I feel trapped in a job I hate

[neverwasandneverwillbe]

I work in admin 2 days a week, the hours fit great around our family and there are other perks to the job eg Christmas off each year, and the pay isn't bad for what is is (£14 per hour).

However I hate the job, it's the most bitchy atmosphere I've ever worked in and it's making me completely miserable.

If it wasn't for the fact that the pay is half decent, I would be ready to walk out today and get a job wherever I could instead - McDonald's/shop work etc.

Unfortunately we need me to earn around £1000 per month. So if I were to get something else I would need to work a lot more hours to earn this. My kids are both under 5 and I know I won't get this time back so I don't want to work more hours that I need to.

So here I am feeling completely trapped in a job I hate, where I come home wanting to cry and sending my anxiety through the roof. Definitely a first world problem I know, but it's making me miserable.

It sounds harsh, but if I were you I would try and rise above it. 2 days is not so bad, you have 5 to focus on your real life. I'd focus on building resilience and just keeping your head down and bum up and do the work and let it wash over you. I found when working with people who liked to snipe the best thing was just to relentlessly ignore it and just smile or deliberately misunderstand.

So keep going- don't take a min wage job that means you need to be away from your family more - look for other part time admin jobs. But try to be grateful that you only have to do this 2 days a week!

I think you should look for other admin jobs; get in touch with all the recruitment agencies that deal with this in your local area

Also look for those types of roles in local government, NHS, education (universities/colleges in your area, but just schools)

there are also specific websites for part time jobs - and look in the boards (indeed, total jobs, monster etc)

When you start looking it puts you in the drivers seat: either you find something that’s better for you or you realise that the hours are not easy to find which may help you tolerate the situation

Its not easy to look for a job (especially when you lack free time) but if you don’t take action nothing will change. You have time the other 3 school days so spend a couple of hours 2 of those days and find something else

Agree with @helpmedate

Also, look up ‘grey rock’ - just don’t engage and your bitchy colleagues won’t try to get you involved in their discussions

Can you listen to music while you work some of the time to block it out?

Anxiety over a =job you do for 2 days?

Are you involved with the toxicity? Or do you ignore? Can you elaborate on how it manifests itself on a daily basis?

I am in a part time admin job which I find very tedious but it is wfh and fits in with my Dc. I have been trying on and off to change for 7 years but still here. I just tell myself it is not meant to be and to stick it out. Your pay sounds great though I would certainly be inclined to stay on that basis. I am just above min wage.

It is difficult to stick at it though when you dont like it. Sending a hug

I can join you OP. My salary traps me in the job, though and what I really want to do pays so little there is no way I could justify it. We would literally have to move, downsize, no holidays, savings, pension pots, cars, nothing.

Can’t you look for a part time admin job elsewhere? I would’ve thought most salaries would be around the same?

Can you stick earphones in and tune them out?

Look for another job, whilst trying to ignore what's going on.

I was in same position a few years ago with a 3 day a week job. My colleague was being bullied by other women in the office and all the bitchiness and colleague crying everyday pretty much made me have a nervous breakdown after a year, and I wasn't even a victim of their bitchiness!

You can find a similar hours/pay role - look at universities and council.

I'm trapped in a job too. I don't hate it, the actual job I love, but shift work is slowly killing me.

But the salary has me stuck there ...

I would start looking for a new role.

If you have solid admin experience you might get a better paid job too.

Could you move into becoming a PA?

The current one sounds like a lot aggravation for a very low pay.

You could also try to get something which is fully remote so you don't have to put up with dodgy colleagues and office politics.

I agree with pp, start looking, NHS admin band 4 is £14 ph off the top of my head, usually coordinator type roles which can be quite nice.

It's gd money for admin. I'd stick with it until I cld find something or similar lay or better. U just need to find something else at similar pay and part time. It might take a while to find something but no harm in looking! In mean time just try not to get involved.

Thanks everyone appreciate outsider's perspectives.

I think I'm going to have to just suck it up but keep my eye on Indeed for other positions, particularly NHS/civil service positions.

Ultimately my aim is to go into social work, but I need to wait until my kids are a bit older so I'd be happy to go full time.