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Original poster

Feeling guilty about easy job

22 replies

RachelGreensHair · 07/09/2023 08:28

Started a new role a few months ago. It pays a stupidly high salary. I have years of experience and have worked in senior roles, I was headhunted for this role. Truth be told, it is a very easy role and not too demanding in regards to tasking or time. There's risk associated with it so I can't get things wrong, but it's not life and death risk. The organisation has no performance management frameworks and as long as you're not being a d*ck all is fine.
Thing is...I've had this happen before. Then i tried to be proactive and took on new projects, looked at improvement initiatives, volunteered to get involved in stuff outside my remit, undertook L&D. Now I think back I must have been annoying to work with cos of my enthusiasm to do more. I need some coping mechanisms on how not to feel guilty, to go with the flow, to carry on getting the good feedback I have and remember that I don't have to over exert myself for work. Hope that all makes sense! Any tips? :)

OP posts:

Batatahara · 07/09/2023 08:31

I am currently doing a job like this - paid very well, get good performance reviews but I am only really working at half my capacity.

I am applying for jobs... as although it was nice for a while to have a bit of a rest, I have realised that I find it a bit soul destroying.

My main coping mechanism has been working from home a couple of days a week and doing bits and pieces in between work like decluttering my house. On office days, I put in at least one networking type chat a day

MidgesGirdle · 07/09/2023 08:31

Sounds like the perfect time to pick up a new hobby!

Fishandchipsatthebeach · 07/09/2023 08:34

Read the recent thread on here called AIBU to ask if anyone else is half-arsing their job ? (Or something like that )

CupOfCoffeePlease · 07/09/2023 08:35

Oh I would so love a job like this!

I have a suspicion a couple of senior staff in my organisation do very little..

Original poster

RachelGreensHair · 07/09/2023 08:37

I know, I did a workout yesterday, was thinking of going for a lunch time walk today:/ it's fighting against every natural instinct I have to work hard.

@Batatahara I've started looking for new roles but honestly nothing compares in regards to pay, location, flexible working etc. I feel like I'm going to be "found out" but even yesterday I told Line Manager I had capacity to take on more work but not sure he is giving me more cos he said I have lots to do already. Think his definition of "lots" I'd very different to mine but don't know if I am biased cos I have also worked for organisations who have pushed staff to the brink with too much and actually my new place is "the normal"?

OP posts:

Batatahara · 07/09/2023 08:39

RachelGreensHair · 07/09/2023 08:37

I know, I did a workout yesterday, was thinking of going for a lunch time walk today:/ it's fighting against every natural instinct I have to work hard.

I have been telling my boss that I have capacity too...

I feel like I could be more proactive and make work for myself but it is hard to summon up the energy

CountryStore · 07/09/2023 08:40

Sounds like the ideal job, really
Use your free time for self development, meditating, yoga etc?
I wish i could get a job like this 🤔

CharlotteStreetW1 · 07/09/2023 08:40

As someone in a similar position after 40 years of working my arse off, I'd say enjoy it!

dudsville · 07/09/2023 08:41

I have a colleague in this situation. His role is quite narrow and he's bored. I'm not sure i would like it, but I've always had a much more varied and challenging role so to me it seems like the perfect opportunity to invest the left over energy into something else in my non working time. I really value my non working time so this would seem to me to be a real bonus, but when he and i spoke about it it doesn't seem to be an answer to him. He's over a decade younger than me and will be working for longer than me so i think his relationship to work is sidereal to mine for this reason too. So, long story short, i get that you might need a more stimulating role and maybe need to start job hunting again!

DelurkingAJ · 07/09/2023 08:42

I genuinely think that different people have wildly different levels of ability in terms of doing things efficiently. I have had feedback such as ‘you work like a Trojan’ and ‘I don’t understand how you’re doing this much’ and I am baffled because yes I work but I have days when I feel I’m being very lax and worry enormously that I’m not doing enough. Seven years in and I’ve had to accept that what I do is enough and enjoy being able to log off on time (professional role where this is not the norm) and get well paid.

WellHereIgoagain · 11/09/2023 10:16

My current role which I started a month ago is quite frankly an embarrassment, I feel like I'm on school mandated work experience!
Needless to say I'm spending my days applying for new jobs. They have the cheek to tell me it's quiet... despite saying in interview it's busy.

Shavaa93 · 11/09/2023 10:39

Can I ask what on earth you are all doing for work? (In theist polite way!)

im late 20s and have spent the past 6 years raising kids. I’m desperately trying to get back into the work field but I have absolutely NO clue what to do!

I want a job that I can progress in. A career. But I have ZERO idea where to start. I don’t want to end up in retail or doing a small admin job (which I’m currently doing).

advice welcome :)

WellHereIgoagain · 11/09/2023 13:19

@Shavaa93 basically nothing in my case. Lol as much as I hate the poor work life balance with retail I was always busy (and getting lots of steps in!!) I would say think carefully about what you enjoy and don't enjoy as well as what type of environment you'd like to be in. Prospects is a great website for ideas

Twitchylegs · 11/09/2023 13:33

I am 2 weeks into a job that pays well, is extremely part time and the role so far seems like its either way too easy OR I'm so out of my depth I've only scratched the surface (and I'm completely unaware!)

It's so easy it's suss 😂

I too feel so guilty about it all. I feel like here I am having a breeze and other people I know are paid less and stressed for it all.

Is it weird to ask my new manager if I'm doing okay? People seem quite happy with me so far!

Previous job involved bullying and lead to catastrophic burnout. So I may have lost sight of what "normal" is!

WellHereIgoagain · 11/09/2023 13:37

@Twitchylegs this is me but a good few more weeks into it. No one else in my case seems stressed. I'm the most stressed as can't cope with the lack of things to be doing.

Babysharkdoodoodood · 11/09/2023 13:44

I love this. My job now is so calm and I get all my jobs done, we'll about now.

I'm in the office Mon -Thurs and at home on Friday (when I catch up on naps)

I've taken on a few things like World Menopause Day to organise.

I basically manage diaries, take minutes and actions a couple of time a week and check inboxes. That's it.

Having worked in stressful environments before, I am enjoying this.

jkkdiehab · 11/09/2023 13:54

I'm in the same position. It's demoralising, I'm bored not being challenged. I don't want a patchy CV so I am sticking it out for now but worried about the impact to my CV by not having very good recent examples for future job applications.

booksandbrews · 11/09/2023 14:07

My job is like this (have also had crazy busy roles before so seems even easier in comparison). I work from home most of the time, and have a lot of hobbies/interests. If I had to work in the office more, not having enough to do would drive me mad.

Pogpog21 · 11/09/2023 14:12

where can I find a job like this?! I’m 10 years PQE lawyer working in house at a bank. What do I need to do to get this as my next role and who do you use to get them? Are you recommended or using recruiters (Asking seriously)

Jellycatspyjamas · 11/09/2023 16:49

My job is a bit like this, which does make a change from previously very busy, long hours roles but having enjoyed it for a while I’m bored so I’m looking for something a bit more challenging.

throwa · 11/09/2023 16:56

Yes. This. I do a lot of other (personal) stuff to keep my mind busy. I make sure I take my lunch breaks to exercise, garden etc (and then grab a sandwich in front of the laptop) as I'm mostly fully wfh. The way I look at it is that they are paying my 25 years of experience in getting to this point in my career; if a drama does happen I am paid to fix it as quickly as possible with the minimum amount of fuss, which I can do because of said 25 years. But in no way shape or form am I working at capacity or to my full potential.

I will eventually get too bored even for this, but it will be a challenge to come up with something for the same money (which is very very good for public sector) which allows the same flexibility and which works for the whole family in the same way.

WellHereIgoagain · 11/09/2023 17:48

@jkkdiehab this was my fear, but a recruiter has recently told me there's loads of people like this and most people have done it once or twice. I have previously worked in recruitment and can testify this, depending on the business it won't matter, as long as it isn't every single job and you have a reason too. Personally if it was one job and the rest were more than 1/2 years service i would be looking at the employer rather than employee. Remember some businesses will have a reputation and it'll be known for short periods of service... there's a few local call centres and businesses near me in which no one ever stays. Remember life is for living and for you to be happy too. You don't owe them anything!

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