Feeling like a spare part?

n1guy

Wondering if anyone else has been in this predicament, did you hang around or move on?

I was taken on during a busy period, for the first 3/4 weeks had plenty of work, now normal service has resumed I find im standing around most of the day like a spare part, boss seems happy enough to pay me as they go though up and down periods apparently and when busy they don’t have enough workers, as I say the issue is when not busy I’ve nothing to do, I don’t fit in anywhere. All positions seem filled unless someone’s sick or whatever I’m the sub.

I’m back and forward to the manager all day looking things to do.  I get little menial jobs more suited to a student that take minutes to complete.  Would you believe they had me painting last week !!!!!!?  I am also probably the most experienced given I’m at least 10 years older than my coworkers and have been in this line of work since I left school.  

Only thing keeping me there at the moment is I am getting paid more than I ever have but it’s more than that, it’s about job satisfaction I guess, feeling needed, I get neither and we’ll not mention the god damn boredom factor. 

housebuyer143

Personally if you don't find it challenging then I would look for something else, obviously stay there until you have it. Some people might like to stand around doing nothing but it's never been me and sounds like it's not you either 

Having just been made redundant from a similar boring job I saw it as a blessing because I was comfortable and wouldn't have left but the job didn't challenge and I was bored. 

n1guy

housebuyer143 said:

Personally if you don't find it challenging then I would look for something else, obviously stay there until you have it. Some people might like to stand around doing nothing but it's never been me and sounds like it's not you either 

Having just been made redundant from a similar boring job I saw it as a blessing because I was comfortable and wouldn't have left but the job didn't challenge and I was bored. 

Yeah that’s it, you need a challenge every day, something to work the old grey matter and I like getting up in the morning knowing what’s going on that day, what I’m working on or doing.  I don’t know in here one minute to the next, it’s always something to just kinda keep me out of the way for a while, never anything that actually needs done, like painting the canteen???

Grumpy_chap

Is this the same job where things had gone quiet a month ago?
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6466409/should-i-start-job-hunting-again-or-wait-and-see-how-it-plays-out#latest

elsien

And the same job that you were also complaining about both  in April and in June?
Although if I recall correctly you also complained about the old job before you were made redundant. Perhaps you need to give a little more consideration as to where the problem lies here?

Marcon

elsien said:

And the same job that you were also complaining about in June?
Although if I recall correctly you also complained about the old job before you were made redundant. Perhaps you need to give a little more consideration as to where the problem lies here?

Quite - never practice making mistakes, which is what OP seems to be doing.

Maybe use some of this 'unchallenging standing around' time to do some online study for a qualification which might improve your prospects of getting a job you'd enjoy?

n1guy

Marcon said:

elsien said:

And the same job that you were also complaining about in June?
Although if I recall correctly you also complained about the old job before you were made redundant. Perhaps you need to give a little more consideration as to where the problem lies here?

Quite - never practice making mistakes, which is what OP seems to be doing.

Maybe use some of this 'unchallenging standing around' time to do some online study for a qualification which might improve your prospects of getting a job you'd enjoy?

I’m mid 40s and still don’t know what id enjoy so take what I’ve the best chance of getting.  I probably do enjoy the actual work it’s all the other background crap, the politics I suppose. I mean I’ve complained in the past about various things such as holidays being shifted or cancelled with no notice, things that shouldn’t happen but do, or this standing around when not actually needed.  Work should be a 2 way thing.  I’m there to do a job, I will do that job to the best of my ability, I will be on time,  I will rarely if ever have a sick day, in return you play by the books and law. 

Marcon

n1guy said:

Marcon said:

elsien said:

And the same job that you were also complaining about in June?
Although if I recall correctly you also complained about the old job before you were made redundant. Perhaps you need to give a little more consideration as to where the problem lies here?

Quite - never practice making mistakes, which is what OP seems to be doing.

Maybe use some of this 'unchallenging standing around' time to do some online study for a qualification which might improve your prospects of getting a job you'd enjoy?

I’m mid 40s and still don’t know what id enjoy so take what I’ve the best chance of getting.  I probably do enjoy the actual work it’s all the other background crap, the politics I suppose. I mean I’ve complained in the past about various things such as holidays being shifted or cancelled with no notice, things that shouldn’t happen but do, or this standing around when not actually needed.  Work should be a 2 way thing.  I’m there to do a job, I will do that job to the best of my ability, I will be on time,  I will rarely if ever have a sick day, in return you play by the books and law. 

Sounds like history will continue to repeat itself, then. 

Work is a two way thing: you do what the employer asks and they pay you - but there seems to be a lot about being an employee which doesn't appeal to you. Any chance you could transfer your skills and experience to some sort of self employment, which might cut down a lot of your issues (but also raise new ones that inevitably arise when you change status in this way).

housebuyer143

Marcon said:

n1guy said:

Marcon said:

elsien said:

And the same job that you were also complaining about in June?
Although if I recall correctly you also complained about the old job before you were made redundant. Perhaps you need to give a little more consideration as to where the problem lies here?

Quite - never practice making mistakes, which is what OP seems to be doing.

Maybe use some of this 'unchallenging standing around' time to do some online study for a qualification which might improve your prospects of getting a job you'd enjoy?

I’m mid 40s and still don’t know what id enjoy so take what I’ve the best chance of getting.  I probably do enjoy the actual work it’s all the other background crap, the politics I suppose. I mean I’ve complained in the past about various things such as holidays being shifted or cancelled with no notice, things that shouldn’t happen but do, or this standing around when not actually needed.  Work should be a 2 way thing.  I’m there to do a job, I will do that job to the best of my ability, I will be on time,  I will rarely if ever have a sick day, in return you play by the books and law. 

Sounds like history will continue to repeat itself, then. 

Work is a two way thing: you do what the employer asks and they pay you - but there seems to be a lot about being an employee which doesn't appeal to you. Any chance you could transfer your skills and experience to some sort of self employment, which might cut down a lot of your issues (but also raise new ones that inevitably arise when you change status in this way).

I don't think you are being fair. Some workplaces suck, end of. 
I have been in both positions (bad employer and great one) and there are plenty of companies who respect their staff, treat them well, and follow the law. If I started work somewhere are found them to not do all those things I would be gone. Life's too short to work somewhere you are not treated right.

Might be the OPs line of work attracts the more unscrupulous employer so potentially a change of profession is in order.