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Original poster

Work stress

35 replies

ilovebrie8 · 09/03/2022 19:19

Recently started a new job it’s remote working, the company has been remote working for a long time so they are used to not seeing people. It’s a temp role. I’m being micro managed and it’s getting on my nerves. An email came in today which I was intending to deal with and within 1 minute my boss was on teams asking me to deal with it...I said yeah sure I’m just literally reading it. Few hours later what are you doing...it’s getting annoying! Got an email at 8pm the other night which I didn’t see as that’s way beyond my normal hours...they booked a meeting at 8.30 which I missed as I don’t start until 9am. Who sends a meeting request late at night for 8.30 the next day. Feel stressed and fed up...worked flat out last few days no let up...I’m picking up stuff that is so far behind as lots of people had left and now it’s time critical...am feeling utterly deflated ...Confusedany advice?

OP posts:
ISayItLikeItIs · 10/03/2022 11:18

I would say talk to your boss about it and explain how you feel.. If nothing changes then I'd be looking for a new job. I also hate being micromanaged so I know how you feel.

Original poster
ilovebrie8 · 10/03/2022 11:36

I don't think I can raise it, started a few weeks ago and it's a short term contract role. Doubt it would be well received if I say anything...thanks for your reply...

OP posts:
ISayItLikeItIs · 10/03/2022 11:41

@ilovebrie8

I don't think I can raise it, started a few weeks ago and it's a short term contract role. Doubt it would be well received if I say anything...thanks for your reply...
Well if its just short term I guess its a matter of hunkering down until contract is over and then maybe look for something else after that.
ChoiceMummy · 10/03/2022 11:53

How long is the contract for?

I think that I'd bide my time tbh.

It sounds as though they've been firefighting and very much still in that mode.

Original poster
ilovebrie8 · 10/03/2022 12:04

the person who interviewed my I liked, however on my first day she told me she was leaving...and now I have found out so many have left...it is only a few months maybe 6 max...

OP posts:
Original poster
ilovebrie8 · 10/03/2022 12:05

you don't know what you are getting in to that's the thing...

OP posts:
Iggly · 10/03/2022 12:06

Is this local government by any chance 😬

Original poster
ilovebrie8 · 10/03/2022 12:08

I already had an awful experience and left a role after a few weeks so I feel deflated at the moment...my last place was horrible expected to be online until all hours...and no support. I start to wonder are there any good workplaces left...it never used to be like this...

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Original poster
ilovebrie8 · 10/03/2022 12:15

no it's not @Iggly

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labyrinthlaziness · 10/03/2022 18:09

If it is a short contract then I would just roll with it. I take comfort in being really, really polite whilst inside my head thinking 'fuck you'.

Focus your energy on the next job, don't let this place drag you down.

I agree good workplaces seem to be thin on the ground just now.

Fairyarmpits · 10/03/2022 19:14

You need to adopt a 'don't give a fuck' attitude in your head while looking like an eager beaver outwardly.

So, late invite to meeting before your start time? "Oh sorry, I've only just seen that. I don't look at emails after 5.30pm and start at 9pm. Would you like to rearrange?"

Boss on phone ten seconds after you've received email. "Ah yes, I've just opened that email. Will get it sorted now." Then just get on with it.

You just need to be matter of fact about it all. Lots of people have left. You're there on contract and doing the best you can under the circumstances. Don't sweat the small stuff.

It's the way of the world I'm afraid. Just keep looking for another job. Just because it's a contract doesn't mean that you have to stay until the end.

ISayItLikeItIs · 11/03/2022 09:26

@Fairyarmpits

You need to adopt a 'don't give a fuck' attitude in your head while looking like an eager beaver outwardly.

So, late invite to meeting before your start time? "Oh sorry, I've only just seen that. I don't look at emails after 5.30pm and start at 9pm. Would you like to rearrange?"

Boss on phone ten seconds after you've received email. "Ah yes, I've just opened that email. Will get it sorted now." Then just get on with it.

You just need to be matter of fact about it all. Lots of people have left. You're there on contract and doing the best you can under the circumstances. Don't sweat the small stuff.

It's the way of the world I'm afraid. Just keep looking for another job. Just because it's a contract doesn't mean that you have to stay until the end.

Agree with this...
Original poster
ilovebrie8 · 14/03/2022 19:24

Thanks @Fairyarmpits good advice!

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Original poster
ilovebrie8 · 14/03/2022 19:29

Just had another crappy day...more or less told do this or it will be a problem...it’s not something I can easily do and said so previously ..was kind of threatening do this or else...hey ho ! I’m being squeezed as they are so far behind I’m the person left holding the parcel so to speak ...it’s totally rubbish

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Headexplodinganyoneelse · 16/03/2022 19:30

No advice, but I feel your pain. My role has also turned into a telephony wfh role. I can't stand the micro management, it actually makes me less productive. I'm going for an informal interview tommorow. I'd start looking for another role if you can. Lifes too short to hate your job

Original poster
ilovebrie8 · 17/03/2022 20:51

@Headexplodinganyoneelse hope your interview went well. I know I hate being micro managed, I’m the same it makes me less productive....being constantly harangued

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Original poster
ilovebrie8 · 19/03/2022 19:17

Can anyone advise wtf this is all about please? I logged on today don’t normally wanted to check something quickly, I then see that my boss has sent me a message at 7pm I finish at 5.30...asking me if I’m very busy, what am I doing and that there are additional things I need to take on...what the heck! Any advice? It’s put a downer on my weekend Shock

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Original poster
ilovebrie8 · 19/03/2022 19:19

Who sends that on a Friday evening 😞

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Fairyarmpits · 19/03/2022 21:38

@ilovebrie8

Can anyone advise wtf this is all about please? I logged on today don’t normally wanted to check something quickly, I then see that my boss has sent me a message at 7pm I finish at 5.30...asking me if I’m very busy, what am I doing and that there are additional things I need to take on...what the heck! Any advice? It’s put a downer on my weekend Shock
The joy of email is that you can send an email at any time of the day or night. It's not like trying to get hold of someone on the phone. It also doesn't necessitate a reply.

If I were to send an email at 7pm on a Friday (which I generally wouldn't do!) I wouldn't expect a reply until Monday at the earliest.

I fear that you are overthinking it all somewhat. Just plough through the work as consistently as you can. This email can wait until Monday. Your boss is just asking the question about your workload. It doesn't mean that you need to respond to this within five minutes of receiving it.

Original poster
ilovebrie8 · 20/03/2022 08:35

Thanks @Fairyarmpits for replying I thought who sends stuff at that timeHmm ...he’s constantly asking me what am I doing...he knows very well what I am doing as he allocates work. Asking am I very busy what am I doing...I’m getting v cross ...last week was crap ! He obvious things he needs to pile more on me ...I’m a temp as they lost lots of perm staff I can see why !

OP posts:
Watapalava · 20/03/2022 08:40

The email is fine

Ima boss and send emails at all hours as and when I think of stuff

I don’t expect replies outside of office hours

Perhaps you’re too slow doing the work?

Original poster
ilovebrie8 · 20/03/2022 08:43

If I don’t reply straight away he’s on teams chasing me did you see that email...I didn’t reply to that message as it was later on Friday evening ...I’m in a professional role the things I’m doing are complex and not easy...it’s not like churning stuff out. He’s much younger too like 20 years if that has any bearing ...if not had a job where I’m under constant scrutiny and feel up against the clock..

OP posts:
Original poster
ilovebrie8 · 20/03/2022 08:47

I don’t think I’m slow at all...I’m doing stuff he can’t do/others have said “I know nothing”...if it was easy it would’ve been done by now...I’m picking it up blind so to speak...all those involved before have left including the person who was meant to be my boss who left 2 weeks ago. I’ve only been there a short time and vibes are not nice...if this is how they work ...haranguing people

OP posts:
stuntbubbles · 20/03/2022 08:50

Your boss sounds very scattershot. Your best bet is to not check emails from 5.30pm until 9am: you know he’s liable to send things at all hours, that’s his style. Yours is to stick to working hours.

And get ahead of him: send an action plan update each morning at 9am telling him the things you’ll be working on that day. Then only check emails in 3 blocks through the day, rather than constantly. Turn on DND on Teams and set your status to “working on XYZ projects”. Emails and Teams are noise that prevent work getting done, you’re getting stressed by your boss’s constant need for updates, so provide the updates up front – a 9am plan for the day, Teams statuses – then ignore all the noise and do the job.

And maybe have a little countdown calendar at home to help you survive knowing you’re not there forever!

TheDoveFromAboveCooCoo · 20/03/2022 08:52

I feel your pain. I'm logging on today to finish tasks that I didn't have time to do on Friday.

The difference is the micro-managing. That would piss me right off. I would suggest a daily morning email listing your tasks you expect to complete that day, head him off before he starts nosying.

When he asks what you are doing and if you are very busy refer him back to your email. I have contact with my manager (she is a director though so difficult to get some time with her) once a week so I can flag any issues or risks and that's it! A busy job is so much easier when you are just trusted to get on with it!

And yes keep looking for another job!

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