Job is becoming "dead-end", no career progression - what next?

TwelveStopsThenHome

I have been in my current job for nearly two years.

Over the last six months, I have seen work tasks almost disappear, what is remaining become non-existent and some days I just turn up and sit twiddling my thumbs until 5.15.

The department in the local council I work for as had a overhaul in which there has been changes at the top and everything is all under one team etc..

My supervisor and line manager aren't exactly sympathetic. I've had a couple of silly run-ins, one of those was me being successful in a job application, but was told I was not to be released due to this poxy re-structure and the fact I didn't tell them I was applying for a new job. Two months after this, I was told if we are to apply to jobs we have to tell them and it's them who has the final say on whether to apply - is this against the law?

It also seems that those at a higher grade (3) are getting all the support and chances of promotion, whilst us as twos are stuck where we are and in a true dead-end job.

I'm off sick with a sprained ankle, due to return on Wednesday. I don't feel returning back to somewhere where I feel I am getting paid for a) just turning up and b) seeing myself being humiliated each day.

Unions don't wanna know, management doesn't' the top nobs don't wanna know - where do I turn?

hcb42

As far as them saying you can't apply for jobs, I agree, that's terrible, and not focused on their employees at all.

In terms of where do you turn. The answer is simple. You turn to yourself. What do you want to do, where do you want to work, what transferable skills do you have, what skills gaps are there, update your CV and set a plan and get after it. if you can at the same time take up some community volunteer work then this can be good on a CV as well.

JAYk_2

TwelveStopsThenHome wrote: »

I have been in my current job for nearly two years.

Over the last six months, I have seen work tasks almost disappear, what is remaining become non-existent and some days I just turn up and sit twiddling my thumbs until 5.15.

The department in the local council I work for as had a overhaul in which there has been changes at the top and everything is all under one team etc..

My supervisor and line manager aren't exactly sympathetic. I've had a couple of silly run-ins, one of those was me being successful in a job application, but was told I was not to be released due to this poxy re-structure and the fact I didn't tell them I was applying for a new job. Two months after this, I was told if we are to apply to jobs we have to tell them and it's them who has the final say on whether to apply - is this against the law?

It also seems that those at a higher grade (3) are getting all the support and chances of promotion, whilst us as twos are stuck where we are and in a true dead-end job.

I'm off sick with a sprained ankle, due to return on Wednesday. I don't feel returning back to somewhere where I feel I am getting paid for a) just turning up and b) seeing myself being humiliated each day.

Unions don't wanna know, management doesn't' the top nobs don't wanna know - where do I turn?

Self employment? Your own hours, your business, your decisions. Nowadays you can start with free business banking and pocket money and work your way upwards (if getting a loan would seem impossible). Or continue job hunting like everyone else waiting month or years? Sites like HMRC, BusinessLink, StartUps UK, Reed etc can give you an idea on a career path or business type/path idea. A plathora of choices out there, just do some research and where needed be creative about it . But don't leave it too late whatever you decide.

TwelveStopsThenHome

The thing is, I don't know what career path to go into. All I've ever worked in is Administration work. Ideally, I would like to be like an advisor for people in the community and open my own drop in centre. Seriously, I would set up something that would rival the councils, but I don't know where to start especially as this is an unstable time.

Claytone

Couple things: First, if you've got nothing to do at work and access to a computer, you can most certainly spend work time creating a business plan. Second, if you've never started your own business, you should find someone who is doing something like what you want to do and talk to them about it. It's best to spend some time doing some research, getting your ducks in a row, and then get feedback on your idea. Don't sit on it for too long.

Googlewhacker

claypearn wrote: »

Couple things: First, if you've got nothing to do at work and access to a computer, you can most certainly spend work time creating a business plan. Second, if you've never started your own business, you should find someone who is doing something like what you want to do and talk to them about it. It's best to spend some time doing some research, getting your ducks in a row, and then get feedback on your idea. Don't sit on it for too long.

Bad advice here, if they are looking to get rid of people then them finding that you have been using business time to create your own business plan is an ideal excuse to sack you.

I presume you have asked for more work?

Sambucus_Nigra

TwelveStopsThenHome wrote: »

My supervisor and line manager aren't exactly sympathetic. I've had a couple of silly run-ins, one of those was me being successful in a job application, but was told I was not to be released due to this poxy re-structure and the fact I didn't tell them I was applying for a new job. Two months after this, I was told if we are to apply to jobs we have to tell them and it's them who has the final say on whether to apply - is this against the law?

Was this an internal job? If not, why are you not at the new job?

TwelveStopsThenHome

The job I was successful in was internal, but "politics" led to me not going. Ask for asking for work, have tried - either there is little to do or it is out of our remit....we were all moved this new building with the promise of this and that, a big washout is the end result. The team is an admin team supporting social workers, they all agile as in work from home, so work is scarce.

I have even considered just handing my notice in and not returning, as that's how I feel. Us "2"'s I feel are being put on the scrapheap as it seems we're being forgotten about very quickly, and we're the victim of "rigged" yearly reviews which puts on the lowest grade. My other two colleagues who I work closely with are the same grade and feel the same way.

I think working for councils is the most corrupt thing to ever do.

hcb42

If you leave voluntarily with no job (which I wouldnt blame you for, as I dont like sticking in a job I hate) then be aware it will impact benefits etc, so you need to be confident you can get something else quickly.

Even if you want to get another administrative job, get the CV updated and online and get searching..

anamenottaken

Googlewhacker wrote: »

Bad advice here, if they are looking to get rid of people then them finding that you have been using business time to create your own business plan is an ideal excuse to sack you.

I presume you have asked for more work?

Whilst using the computer to produce a business plan would be misuse of the employer's IT equipment, using it to improve administrative skills would not be.

I'm thinking about gaining advanced Excel skills for instance or improving skills with other applications. Manual handling, equality & diversity, health and safety, client confidentiality/security matters can all be studied online without cost - in fact the training/HR department may have a catalogue of courses which can be accessed from work computers.

Googlewhacker

anamenottaken wrote: »

Whilst using the computer to produce a business plan would be misuse of the employer's IT equipment, using it to improve administrative skills would not be.

I'm thinking about gaining advanced Excel skills for instance or improving skills with other applications. Manual handling, equality & diversity, health and safety, client confidentiality/security matters can all be studied online without cost - in fact the training/HR department may have a catalogue of courses which can be accessed from work computers.

No quite, however personally if I were the OP I would be covering my back and making sure I had written permission to do this.