Strange problem at work....

missgiggles2008

Evening all,
I have a strange problem at work, and just wondered if anyone can relate to this and if so what did/do they do about it.
I have a really well paid job for the area I am living in, but the problem is I go into work and have nothing to do! I have emails/problems to sort out now and again! I am going mad and its starting to have an adverse affect on me. I am in a team of 4 with me being the only lady, and 3 men, who are all higher up than me. My manager isn't very good at communicating or handing work down. It feels awkward talking to my manager and he is aware I have no work or very little. If I go above him I will get myself a bad name.It is difficult because I cannot afford to change jobs or leave but I really want to be so much more busier!
Anybody relate to this? I try and write lists at the start of the day of things i can do but i soon do everything! It is really getting me down, I am meant to be on a training programme and they keep delaying it...that is the only thing that's keeping me going.

any input would be much appreciated.

Thank you

Material_Girl_2

That is difficult. Could you maybe ask throughout the day if there is anything you can do to assist your colleagues with? If that doesn't work than you will have to mention it to your manager. Just tell him (it's a positive thing after all you are being proactive asking for more work!).

If he can't or won't give you anything else clear it with him if he is ok for you to take on some work from another department if that is possible? If he's happy with that, and I dont' see why he wouldn't as your company should utilize your availabilty and skills,then ask your HR dept. if they can sort something out.

missgiggles2008

They make it really uncomfortable just talking, and I feel a little like the "young girl" of the team. I think it is the only option to talk to my Manager again but he just seems to have loads of work and doesn't seem to care about me or what I am doing. It is possible to get work from other teams, that is what i dont understand, other teams are so busy and ours really isnt. I know this may sound odd, but its started affecting my personal life and making me depressed. I know some people might think that is mad but I hate doing nothing, days drag!

BitterAndTwisted

Keep asking your colleagues and your boss for tasks over and over and over then you maybe can take over some their areas of responsibility as your own. I'd be bloody begging them for something, anything. In the current economic climate it beggars belief that everybody isn't working flat out eight hours a day. The last thing you want is for people higher up the management chain or in HR to know that you're underemployed

tabskitten

What line of work are you in?

That must be excruciatingly boring!!
The day must drag so!! Nothing like a busy day to make the time fly by!! I'd hate being bored in my job!

missgiggles2008

I know, I still can't belief I am in this situation. I got promoted last October and it has been like it ever since, although there has been recent changes that give me a glimmer of hope that things are set to change. meeting is scheduled for Tuesday on my return so we shall see. I really want to be able to shine in my job but I just don't get the chance.

ceebeeby

Have worn a similar t-shirt in the past. I coped by:

- writing my memoirs (!!!)
- doing an online course
- doing an evening course and doing homework during work hours (I know!!!)
- inventing work in the office (cleaning out cupboards etc. / rationalising tea-bags)
- applying for every new job that came up
- harrassing manager for more work
- learning how to juggle in the loo's! Okay, that one is made up, but the rest are true!

You're right, it's soul destroying - and only you can get yourself out of it by being proactive!!!

missgiggles2008

Funniest thing is...... I'm in Procurement!!! All about saving money! Crazy times peeps!

missgiggles2008

Ceebeeby you are totally right, it can only be up to me to change this situation. The trouble is, it is pretty much the only employer that pays so well in this area, so without moving to a different part of the country,which is not possible, I have no choice but to stay put. I am on a structured career path where I work and meant to be in a training role so still too early to apply for the next band up. I get day release for college and do college work in work - but the modules arent all the time. Thank you for your ideas, really interesting! How/why did you leave? did you get so fed up you got a different job?

pandora205

I once had a job like this and it was awful, as time really dragged, and I wasn't allowed to read or do anything non-work related. (I was a secretary in a car sales department that sold very few cars!) One of my jobs was placing and checking the company's advert in the local paper, so I took the opportunity to check it very thoroughly every week, i.e. read the rest of the paper too. It was during one of these times that I spotted a teacher training course that was perfectly suited to me. I applied and have never looked back........

In your position, I'd suggest enquiring about on-line training of some sort that can be fitted in with the rest of the job. As long as that is at least partly related to the post, it should be justifable and also give you the opportunity to develop new skills.

Otherwise, I'd just look for another job. We spend too many hours working to have them drag slowly.

Savvy_Sue

I once spent an afternoon reading and re-punching the holes in a year's worth of accident reports involving bin lorries, just so the file looked tidier ... been there, done that, got out as soon as I could!