Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Flip

Original poster

Bored at work

14 replies

Sendingmetosleep · 19/04/2023 17:00

I "work" full time but most weeks my work could fit into one day. I'm in the office and where I'm sitting my screen is visible to most so I can't just do a course or browse online, which I did in a workplace where this happened before plus this business is far more IT savvy so I worry IT would know what I'm doing.

I am actively seeking new employment but until I get something how can I fill my time given I'm quite restricted? I'm also cautious of being seen scrolling on my phone but it's soul destroying especially when it seems others in my dept have enough work (although they do d
And before anyone says...I've asked for more work but nothing ever comes through!

OP posts:

timoteigirl · 19/04/2023 17:20

Could you do a work related online or MOOC training course? Anything to improve your IT skills further?

swanling · 19/04/2023 17:25

What does your line manager expect you to be doing to fill the time? Do they understand you have literally nothing to do for 80% of your week?

Quveas · 19/04/2023 18:25

Wow. Which employer had no work to give to staff? Seriously. I'd notice if someone was working so little, so what is going on with your manager that they don't notice?

RaininSummer · 19/04/2023 18:54

Really odd that employers let this happen. There was a whole thread on it recently.

SilverGlitterBaubles · 19/04/2023 19:55

I would raise it again, ask if there is some training or shadowing that you can do. I am amazed employers are happy to pay staff to sit there doing nothing.

Original poster

Sendingmetosleep · 19/04/2023 20:13

To be honest I don't know how they don't know. The two people before me were part time and they wanted a full time person this time round.I can't think why unless the part timers were taking their time to the point of being ridiculously slow. There is quite a lot of talking etc in the dept so I suspect there's no much being done overall. I can't think what else they actually could give me. My appraisal is coming up so all I can do is try to mention it again that I could take on more work!
If I was allowed to go and help another team, I would, I'd kill to have a busy day /week!

OP posts:

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 19/04/2023 20:17

Honestly if you've got evidence of you proactively asking for work, on several occasions I would crack on with an online course.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 19/04/2023 20:19

Missed the upcoming appraisal. Why not research relevant courses beforehand and ask for them there?

MargotEdithAgnes · 19/04/2023 20:19

I can totally believe this and have had similar! Corporate admin can be like this - feels as if you're just there as window dressing.

I left that world and work in schools now. I'm so busy. It's great! Never bored. Days go really fast. I love it

Original poster

Sendingmetosleep · 19/04/2023 20:31

@MargotEdithAgnes how did you get into that? Did you move to schools admin or something different, only thing I'd be qualified for really would be an administrator or at a push secretary!

OP posts:

Paridae · 20/04/2023 14:40

Omg, I've been in this same position in my last job. It's a burnout on a different level.. I doubt IT monitors you (as long as you're not bringing in viruses or shady websites, I believe they don't care much)

EnglishGirlApproximately · 20/04/2023 14:49

I'm with you OP. I changed jobs at the beginning of this year as my last job was too quiet and this is just as bad. So mind numbingly boring. Our whole team is home based which I guess is a bit less painful than being bored in an office but it makes it really hard to get motivated. Our manager is on holiday this week and hardly anyone is green on teams so I think there is a lot if time filling going on across the business. Don't really want to move jobs again so soon but I'll go stir crazy if this continues

GMH1974 · 20/04/2023 22:18

I've had this in pretty much every job I've ever done. It makes me think I should probably be aiming higher as I've worked in many different fields.

MargotEdithAgnes · 21/04/2023 07:24

@Sendingmetosleep after I had my youngest DC I didn't go back to ft work and just did part time work in evenings and weekends. I then applied for a midday supervisor role in a school and got it, then started helping in their office. I've done all sorts of office work, Reception, reprographics, finance admin, general admin and I've also helped out in classrooms as a TA in primary school and LSA in secondary. I'm doing mainly admin ATM and work 8-4, term time only. Salary isn't amazing but it is about the same as a basic admin job (circa £20k p/a).

I've also applied for a promotion which is a little more money. I have little DCs so this salary is quite good for us when you take into account the holidays and not having to use holiday clubs.

Flip