Bored office worker

robatwork

Your colleagues will be busier than you and would love the offer of some assistance.....

ThemeOne

I agree with the idea of learning more Excel. Don't ask for training, just learn it yourself - there are loads of online resources, and as you learn more, you'll think of ways to incorporate it into your work.

I once read that 90% of Excel users have only ever used the SUM function (borne out by my own experience) so the bar is set quite low to stand out from the crowd!

silverwhistle

ThemeOne wrote: »

I once read that 90% of Excel users have only ever used the SUM function (borne out by my own experience) so the bar is set quite low to stand out from the crowd!

That would be me! Mind you, I did use a function to work out what I would have to pay to pay off my mortgage, and my answer was the same as the building society's so I might have been able to improve. I was pretty dodgy with SQL too!

But I agree, a good suggestion and one not likely to be picked up by somebody idly passing your screen.

Smodlet

I certainly agree with the idea of finding out if you can help your colleagues. You don't have to bother management with, "I don't have enough to do", just try asking a few of them if there is anything you could help with. Show an interest in their roles, flatter them, even: "Your job sounds really interesting. Do you think you could tell me more about it, when you can spare a few minutes, please?"

If nothing else, it would give you a greater insight into what the company does, how it runs. Enthusiasm, if genuine, sets you apart from those who just show up to pay the bills. Show you can learn, are interested, have ambition and want to progress.

Alternatively, you could do online surveys for money... just don't get caught.

getmore4less

katie_saver wrote: »

Agree with No_Name, I think a lot of people would be sacked on the spot for internet browsing out of their lunch hour. I get the work required done and in a very efficient manner, I often stay late when required when I'm very busy. In the times I am not so busy I browse the internet or will now take on some of the great suggestions made on this thread.
In past jobs I have found saying - I don't have enough to do is seen as very negative meaning you are not doing or job or not needed. As I am a temp and very much enjoy my job - I prefer not to go down that route.

Someone has justified hiring a temp, thye have made case for the hours you do.

how do you think they look when word get round that you have nothing to do, it blows their credibility and puts them in a difficult position.

Any discussion needs to be discrete and with the stakeholder.

even then they may have difficulties in giving more work as the original justification looks suspicions when suddenly a temp is doing more work.