Worried I'm going to hate new job

[loveawineloveacrisp]

I'm two weeks into a new job which I worked really hard to get. 4 interviews, lots of waiting for decisions. For context, I was made redundant from my last job and was very happy to leave what was an extremely toxic environment.

New company is much smaller, less corporate. But I think they have grown very quickly and not adequately staffed up for their growth. Person I am replacing is still working her notice and seems to do the job of two people. There's lots of out of hours and weekend emails. Previous person is a bit of a control freak and has in the past taken on the work of others to 'make sure it gets done properly.'

I'm very much a work to live kind of person. On paper this job completely suits me but I'm worried about the level of expectation on me to do extra unpaid hours. £65k so decent salary but imo not enough to be doing stupid hours.

I want to enjoy it - it's my last job before I retire in a couple of years. But I'm not willing to burn myself out. Do I just start as I mean to go on and refuse to do the extra hours?

Sounds like the previous person has terrible boundaries and is taking on too much. You don’t need to do that!

Start as you mean to go on. If it’s a problem then just look for another job.

I’m starting to get concerned about starting my new job and my situation sounds similar to yours. I’ve not started yet but watching this thread. Going from a 80000 size company to 1000! Last place toxic as
anything. This new place is a US company (as have all of mine) but with less staff I’m sure I’ll be tested! My hope is i pass probation and if I don’t like it try to find something elsewhere! But have to give it a chance. Most places I’ve worked though it took a while to get into it but started enjoying it when I knew the lay of the land. Sounds like you need to start looking but as you know it’s tough out there just now!

@Reallneedingdivineinspiration yeah very tough and I'd rather not be going through the interview process again. Think I need to give it a chance.

Feeling complete overwhelm today. Previous person in role leaves today and I don't feel like I've got enough info from them. So much going on. Emails sent over weekend and early hours of this morning - it's mental. I need someone to talk me out of resigning.

You can't change what's been going on and always tricky to go into a role where there are expectations for additional work.

I would:
Log all your time. List tasks you're unable to complete at the end of the week.

You can then take this to your boss and highlight the last person was doing extensive work out of hours and ask them what they want to do about the other work.

Identify the key deliverables for the job and the key people and focus on those for now. Everything else can wait.

You’ve said the person leaving is working mental hours and they know the job inside out.

Out of interest, why are they leaving?

They're going to a competitor. Haven't really gone into detail as to why.

Keep an open mind. They could be doing a lot of unnecessary stuff. Until you fully get into the role, you won’t really know.

I know you’re doing a handover but are they leaving handover notes as well?

Is this person well thought of? I’d be a bit inclined to let some things slide if it’s too much to deal with. You can always use the pretence that you hadn’t been made aware. Naughty I know….