Is resigning my only option?

[5iveFootNothing]

I'm currently 4 months into a 12 month secondment and I'm really unhappy. My workload is really low and I hardly have any work to do on most days. I work hybrid, so I don't know how much longer I can go into the office and sit there all day without anything to do. I feel completely demotivated. I work in executive/leadership support and my current leader does not utilise me enough. They are well aware that they don't have much work to give me. I'm not going back to my home role as my leader was horrible to work for and it really affected my mental health. There are not many internal positions advertised and the majority of external jobs I see advertised are fixed term contracts, so I'll have to look for another job after 6-9 months anyway.

I feel like resigning is my only option but I'm stopping myself from doing it, as I don't think I can afford it and I have a family to provide for. I feel stuck and it's really getting me down. I don't know what to do.

What kind of organisation is it? Big corporate, public sector etc?

Don’t resign without a job to go to.

Utilise the time you have. Your hybrid, so at home working days I’d be applying for new jobs, days in the office I’d be seeking out any and all training that the organisation offers.

It's a big corporation but there are not many roles advertised internally at the moment. I've applied for a couple of internal roles, one of which would be another 12 month secondment.

I really don't want to resign without another job to go to, I just feel really stuck and unhappy. Completing training courses is a good idea.

use the time to think about where you do want to work in the company, and do some networking. Chat to people, let them know you are interested. It always helps when jobs come up later. If it’s anything like where I used to work, there will be loads of new jobs in April when the new financial year starts.

Just use your time to apply for other jobs. Save the work for office days and apply for other jobs whilst you're working from home if that's possible. Speak to the manager of the secondment role and find out why the workload seems so low.
Do they have internal online training you could do whilst you're working ? Is there something you could be doing to support someone else if the workload fluctuates ?

Were you moved due to the issues in previous role? It could impact how the new manager views you.

so possibly can you be proactive and think of things to do that would add value or offer to work on different initiatives?

I think you have various options.

• the most obvious would be just to proactively ask for more work

• Could you massively take the initiative on some work that is needed but hasn’t been asked for? Whether that is outlining a plan to your manager, or just doing it and showcasing it afterwards
• If there really is no work then save the work for office days and use the time at home to retrain
• or use the time at home to apply for other jobs (surely preferable to doing it after you have quit with nothing to go for)
• or failing all else, structure your days with something you want to do. If you have been absolutely transparent about the lack of work then plan your day to include a yoga class, a series you have been wanting to watch, decorating, books you wanted to read, a new hobby …

Is there anything you can do to help another EA out? Volunteer to do something organisation wise like arrange a charity event? Ask to shadow different people to learn more.

Use the time to apply for new job and update your skills

I agree with PP, this is a great opportunity to upskill.

Learn a new language or is there a formal qualification you are interested in?

Why would you resign, I could maybe understand if your sat in an office 5 days a week but your not?? Can you save your work for your office days and then use your WFH days to upskill etc as other have said?.

Use the time to polish your CV, upskill, do e-learning.

On your WFH days use it to the make the rest do your life as easy as possible, do your grocery shop, take a long walk or go to the gym at lunch. Tidy and organise your house. Usually I wouldn't advocate for this at all but it's better than being bored and staring a blank screen all day.

Ask for more work or there's a specific side project you could help with.

Don't resign until it's absolutely unbearable, it's not your fault there's not enough work.

Thank you for your replies. To answer some of your questions, I wasn't moved to my current role, I applied for it as a secondment. My previous leader was a nightmare to work for and my mental health took a dive, hence applying for my current role. I mentioned about resigning because I want to leave my current role as I am unhappy and I am not going back to my previous role at the end of my secondment.

The one thing I did not want to do was take on additional work from other people for the sake of having something to do. I like what I do, I just don't do enough of it. I was asked to be in the office on a specific day last week just in case one of the other assistants needed a hand (which I agreed to), so I went in and in the end I wasn't needed. So I was just sitting there doing nothing for the most part. I have asked my leader for more work but they do not have anything to give me. The mistake that has been made (imo) is that I am now working for a leader of a lower level to my previous leader, and I think this is why the lack of work is noticeable to me. I've been applying for new jobs but unfortunately there isn't much out there at the moment.

I'll take your advice and see what training I can complete.