Can I pull this back? Or do I just have to start a fresh?

[AmIonlydreaming]

I've been at my current workplace for just over 3 years. It's an extremely male dominated environment but I get on really well with my colleagues and the shift pattern suits me from a work-life balance perspective at this stage in my life. Unfortunately my attitude to work hasn't really been that great for a while now, partly due to mental health, but mainly because there is no ladder for me to climb and I am beyond bored in my current role (very repetitive, every day is the same type of job). I'm also the highest educated and lowest paid in my team (different roles and I'm 3rd party whilst their employees so that's not a gender issue) and they messed me about a bit for the first 18 months or so. All that combined basically led to me not being the most pro-active, 'go-getter' type of person. I did always do my job though, just nothing above and beyond, and often made off-the-cuff comments like "I can't be bothered", I'll get round to it at some point" kind of thing, which unfortunately has now given me a bit of a reputation for being lazy.

A couple of months back I decided to try turn things around, with the goal of making a sideways move into one of my team-mates roles (a few are retiring/moving on over the next few months). This has involved some course work and exams (at my own expense, about £1200 at this point) and I've been putting extra effort in to get my own work done efficiently to free up time to shadow my team mates. The role is also more in-line with my degree subject than my current role too. Despite my best efforts, no one is really taking me seriously or even really noticing the effort I'm putting in. When I've mentioned my goals to my superiors they've kind of nodded along but when I require action from them (e.g. signing off my competency paperwork) they drag their heels and I have to nag to get it done.

I know it's only been 2 months of pro-active vs a year+ of poor attitude and these things take time, but is it actually possible to turn things around or will my lazy reputation just stick forever at this workplace? Has anyone managed to turn their reputation around and climb the ladder? If so, how did you got about it?

TL;DR: Had a poor work attitude, trying to turn it around and progress but lazy reputation has stuck. Is it possible to turn it around, or do I have to move on and start a fresh?

Given that this is you saying it about yourself, I am going to accept that you are being reasonably fair in so far as your attitude to work has been "pedestrian" at best. So I'll be equally honest and say that if this is how your management / colleagues see you too, then you're probably stuck with it. As a manager myself I manage a wide range of people. Some are like you and turn up, do their job "good enough", but nothing more. I have nothing at all to complain about. They are doing what they are paid for, they aren't causing me any problems, and their colleagues have good relationships with them. But after three years of this, I'd require a lot more than two months of "stepping up" before I'd consider them over others for promotion / other roles. I'm not saying it couldn't possibly ever happen, but I think you have a lot to overcome, and two months won't cut it.

That said, is it possible to have a blunt conversation with your managers? If this were someone in my team, I would prefer to have that conversation and explore the situation openly on both sides. If I am "in the dark" and someone is simply trying to up their game I'd probably like to know why and what their aspirations are. There might well be a more positive approach is I believe we are working together to achieve a goal. On the other hand there might be someone who has worked harder and I have in mind for that role you are eying - in which case I might point out that there would be competition....

@Neriah Yeah I agree it will take more than a couple of months, and I'm fully committed to this being the start of a long-term improvement in my work ethic. I haven't had a poor attitude for the whole of that period, more like the last year. To start with I was keen and pro-active because I was learning new things all the time but once that steep learning curve was over and there wasn't anything to strive for I just sat back and kept things ticking over.

There's nobody beneath our level to promote so it will be me or an unknown through recruitment. Of course whoever they recruit will likely have experience in the same role elsewhere, but then I have experience of the company's systems and procedures (which there is a HUGE emphasis on in this industry).

Guess I'll have to keep doing what I'm doing and see what happens when the roles become available. Worst case scenario I build some skills and experience that will be useful for applying to other roles.

Have you been honest with your line manager and said "I know I wasn't a great employee but I really want to turn things round - I'd really welcome your feedback". If somebody said this to me I would be impressed (and would probably notice their improvement more).

As PP said if you have a reputation for being lazy, it will take a lot longer than 2 months to reverse that view of you. Also, you say your managers are dragging your feet, but to be blunt, that is what you have been saying out loud "I'll get round to it at some point". Why would they rush when you have not been doing the same for them?

I'd carry on and try your best but also keep an eye open for roles outside.

I think I'd look for a similar role in another company tbh. Not because I think it's unsalvageable, but just because it would be more efficient to get a fresh start and then you don't need all the clawing back time. You'd start on a level playing field.

There's nothing wrong with your work so imagine you'd get a reference and could cite a bit of work history

You need to look at any changes as lifestyle - permanent - not just to achieve goal A.

I also think you have a lot to overcome, I was astonished you would say what you said (think it but fgs don't say it!).