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Original poster

When you're not really needed but employer seems happy to keep you on is their anything you can do?

26 replies

Clarebear81 · 27/05/2023 07:20

I seem to have been taken on just as a "Backup" when things get tough, 90% of the time I don't seem to have anything to do, I am floated around others to help them but you can just sense the resentment from them, they've got just enough to keep them ticking over and here I am stealing their work, needless to say, they don't talk to me and as I say you just can sense the hate.

When a big project comes in that's where I come into play, its all go go go get it done ASAP then leaving me nothing to do, I actually like the work when I have it but 90% of the time I am trying to look busy when I am doing nothing and its a hell of a long day 8-5pm doing this and when your coworkers don't really want you there.

Short of leaving (looking for another job at the min) is there anything I could do to change this?

OP posts:
SchoolShenanigans · 27/05/2023 07:23

Are you paid well? If so, I'd just find a way to keep busy (lists for home? Life admin? Online training courses?).

If not, I'd move on too.

Out of interest, what sector is it that knowingly employs excess staff and is happy for the majority to have minimal workloads?

PoussinBoussin · 27/05/2023 07:23

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Badbudgeter · 27/05/2023 07:25

How often do the big projects come in? Honestly I’ve done a stop start job. I did “research” and signed up to do courses related to role. I was being paid to increase my employability. You can embrace it or or look for a new job.

lollipoprainbow · 27/05/2023 07:26

I'd hate this I need to be busy all day ! It must make the day so long too.

Azealeasinbloom · 27/05/2023 07:27

Not sure nature of your project work, but if at all in your line of work, can you suggest process mapping with a view to productivity improvements? Any niggling things that don’t get fixed? Systems security review? Something you can use your own initiative and pick up when you are not busy?

GiveupHQ · 27/05/2023 07:32

It sounds awful OP. Most of your life (because so much time in work) being “not needed” and a “floater”.

Use all your dead time to find a job that actually gives you purpose and knowing at the end of the day you’ve achieved something

GiveupHQ · 27/05/2023 07:33

they've got just enough to keep them ticking over and here I am stealing their work, needless to say, they don't talk to me and as I say you just can sense the hate.

have you considered amateur dramatics?

GiveupHQ · 27/05/2023 07:33

How long have you been there op?

EarringsandLipstick · 27/05/2023 07:34

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

No, it doesn't.

Most of us want to be stimulated & busy, doing a productive day's work. A day with no fulfilling tasks is draining & wearying in its own way.

EarringsandLipstick · 27/05/2023 07:36

OP, I'd speak directly to your line manager with examples. Ask for designated responsibilities that will allow you be productive.

And do keep looking for another role.

GiveupHQ · 27/05/2023 07:36

EarringsandLipstick · 27/05/2023 07:34

No, it doesn't.

Most of us want to be stimulated & busy, doing a productive day's work. A day with no fulfilling tasks is draining & wearying in its own way.

Show quote history

Exactly

I can’t comprehend reading the OP and thinking it “sounds brilliant”

sounds depressing and dire to me

Outoflucknow · 27/05/2023 07:42

Online training
Research
Pro actively searching for opportunities for the company
Network with other companies
Go on conferences
Find something that needs fixing/improving and suggest a new method

wheresmymojo · 27/05/2023 07:45

Azealeasinbloom · 27/05/2023 07:27

Not sure nature of your project work, but if at all in your line of work, can you suggest process mapping with a view to productivity improvements? Any niggling things that don’t get fixed? Systems security review? Something you can use your own initiative and pick up when you are not busy?

This is what I was going to say...

What doesn't work very well?
What causes people frustration?
What could be improved?

wheresmymojo · 27/05/2023 07:47

But otherwise I'd be doing online courses on FutureLearn, OpenUniversity, Coursera.

I'd tell the managers that I had capacity to take on more work and that my colleagues didn't need anything - did they have anything they'd like me to help with or take on as a small project?

Original poster
Clarebear81 · 27/05/2023 07:52

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Oh you’d think that, you need the personality type for that I don’t, my previous boss would say I was the do’er of the firm, I need to be constantly busy or it does my head in, think of someone who’s drank too much coffee that’s me normally.

OP posts:
Original poster
Clarebear81 · 27/05/2023 07:55

Badbudgeter · 27/05/2023 07:25

How often do the big projects come in? Honestly I’ve done a stop start job. I did “research” and signed up to do courses related to role. I was being paid to increase my employability. You can embrace it or or look for a new job.

Oh about once every 7-10 days, busy for about 2/3 days then nothing. I work with another girl, way too much for her to do on her own in the time frame required, but then when finished there is just enough to keep her ticking over. Odd sort of a set up really.

OP posts:
Original poster
Clarebear81 · 27/05/2023 07:56

lollipoprainbow · 27/05/2023 07:26

I'd hate this I need to be busy all day ! It must make the day so long too.

Exactly it does. Some people would absolutely love this, not me hate it, I need to be busy.

OP posts:
Original poster
Clarebear81 · 27/05/2023 08:06

wheresmymojo · 27/05/2023 07:45

This is what I was going to say...

What doesn't work very well?
What causes people frustration?
What could be improved?

Show quote history

I’d thought about this, but then thought I’d get the “Who the hell does this new girl think she is telling me how to run my business”. It’s clearly doesn’t work though. Or maybe they’re happy enough with this setup, there’s a clear issue with the workflow.

OP posts:
SaturdayGiraffe · 27/05/2023 08:08

Managing peaks and troughs is actually a skill. As pp say, I’d look at training in the quiet periods.

DahliaBlue · 27/05/2023 08:09

What sort of work is it?

Original poster
Clarebear81 · 27/05/2023 08:10

EarringsandLipstick · 27/05/2023 07:34

No, it doesn't.

Most of us want to be stimulated & busy, doing a productive day's work. A day with no fulfilling tasks is draining & wearying in its own way.

Show quote history

Yep it really is. Maybe a day or two okay and maybe if everyone else was kinda in the same boat but it’s just me really who runs out of work, the options are pretend to be doing something, I literally redone work yesterday just to do something, or say to my manager who will send me somewhere else and feel the resentment and be given the cold shoulder from my coworker

OP posts:
Original poster
Clarebear81 · 27/05/2023 08:11

DahliaBlue · 27/05/2023 08:09

What sort of work is it?

Just admin really, processing orders in a furniture company

OP posts:
GiveupHQ · 27/05/2023 08:32

Clarebear81 · 27/05/2023 08:11

Just admin really, processing orders in a furniture company

Show quote history

So even when there is work… dull as dish water?

BitOutOfPractice · 27/05/2023 08:35

I would spend my time doing training. There’s so many brilliant online courses.

DilemmaDelilah · 27/05/2023 08:38

That sometimes happens to me. In those situations I usually pick up additional jobs that don't get done very often, like reviewing/rewriting our business continuity plan (emergency plan), rewriting guidance for annual leave, how to use the photocopier etc, with flow charts, redesigning forms, doing a bit of research on things relevant to the team. All after discussion with my line manager so I can say I have been asked to do it. Maybe there is something you can do to look into the " feast or famine" nature of the work for the team... Is there anything that can be done in the quiet periods that would make the busy periods less frantic? It might be as simple as drawing up a work flow chart, designing some forms, printing out stuff in advance etc.