skill in demand in a number of areas, with a similar salary.

If I were you, I would stay where I was for now, but use that time to prepare for an eventual move. It's likely that at some point in the future there will be changes within your team and you need to remain employable.

Enjoy the time whilst you can, but keep an eye on the door out.

Do you actually have enough work to fill the hours? If not then could you do something else from home as well? Consulting? Writing?

Could you go part time so you had a couple of days to yourself for something fulfilling? By going to 3 days you would still be earning what other full time jobs locally would pay. You coukd then find somethibg like a hobby or volunteering to satisfy the boredom especially as your teens are enjoying yoi being around. After all they won't be there much longer.

I would use the time to gain a professional qualification in a transferable skill. Prince 2 project management?