Work overwhelming again

[sunnyday2025]

I wrote a similar post about a year ago, 4 months into a new job.
To sum It was an entry level admin job with the Council; a role previously done by 3 people across different teams.
Poor training, a lack of proper processes and an overwhelming work load, combined with events at home saw me signed off for a month.
It was an absolute last resort.

I returned and things did calm down somewhat; a portion of my work was removed.

Things have steadily got worse again and I am teetering on the edge.
I feel very isolated in my role, everyone else works in teams where they are able to ask questions and have their work checked where needed.

The only person i can ask is a colleague who used to do my role but has moved on. It’s a horrible dynamic where he either ignores me or tries to micro manage me.
His manager is one of the 3 areas I support; she has given me zero guidance and has on occasion just come down on me like a ton of bricks. I sense she considers me useless. Twice where I have made an error she has just removed work from me without discussing and given it to said colleague so no wonder he is resentful of me. It has utterly shattered my confidence.

I don’t know what to do; I am trying my hardest but am feeling increasingly anxious again. It’s so stupid, this is an entry grade admin job; I have lots of experience in other organisations but it’s been over a year now and not getting any better.

The last thing I want to do is be signed off again which won’t solve anything but I see it quickly headed that way.

Have you started looking for other work? A year is a long time for things to not get any better and you deserve to be happy at work.

This sounds rubbish. Just because it's entry level you still need support and training. I've had to move jobs frequently lately and some orgs just seem to struggle with new starters. They're desperate for the extra resource, but don't seem to think further than that. To me you're in a situation that isn't going to improve and you need to leave. I know this is extremely difficult when you feel low, but it's the only solution. Im not sure I'd even go for an internal move. I think basic admin jobs have become harder as like you say, the work of a team is now normally done by one person. Anyway, remember its them not you.

Thank you. I got divorced last year and saw this job as much needed security. Certainly if I didn’t need that I would
be long gone but this job was my lifeline

Do you mean cos of council Ts and Cs, pension etc?

Yes 100%

I hear you, but schools, colleges, universities etc. have the same. Maybe look internally then too.

I do also have a small part time supermarket job which I clung onto Maybe I should just see if I can pick up more hours with that.

I’m hyper aware of my age (full disclosure I’m mid 50s ) and the reality of trying to get another decent job

Do you work remotely?

Hybrid

I think a big part of the problem is that whilst my line manager is a nice man he never checks in with me or reviews my work load. He is very hands off which has its advantages but not actually what I need

I would arrange a meeting with him and explain what's happening.

Sounds awful.

Could you speak to the recruitment team? I would imagine there are a few jobs at the council. A sideways move might be better even if it’s not admin which sounds like the pits.

I’m not very good at explaining myself. When I’ve tried to address the issue before I just ended up gabbing away and coming across as incompetent

You need to write a list of bullet points. Just start with something on a pad then add to it as and when. Its great having lovely managers but they are paid to.do a job and look after their staff and workload. Plus it's proactive to bring it up, rather than them be the ones to say it's not working.