Hi Guys,
I need some advice regarding my current job . After I went back to university to top up my degree I had planned to go back to the company I was in before or a similar big chip .
However, I was send an excellent job role by a friend ,‘interviewed and got the job which was a surprises as the advert wanted more experience than I had . I took the role as it was excellent for my career development, the project aligned with what I enjoy, the training package was excellent and it was in 1 hour commute of my home . On accepting the offer I enquired as to why I was selected over other candidates and was told I have more experience in the specific area than others with more industry years . Now here’s the thing i was employed by a research facility RF to consult for a company for the next 22months two senior management from the company were at the second interview to ensure the right person .
The first few 3 -4 months of the job was like a dream a true honeymoon period , they gave me a good bonus after month 2 for some saving I made . I do wonder if this was because the Company management was taking a lot of holiday time . The last 4-5 months have been really horrific. I am not valued by the company I consult to or listened to despite having more experience doing this than anyone in the company hence my hiring . I feel some of the Leadership team all related by the way like to sabotage the project . They also can’t follow simple instructions or do simple tasks they are meant to support on which means I work a lot more hours to pick up the slack . I discussed this at a meeting they said they expect the project not to interfere with normal day to day . It is clear that’s not possible with this type of project . They constantly cause delays and then it puts me under so much pressure .
They also don’t reply to my emails, one of the 4 senior managers will occasionally reply . I try to arrange meeting online or face to face if they agree to meet most don’t turn up. They also go running to my boss at the RF about me and the project, they are meant to go through me , but instead they ring her . Have meetings about the project with out me etc letting her pass on information about what they want . I know it’s putting my boss under so much pressure as she need the project to succeed too .
For the first 3 months I used to spent 2 days at the RF but then the rest at the company place . However, the company didn’t have the need facilities for the project but the RF does so for about 4 weeks I went to the company 3 times . I did try to involve the company management by inviting them over to see the work being done but that went badly one stared poking and prodding things which wasn’t safe . They was made aware that this would only be a temporary thing as the projected need it and I would back to 3 days with them on a set date . After 1 week of being back to 3 days with them they informed me if I wanted to work from the company I had to move desks to a back disused office the day after as someone else need my area more . I tried this but it was far to noisy as it was near the factory floor so I could do calls etc . After discussing with my boss at RF it was agreed by all I should work form RF but try to get one day at the company a week , which I do try to do when the project doesn’t have other needs. But they are now moaning they don’t see enough of me and the project isn’t moving quick enough because of me , I can’t work any more hours than I already do . They also said to a senior RF staff I am not involved in the company as they would like and non of the staff like me because I am bossy and make no attempt to ask or get to know them . Really they do work trips socials etc and don’t invite me ie not invited to Christmas meal etc. The staff also tell me they aren’t meant to chat as they get told it’s money wasted so don’t engage with me unless it’s about the project . Both me and Boss know the delays are because of them holding stuff up . They also rang my boss saying I was to closed off about what I do with my time (mainly because I don’t want to waste time explaining every step of each process I have worked on each day ) so I just say I focused on this area today but not specifically. So now each week I have to write an email re capping all the activities I have done and what I am doing for the next week . This email takes hours to write but they don’t even open it anyways . They keep telling me X shouldn’t take this much time In reality it does because they have no experience doing it where I have done it before I went back to uni they know this. I refuse to cut down time on the Gantt chart because if it take longer which it will then it’s looks bad on me . They don’t like me to WFH but my contract says I can . If I do they will make some activity up to get me to go to site and then not need me . It’s draining as I can’t get anything done ie wait for parcels at home , make any doctors appointments for after work etc .
I do love the staff at the RF but I feel so isolated sometimes as I don’t really have a team except my boss but it’s okay as everyone’s friendly . The trainings really good and should be included in my contracted hours but the company don’t like it so I do it on the weekend . The facilities are state of the art and I am learning so much from the other people who have so much more experience than me .
I am a hard worker my boss says she thinks I work to hard ie on evenings and weekends but I am so exhausted as the stress and all the drama is draining me . The company don’t grasp how much work happens to get one step done they expect me to just walk into a lab throw it all together and done . When really so much research is done, calculations and predictions with a ton of versions . I am stressed and anxious always now . I don’t have a social life, struggle to do any exercise as I am exhausted always or always getting sick . I am just holding on to one hobby but that’s a battle .
I have about 13.5 months left my inclination is to look for a different position but if I quite this job my future prospects aren’t going to be as good , I also don’t like to give up and the project is amazing it’s the company I struggle with. Also the training from the RF is amazing and really will mean I could get an additional 5-10k salary at the end of this contract , so it’s a massive acceleration to my career. My family are torn some think I should stick the ones who can see the effects think I should go . My friend in the industry some have been in it much longer than me think it’s a great opportunity and agree it will affect my future progression .
Does anyone think it will get better ? To do I only work my hours log off and ignore them complaining about not having x done etc . I do wonder if I just need to adjust as the pervious company I was at we was very well looked after ie flexible working, lots of company paid for social/team building, nice office with perks snacks, gym, drinks machines, fruit etc . Lots of resources to use with a fabulous moral and culture. You worked hard it’s was reward and recognised, if you needed support you got it etc . If it was just the RF it would be good but the company is draining me . What can I do as I don’t want to quit as I don’t like to give up but not sure if I can do this any more