Learning a job online is impossible

[Greedybilly]

I started at new job 3 months ago ( have had Long Covid so only 3 days as knackered) was told it was part wfh and part office. The thing is people rarely go into the office so I rarely see anyone- they're all hard working/nice people but i just HATE wfh every day and really struggle to learn complicated things via teams/messenger. Am also hard of hearing which doesn't help.
Should I just quit snd say the job was miss sold.
I know I'd learn stuff 10x faster face to face but it's not an option. Is it an age thing,?
Any (kind) thoughts helpful. Thanks

I did this kind of thing for six months, which quite frankly was 5 and three quarter months too long.

Either quit or start looking for a new job immediately, whatever your finances dictate.

Then when you have a reference and a definite job, tell them that’s why you’re leaving. Or don’t. You might not care by then. All I cared about on the last day was getting home without crying, and I didn’t give a shit about anyone working there.

Honestly, don’t ‘try’ to ‘manage’ or anything else. Just make steps to leave.

@NoCommentingFromNowOn- ha yes I hear u- good advice. I'm looking for something else but a bit limited with long covid. Gutted thst this isn't working out though.

Have you spoken to your manager about it. Seems a bit drastic to just quit if you haven’t had a conversation.
What’s the expected learning path for you to get up to speed? Is there someone dedicated who you can job shadow? What’s your manager’s expectations about what support is there.

Definitely speak to your manager, what reasonable adjustments could they put in place to help with you being hard of hearing? Are there transcription tools available to you?

Have you got a feel for how long you might want face to face to get up to speed more quickly? What is the actual policy on flexible working? Can you manager make sure people work on site for a specified number of days during your training period?

@Shortpoet- the manager has been very hands off since day 1 - I think she thinks because I'm old and done the job before ( 5 yes ago) that I'm doing ok.
I'm really not though. To be fair she always says phone if u need anything but i guess I don't really know her so it's awkward.
Would have expected her to check in tbh.
I will talk to her - angry that she miss- sold the job too so need to think about how this can be resolved- i.e she can't drum up an office full of people.
Just so hard to learn online - maybe I'm just too old.

@TheSmallAssassin- apart from a loop system ( which i don't get on with) I don't know what else they can do. Don't seem particularly interested tbh.
Policy is very flexible to meet the needs if the service. I'd like to be in the office once a week to see prople/learn stuff long term as per the conversations before I started!
I've explained about long covid- need to rest/pace- do nothing on days off but noone cares.

Think I'm grasping why so many disabled people don't work - it's just so hard. :(

Well, she can drum up an office full of people if there's a policy on how much people are allowed to work from home. For example, the guidance at my work is 3 days a week, but we're flexible where we can be. If there is a policy, then people can be asked (told) to adhere to it.

If your policy is "to meet the needs of the service" part of that is making sure you can learn how to so the job!

If you are having to do things on Teams, can you make sure that people are on camera and use Copilot to transcribe so you can catch more of what people say? Does recording a session help so you can review later?

You're not wrong though, it is very much harder for disabled people - you have to be bolshy to get what you need and that doesn't make you popular.

@TheSmallAssassinyes - fair point! I do feel a bit neglected. The team are great and v hard working but just seem out of thr habit of going in but I guess the manager needs to prioritise me until im up to speed.

Yes, they do need to prioritise you! We have team charters where we agree how we are all going to work together, how often we come in, how we maximise time together, etc, and we would review those if someone new joined the team.

I agree OP, it’s really really difficult to learn a new job when WFH. I think raise it with them but take steps to look for a new job where you can be in the office with the team more or one with a more structured training program if at home. Be honest with them when you leave, no point lying.

This is a perfect example of why WFH is not sustainable long term for many people and many companies. It’s ok if you have been in your company and role for years, and are well established with many contacts, but being in an office with colleagues to learn from and exchange ideas with is vital for new staff members and company alike.

Yeah I have to agree. I've been in my current role for 5 years and now perm WFH due to a relocation. I'm a caseworker and have recently started learning a new route - akin to starting the job all over again!! .
Even with knowing a lot of colleagues, and therefore comfortable with shouting for help, I still find learning over teams difficult and wish I could be back in the office, albeit for a short period.
I can't imagine doing this as a new member of staff.
OP, is it possible to get a buddy you can pester the hell out of!!

@OneMintBearit's impossible. I think people forget how much they know when they've been there a while

@LoveItaly- yes it's really bloody hard for us (old)newbies!

@TheSmallAssassinsounds like a good place to work.x

I wouldn't do the 'miss selling of the job' angle, that won't help and will just cause more stress.

Could you ask if there is a way to get a buddy or mentor, so a person you meet with in the office, preferably weekly but at worst fortnightly? Are you able to be flexible about what days you could go into the office to make that more likely?

@Ilikewinter'it's so tough am on the verge of quitting - I gave unofficially given myself a buddy but i feel like a pain quizzing her about stuff. It's been a very steep learning curve but could have been much less difficult face to face.

@OddBoots- fair point!
I message round every week to see who's in but people just ignore me/say they're wfh or pop in briefly then out on visits! It's been v difficult

its really hard I agree, I started a new job at start of lockdown and it was really difficult. I was not confident calling my boss on Teams for everything, it’s so much easier to just ask someone when you’re stuck when it’s in person. Sorry I don’t have any advice except maybe try to think of your boss as busy and a bit rubbish at checking in with you, bite the bullet and start asking her for support. hopefully she won’t mind.

This was my last job. Hybrid, but actually nobody went in and when they did they weren't very nice. It was awful. Having to ask these vile colleagues for help who positively lorded it over me. Nobody spoke on Teams either. The team were really unproductive too and weren't really at their desks a lot of the time. I lasted 9 months and in the end was crying at my desk and put on a stone. Its not you.

Sorry if I am suggesting things you have tried, have you asked your line manager to get support in having a named buddy?

As a person also with a physical disability WFH with remote teams worked really well for me. We shared screens and the accompanying SOPs were decent.

Wish I was still doing it tbh. Well, sometimes anyway. Going into the office has it's plus and minus points. Problem is that what works for some doesn't work for others.

It's difficult getting used to wfh. But I am in my late 60's and I have got used to learning things online. My job is changing all their systems and the training is all on teams. The hardest thing for me is missing the camaraderie. There are 10 in my team and I wouldn't recognise them if I fell over them.

It's always hard to learn a new job but I'm sure you'll get to grips with it if you persevere. I honestly don't think your age is relevant here.