Which is better? Four days in well paid job I hate or seek something new?

an9i77

I have a dilemma. My job is well paid, to the extent that I can afford to drop a day and do four days a week. But I hate it! I am doing very menial work that I spent years building a career so that I wouldn't have to do. I wouldn't mind so much if this was balanced with higher level, more challenging stuff, but it isn't. My boss takes all the challenging stuff and treats me like an unqualified admin. I feel like I've regressed somewhat and the longer I stay here, the more my career will suffer.

If i look for another job, there's virtually no chance of being able to do four days a week. I will probably be on the same money, so that I'll be doing a five day week for similar pay to what I'm on now, or possibly slightly more.

But do I stay here, where it is comfortable and I am earning fairly good money (despite the fact I am doing very basic level work, I know it does not make sense) or leap into the unknown and try and find something else.

There aren't many suitable jobs out there at the moment but I'm getting so fed up here I don't know if I can stand it any more. But then again I do enjoy my one day a week off.

So which is better, four bad days or five slightly better days (hopefully) if the money is about the same?

leamingtonspaceman

There's only one way to find out.........!!!

Seriously though, take a risk..."Turn to face the strange."

scooby088

Have you asked the boss for more challenging work?

an9i77

scooby088 wrote: »

Have you asked the boss for more challenging work?

I've lost faith in my boss, I was hired on the basis that it was this all singing, all dancing wonder-job (hence the salary) and i've been lied to so many times that there doesn't seem any point trying to get through to him. I don't think he's deliberately misleading me, I think he just can't make the job any different to how it is as he has no idea how to manage us/the department. Also there's a certain amount of the boring stuff that just needs to be done, so it ends up on my plate by default. Unless we can get a more junior person in to do that, which he won't , then it'll never change.

milliemonster

I guess it depends on what you value the most and which is worth more to you, are you hankering after more time on your hands to pursue your own interests outside of work that you are happy for your career to take a back seat or is your career more important to you that you are happy to spend more time at work for?, only you know the answer to this.

t0rt0ise

What I would do is look at the jobs available and if I found one that I liked the look of then apply. You aren't committing yourself at this stage but leaving the door open. Later after the interview you can decide if you really want it. What I find is that when I apply on the off chance and look more into the job, I get more and more enthusiastic about it. If that doesn't happen then you'll know that it isn't the job for you.

ohreally

If the job is well paid, secure and 4 days per week, i'd be inclined to sit in it. Look elsewhere, out-with work, for challenge and fulfilment.

I do appreciate a job can suck the life from you but its only 4 days and its a means to an end, rather than a minimum wage gig where you're trapped.

**Juice**

I'd say keep an eye on the jobs market and apply for any jobs you genuinely like the look of, are the right sort of salary and you feel are in the sort of company you want to work for.

I had a "good job", with pretty decent hours, wage, benefits etc but I just found the work mundane and the role a bit uninspiring (mine was meant to be an all singing all dancing role too!) - the thought of another 45 years doing it or something similar made me cringe.

So I kept an eye out, applied for quite a few jobs in a totally different industry and eventually got one based on the variety of work I had done in my previous role (though it was mundane, there was quite a broad base of mundane tasks to do!), the working hours aren't as favourable but I get an hours lunch, work in the city centre rather than middle of nowhere, am closer to home, got a tiny payrise, fewer benefits and am learning all sorts of new things and good stuff to put on my CV and develop my career. It's not a perfect job but it's worth it for me to get where I want to be and I'm much happier doing what I'm doing now.

macalacka

I would at least look around! Yes having a job is the most important thing but we live in a country where we have the luxury of finding work that we WANT to do. The worse thing is working ina role where you are twiddling your thumbs. Update your CV, put it on totaljobs, monster, reed etc etc and re upload your CV every two weeks. It will keep you at the top of the list. Be picky, it might take you longer to find something but it will be worth it in the end

jobbingmusician

You've got 3 days a week to develop your career, look for something new, study.... Why don't you?