X-No-Archive: Yes

Doubtless I'll appear ridiculous but it's already got me in a major panic.

I started my 'new' job today; it's at the same place, albeit at a different
office. I was offered the job a while back but turned it down flat for a
number of reasons Anyway, they soon came back with added spin, the usual
stuff about it being an 'ideal' move for me and something they were sure I'd
enjoy, before stating that I was moving whether I liked it or not. The odd
carrot was dangled for good measure: I was told that a large part of my new
job would be taking an area of speciality with me, this is already looking a
bit misleading. I recall thinking to myself 'In a fair society they
shouldn't be able to get away with this.' But this is Britain, decades
behind much of Europe on workplace legislation, and business leaders have
never been keen on employees having much protection or rights. I had no
realistic choice but to go. Anyway, the job hasn't turned out to be as
disappointing as I thought it would be: it's looking worse. It seems all
they wanted was an extra resource for the bureaucracy team: where you park
your arse for 8 hours, translate mathematical statistics from one form to
another, fill in forms and charts, follow pedantic written procedures to the
letter, then write more, and raise jobs...for others to do. Then you do
exactly the same the next day. I've never had much affection for this
company but I'd made my job bearable by focusing on the variety,
appreciating how it allowed me to use my initiative, trying to enjoy the
leading role I'd developed after so many years, enjoying not having my boss
under my feet, and appreciating the vibrant office I worked at. Then I was
booted into a team of static penpushers in a different office which has half
the atmosphere and twice the noise. The stability I'd developed in my old
job was one of the few rocks keeping me going, now I feel I've been treated
with contempt and I want this 'new chapter' I didn't choose to stop right
now. I've seen what the job's about and I don't want it. Yet, as I was
effectively forced over I can't see a way back. I felt so angry and
miserable today, I even thought about walking out for a while.

Doubtless some long term readers will think "That mac has always moaned
about his job." True to a degree but I stayed at it and had gradually
brought things round to my favour somewhat: I can't see any such potential
in this role, it's much worse; deskbound repetitive bureaucracy, and I never
even pretended to want it.

Many years ago I recall my mother talking about a distant relative of ours:
"He's one of those people nothing ever seems to go right for." she said. I
remember being ever so sure I wouldn't end up like that. I have done. I
don't know what to do.

Sorry to go on but I've no-one else to tell.

mac

"mac" <john_macster> wrote in message
news:8640
> X-No-Archive: Yes
>
> snipped but read

I'm sorry to hear you are having such a bad time of it with work. It never
helps when we feel forced into things.. Not sure what else to say but I wish
you well
Wendy

I have a friend who's had all kinds of problems at her workplace, ranging
from harrassment to false accusations to generally awful behaviour from
collegues and bosses. I continually told her, "if you dont like it then
why are you still there? find something else!".

And I say the same thing to you now. There is no reason to stay in a job
that you hate. Start looking for another job a.s.a.p. and then, when you
get another job, tell your current employers where to stuff it.

Just my humble opinion

Owen

"mac" <john_macster> wrote in message
news:8640
> X-No-Archive: Yes
>
> Doubtless I'll appear ridiculous but it's already got me in a major panic.
>
> I started my 'new' job today; it's at the same place, albeit at a
different
> office. I was offered the job a while back but turned it down flat for a
> number of reasons Anyway, they soon came back with added spin, the usual
> stuff about it being an 'ideal' move for me and something they were sure
I'd
> enjoy, before stating that I was moving whether I liked it or not. The odd
> carrot was dangled for good measure: I was told that a large part of my
new
> job would be taking an area of speciality with me, this is already looking
a
> bit misleading. I recall thinking to myself 'In a fair society they
> shouldn't be able to get away with this.' But this is Britain, decades
> behind much of Europe on workplace legislation, and business leaders have
> never been keen on employees having much protection or rights. I had no
> realistic choice but to go. Anyway, the job hasn't turned out to be as
> disappointing as I thought it would be: it's looking worse. It seems all
> they wanted was an extra resource for the bureaucracy team: where you park
> your arse for 8 hours, translate mathematical statistics from one form to
> another, fill in forms and charts, follow pedantic written procedures to
the
> letter, then write more, and raise jobs...for others to do. Then you do
> exactly the same the next day. I've never had much affection for this
> company but I'd made my job bearable by focusing on the variety,
> appreciating how it allowed me to use my initiative, trying to enjoy the
> leading role I'd developed after so many years, enjoying not having my
boss
> under my feet, and appreciating the vibrant office I worked at. Then I was
> booted into a team of static penpushers in a different office which has
half
> the atmosphere and twice the noise. The stability I'd developed in my old
> job was one of the few rocks keeping me going, now I feel I've been
treated
> with contempt and I want this 'new chapter' I didn't choose to stop right
> now. I've seen what the job's about and I don't want it. Yet, as I was
> effectively forced over I can't see a way back. I felt so angry and
> miserable today, I even thought about walking out for a while.
>
> Doubtless some long term readers will think "That mac has always moaned
> about his job." True to a degree but I stayed at it and had gradually
> brought things round to my favour somewhat: I can't see any such potential
> in this role, it's much worse; deskbound repetitive bureaucracy, and I
never
> even pretended to want it.
>
> Many years ago I recall my mother talking about a distant relative of
ours:
> "He's one of those people nothing ever seems to go right for." she said. I
> remember being ever so sure I wouldn't end up like that. I have done. I
> don't know what to do.
>
> Sorry to go on but I've no-one else to tell.
>
> mac


I'd be panicking to tbh trapped in a job you didn't want or like. Take care
hope it gets easier for you *hugs*

X-No-Archive: Yes

On Mon, 10 May 2004 18:00:01 +0100, "mac" <john_macster>
wrote:

snip

> I started my 'new' job today;

snip

The first day in a job is seldom the best it gets, or even typical.

If it does turn out to be a change for the worse, then start looking
elsewhere.

On Mon, 10 May 2004 18:00:01 +0100, "mac" <john_macster>
wrote:

[..]
>"He's one of those people nothing ever seems to go right for." she said. I
>remember being ever so sure I wouldn't end up like that. I have done. I
>don't know what to do.
>
>Sorry to go on but I've no-one else to tell.
>
>mac
>>
Hi Mac i am sending you a Jaffa(((hug))) and i wish you well keep
posting tcare marie x

X-No-Archive: Yes

To those saying look elsewhere, you're not wrong, of course it's the logical
thing to do. Having been with the same firm for several years though I feel
my skills have become tailored to the company environment, to the point
where I hardly ever see a job advertised I think I could do (I've grown to
become a jack of all trades and master of none). Add that to the fact that I
have no 'in field' qualifications (despite being as or more capable than
many who do, and they increasingly seem to be demanded) and it's a daunting
prospect.

I regret staying in the same place so long: I don't think it pays to be
loyal.

mac

On Mon, 10 May 2004 22:06:49 +0100, "mac" <john_macster>
wrote:

snip

> I regret staying in the same place so long: I don't think it pays to be
> loyal.

These days the 'job for life' seems to have vanished. Loyalty is only
useful if it's reciprocated.

Job advertisements often specify particular "qualifications" or
experience, but in practice flexibility and broad-ranging abilities are
very useful - as you have found in your present job.

Start writing a CV, bearing in mind the aspects of your experience,
qualifications, and personality, that would appeal to the sort of employer
who would suit you. If you can manage it without revealing 'trade
secrets' of your present employers, you could try describing one or two
tasks or projects that you think you were or are good at, to serve as
examples of your strengths. There are lots of books and web-sites giving
advice on CV-writing. (Americans use the term 'resumé'; beware of making
yours too American though.)