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Original poster

Nothing to do in my new job

43 replies

WhatthehellamIdoing · 17/03/2025 11:33

I started a new job 3 weeks ago. I have done a couple of training courses but I have absolutely nothing to do! I am sitting here twiddling my thumbs. This is having a massive impact on my mental health and I can't stop crying and my anxiety has hit the roof. I left my previous job of 14 years because of a toxic work atmosphere but I would go back in an instant rather than just sitting here. I honestly don't know what to do. I feel I have made a huge mistake. Any wise words?

OP posts:
MrsSkylerWhite · 17/03/2025 11:34

That’s a pretty extreme reaction.

Can you just talk to your manager/HR?

BrentfordForever · 17/03/2025 11:36

Oh dear ! Who have you raised with ?

do keep in mind though that sometimes new jobs are like this ; I have staff that take it veeeeery easy and this is totally acceptable where I am

perhaps you’re used to different ways of working hence you’re getting a shock. Is everyone in your team very busy ?

you could raise with immediate manager but in positive/proactive way : “ I can help with this … “, “how about we do that” etc

martinisforeveryone · 17/03/2025 11:48

What kind of role is it and what did you anticipate you'd be doing?

Are there other people around you all day, or are you isolated?

BrieAndChilli · 17/03/2025 11:50

what is your job role/level and industry? That will inform the answers and advice we can give you.

Original poster
WhatthehellamIdoing · 17/03/2025 11:54

School admin/finance role. Thought I would be rushed off my feet. My previous post was full on and I need to be busy for my own mental health otherwise i start fretting. Have spoken to manager and just the usual "its just the settling in period".

OP posts:
Original poster
WhatthehellamIdoing · 17/03/2025 11:55

Its a very small school.

OP posts:
MrsSkylerWhite · 17/03/2025 12:14

Are you happy with the systems you inherited, OP? I’d be tempted to create tasks such as reorganising files, etc. to my personal preference.

martinisforeveryone · 17/03/2025 12:30

Who's your manager, what kind of position do they hold, is it a bursar?

You could ask for some tasks tailored to put your training to the test, or if they're not forthcoming with that, as the pp said, look at the filing system, any archiving or improvements you could suggest, or simply acquaint yourself with the current school year's workload and processes.

I imagine the workload will ebb and flow and there'll be both busy and fallow periods.

TherealmrsT · 17/03/2025 13:38

I had similar in last two jobs but it got better. I created some work for myself - reviewing previous years financial workings, meeting people, and then manager created some tasks that were not necessary really but got me looking at things.
After about 3 months people started coming to me with questions/work/ projects and after 6 months I was as busy as I had expected to be and integrated into everything going on.
Good luck

Original poster
WhatthehellamIdoing · 17/03/2025 14:28

@TherealmrsT thank you. I have been trying to look at various software/procedures and things that my predecessor did but I just feel like a spare part. I took the job because I thought it would be so busy. I know its the beginning of week 4 but its just strange. My sensible side says give it a bit longer but my heart says run.

OP posts:
LucyCY · 01/04/2025 19:27

I feel your pain! I started a new job last month and although the staff are lovely, I literally spend 8 hours a day desperate for something to do. Every day I ask various staff if there is anything I can help them with and I have also asked if there is anything management/HR can give me to do but nothing has changed. I have also completed lots of online training etc to keep myself busy. I was told in my interview that it was a busy, varied role and it's the exact opposite! I left another (busy!) job thinking this was the better option but it's soul destroying. I'm looking for another job but can't help feeling really disappointed.

maximalistmaximus · 01/04/2025 19:28

I had a job like this so I did an OU course in my spare time at work!

CurlyhairedAssassin · 01/04/2025 19:40

I was really shocked when you said you were in school admin/finance.. Really shocked. I've never heard of a school office being a quiet place to work. It's usually the opposite. Are you sure you understand the tasks you are supposed to be working on? Is it secondary or primary? Although I've worked in both and both usually have ridiculous workloads.

Trallia · 01/04/2025 19:45

I work in a specialised technical field and tell staff starting that I consider it a bonus if they do anything useful in the first 3 months.

I do think this can apply to other jobs though. If no-one is actively managing funding you "getting going" / "onboarding" tasks, then it takes that time to settle. Busy colleagues don't always have time to manage well and find ways to delegate out the work.

Hang in there for 2 more months, and enjoy the chilled time to get to know people, chat, drink tea and read everything you can get your hands on. If you're not busier 3 months in, that's the time to start job hunting again.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 01/04/2025 19:46

It's also financial year end, one of the busiest times of the year. What about planning for next year? Budget setting, who is doing that? Is your role senior or junior?

I'm sure it must just be that you're not yet aware of everything that needs doing? Have you compared what you've been doing with what's on your job description?

LucyCY · 01/04/2025 19:46

maximalistmaximus · 01/04/2025 19:28

I had a job like this so I did an OU course in my spare time at work!

Great idea, I'm going to have a look tomorrow!

Springhassprungxx · 01/04/2025 19:58

CurlyhairedAssassin · 01/04/2025 19:40

I was really shocked when you said you were in school admin/finance.. Really shocked. I've never heard of a school office being a quiet place to work. It's usually the opposite. Are you sure you understand the tasks you are supposed to be working on? Is it secondary or primary? Although I've worked in both and both usually have ridiculous workloads.

Same here - my days absolutely fly by because l am constantly interrupted by kids/headteacher/staff

Original poster
WhatthehellamIdoing · 08/05/2025 12:09

Update: I still have absolutely nothing to do most of the time. I've tried all the steps suggested but nothing. I am going to have to speak to manager or just move on? The people are lovely but I'm not doing anything!

OP posts:
Allaboardtheraveytrain · 08/05/2025 12:24

They won't be paying someone a salary for no reason. It will be a combination of settling in period (some teams take a few months to gradually give authority of work over to new staff) and being a 'non-busy period'.

If you're working in school admin then this is definitely the quiet period so try to enjoy it. September-January will feel a bit like chaos.

Original poster
WhatthehellamIdoing · 08/05/2025 12:30

@Allaboardtheraveytrain I really hope so because I feel like I have made a huge mistake!

OP posts:
Allaboardtheraveytrain · 08/05/2025 13:57

@WhatthehellamIdoing honestly I'm only saying that because I've been there twice in two years and both times I felt just like you, the total regret! The first one I actually requested more work, which they gave me but then my own, regular work started to kick in as well...so whatever you do don't complain that you're underworked yet! 😁

LucyCY · 08/05/2025 17:37

WhatthehellamIdoing · 08/05/2025 12:09

Update: I still have absolutely nothing to do most of the time. I've tried all the steps suggested but nothing. I am going to have to speak to manager or just move on? The people are lovely but I'm not doing anything!

I absolutely feel your pain. I've volunteered, offered, asked etc but I still spend 8 hours a day doing not very much or nothing at all. Reluctantly I'm going to have to start looking for a new job 😐

Picklepower · 08/05/2025 17:41

Oh god I've had jobs like this, it's awful. I have also worked in a school office and it wasn't that exciting but I did get kids coming in all the time for ice packs etc or feeling ill. Then I uploading morning and Pm registers on the system. Parents always came in about stuff at drop off and pick up too. Then July was crazy getting ready for new reception kids and September was pretty chaotic too. Do you do any of this stuff?

Someone2025 · 08/05/2025 18:06

WhatthehellamIdoing · 17/03/2025 11:33

I started a new job 3 weeks ago. I have done a couple of training courses but I have absolutely nothing to do! I am sitting here twiddling my thumbs. This is having a massive impact on my mental health and I can't stop crying and my anxiety has hit the roof. I left my previous job of 14 years because of a toxic work atmosphere but I would go back in an instant rather than just sitting here. I honestly don't know what to do. I feel I have made a huge mistake. Any wise words?

Have you worked in this role for a school before?

Original poster
WhatthehellamIdoing · 09/05/2025 08:47

@Someone2025 I have worked in a school before but not one as tiny as this. Without being too outing its absolutely tiny and hence my problem! The attendance and dinners take me half hour! The job description looked huge but sadly I don't need to do any of it because its such a small school! I think I should have realised when I agreed to take the job. My problem really is what to do next! I need to be busy and this just isn't!

OP posts: