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Original poster

Am i mad... or is this weird?

18 replies

happysadgirl1986 · 29/09/2020 11:10

I just want someone to tell me I’m not mad for thinking my current situation is odd.
I recently got a new job as an assistant manager and I started three months ago and I do nothing… ok well I do a few things. Save some emails, reply to some emails but all in all I do about 30 minutes to an hour or two of proper work a day.
I sit in the office all day and get tasks here and there and I might be busy with that for a week if I really push it then back to nothing. I like having a chill out as much as the next person but its mind numbingly boring doing nothing for hours on end days on end, like I ended up reading the art of war one afternoon boring.
I have received no training since the training I received in the first week and due to the nature of the job only my team know the job so I can’t go elsewhere to ask for training. Iv read all I can on the job i.e. my induction pack and iv gone online to see if I can read up more to help me with the job but again my senior managers need to train me to I know more about the job.
I raised this as a concern to the head and deputy manager and it resulted in nothing. In fact I was told that as I learn more about the role I will figure out how to fill my day. BUT I LEARN NOTHING!!! And there doesn’t seem to be a plan in place for me to. Im supposed to be an assistant manager and im currently a PA - which there is nothing wrong with but I didn’t apply to be PA
This isn’t normal is it, im not mad or am i?
(sorry for the long post)

OP posts:
CloudsCanLookLikeSheep · 29/09/2020 18:38

It's not normal and its not nice. It also means your manager is not aware of, or doesn't care about, how to manage you.

I'd leave (hard in the current climate I know)

killerofmen · 29/09/2020 18:50

It's sounds very reactive and passive. Have you tried to implement your own ideas? Set up meetings with staff and see what their aims/challenges are, what processes they like/dislike and figure out a project from that.

Is it a small or large organisation?

Also, how much do you get paid and do you want to swap?

Aquamarine1029 · 29/09/2020 18:53

Good grief. I'd be bored stiff. Can you be a bit assertive and ask to be a part of projects or make up your own? I would.

LiveFromHome · 29/09/2020 18:54

Sounds exactly like my last job in the NHS. I lasted about 6 months, I was getting seriously depressed and had to leave.

Original poster
happysadgirl1986 · 30/09/2020 09:46

Hi thank you all for confirming that i am not mad!!
I work in security management in a large organisation, but my team is external to the organisation.
Im the youngest in the team by about 10 years and all other people in my team have years of experience in and outside the sector.
Iv tried to suggest a few things (simple changes to make things easier). But when suggested one of my colleagues who’s been in the sector since the dawn of time didn’t have a good reaction so im now reluctant to make any suggestions The other man I work with is the same anytime I even try and word things differently he corrects me.
I feel like im getting depressed, I wake up in the morning dreading going into work.
Iv got some jobs im going to apply for, I really don’t think I can keep on like this.

OP posts:
Original poster
happysadgirl1986 · 30/09/2020 11:22

seems so, i really want to quit but financially i would be setting myself up for failure.

OP posts:
NewbieManager · 04/12/2020 23:40

Is there a wider context eg is this a role that has been newly created?

HollowTalk · 04/12/2020 23:44

Don't leave the job.

Is there anything you can do, training-wise, that would help you in your long-term career? Forget about this job for a bit - think longer-term and use the time to train.

2020parrot · 04/12/2020 23:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
happysadgirl1986 · 05/12/2020 10:28

@NewbieManager

Is there a wider context eg is this a role that has been newly created?
The role has been around for years but a new deputy manager role was created a year ago. Between the previous post holder leaving and me starting the other members of my team had taken over a substantial amount of my role and I was told that I was not going to get these jobs back.
OP posts:
Original poster
happysadgirl1986 · 05/12/2020 10:33

Iv tried looking for some training online but as I work in security- well security is right most sites are blocked. As I work in security auditing a lot of the job is stuff that had to be learned on the job - due to covid a there is restrictions on who can go out of the office for work and I’m one of the people who can’t therefore I can’t shadow anyone.

OP posts:
Doyoumind · 05/12/2020 10:34

Has nothing changed since September then? What are your assigned responsibilities? Do you have a job description? Who is your manager? How are you reviewed in your role? Is there an HR department?

Doyoumind · 05/12/2020 10:35

Cross post but that's a bit of a drip feed to reveal your lack of work is due to Covid.

Original poster
happysadgirl1986 · 05/12/2020 10:41

@2020parrot you are correct in saying I don’t have enough work but the issue also is that the jobs that are more interesting that my predecessor did I won’t do as other colleagues have taken these jobs. In regards to reading the art of war I was three months on the job and only filed away emails and was left alone in the office so I couldn’t ask anyone if there is anything else for me to do. As I said most sites are blocked so I couldn’t look for training online and we don’t keep documents in our office in case they get taken- it was either that or I look at a wall for for a couple of hours :/ . Iv honestly tried looking for training reading online etc but when there is no guidance there was only so much I could do. And in regards to what I would say in my next interview I didn’t have to say anything because my new employer didn’t ask.

OP posts:
inappropriateraspberry · 05/12/2020 10:43

Well, you either stick it out until you can go on site visits and learn more, or you look for another job.
Do they notice that you not doing anything? Could you use the time for personal admin, reading etc?

Sunflowergirl1 · 05/12/2020 17:30

Up until you saying what you did, I was going to say this sounds like working for a local authority.

Incredible that a private sector organisation is spending money on a role that has no work. That's usually the preserve of local councils.

You need to compose a full email to your boss and second line manager. Do you have any suggestions to resolve it?

2020parrot · 06/12/2020 10:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EBearhug · 09/12/2020 00:53

In my world (IT) it’s a bonus when training is provided ... maybe I’ve had four or five weeks of training in my entire career paid for by employers and certainly never in difficult economic times.

You need a better employer. This is not the case for all employees in IT. My IT training has all been paid for by employers, and there's been a fair bit of it over the years.

---

There's a fair bit of general technical security training online. Can you look at home for suitable courses and then request if the site can have access granted at work? This would mean you could at least gain a better background, even if it doesn't train you on the specifics of the job.

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