Warning - bit of a word-vomit dump. I’m already looking, but just need to get my thoughts together in writing:
Started a new role in January as an Assistant I’ve done it before, it’s not the most exciting but it paid the bills and I got on with the role (plus one of the MDs I supported was class in general - understanding, detailed and the dream to support). However, the role I was in wasn’t for very long - contract up until May this year due for renewal (so no guarantee if extended). I also supported another MD who approached me a month later asking if I would be interested in stepping up into a role becoming vacant as the previous person was stepping into another internal promotion in the same team. A much longer contract, so longer job security and on paper the job sounded really interesting. Yup, I’m interested after reading a quick job spec, negotiated a start date, small increase in salary etc. Good MD was sad, but happy for progression and he checks in now and then.
Start the new role, then get Covid VERY bad after a few days. Was off two weeks and my team checked in now and again (but no harassment, they knew how ill I was).
I come back to the company with lingering symptoms of brain-fog, dizziness (I also have pre-existing health conditions so they really do NOT complement each other). At this point it turns out a whole chunk of us in the company caught it at a work event, I’m one of the few who had it the worst.
At this point something…changed? I’ve worked in places where something of this manner permits a Return to Work interview and something in writing which didn’t happen (….and hasn’t happened despite me asking). I got asked if I was okay in a meeting, disclosed how I felt and suggested changing ways of working. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I had a week where I could not concentrate or do anything, struggled with the basics. I felt awful as I felt I wasn’t pulling my weight.
The job itself on paper sounds good but OH MY GOD I AM SO BORED. It's dull!!!!! I'm nearly pulling my hair out.
Plus the training I’ve had has been very ad-hoc and bitty. Nothing is in writing and we don’t have guides (we use four different systems that all operate differently) which is a tad concerning. Overall I’m not feeling confident. I’m pulled into meetings one after another every other day where I really don’t understand what is going on (acronyms, buzz-words, injokes). I ask for clarification and it’s just…a weird reaction.
In the meantime a lot of people (and I mean a lot - new and old) have slowly disclosed how bizarre and unhappy this place makes people. I’ve heard a few horror stories that when I’ve managed people in the past, it would be instant written warnings and actual procedures. When I do go in the office (we have hybrid) it is a VERY odd atmosphere.
After repeatedly asking for one I’m finally having a one to one next Friday with my new manager who has barely said three words to me. It’s taken a month and a half to acknowledge this and actually get something in the diary.
I’m unsure if its a symptom of the sheer volume people are expected to do (and from what people have disclosed….the salaries don’t reflect the workload) or if people have just given up. It’s public sector under a sheen of corporate.
I have made some really good connections with people there (who I wish I could work with) but overall just not happy. I’ve felt really ignored by my new team and if no-one is checking in with me, I’m not confident the work that I’m doing is any good?!
(I also somehow passed probation - had a random letter on my doorstep last week yet no-one…told me to my face?)
We’re also providing some major work as a contract with the Commonwealth Games and there has also been a proverbial shitstorm as rather than hire an agency/contractors to support with crucial front-line work it’s been dropped on the company that we are expected to help out with all teams, there is a blanket ban on ALL holiday July - September (but they did say those with children have an exception - but in the tone of those without have nothing on) and there is an expectation to work from morning to end of day.
Sadly my old job has been filled so I can’t step back into that, but actively looking (along with 90% of the company lol). Just debating on how professionally angry I can be in my FIRST meeting with my manager with a lot of ongoing issues (and a lot I haven’t put down here, but its enough to make a lot of people I know shake their head in disgust).
Started a new role in January as an Assistant I’ve done it before, it’s not the most exciting but it paid the bills and I got on with the role (plus one of the MDs I supported was class in general - understanding, detailed and the dream to support). However, the role I was in wasn’t for very long - contract up until May this year due for renewal (so no guarantee if extended). I also supported another MD who approached me a month later asking if I would be interested in stepping up into a role becoming vacant as the previous person was stepping into another internal promotion in the same team. A much longer contract, so longer job security and on paper the job sounded really interesting. Yup, I’m interested after reading a quick job spec, negotiated a start date, small increase in salary etc. Good MD was sad, but happy for progression and he checks in now and then.
Start the new role, then get Covid VERY bad after a few days. Was off two weeks and my team checked in now and again (but no harassment, they knew how ill I was).
I come back to the company with lingering symptoms of brain-fog, dizziness (I also have pre-existing health conditions so they really do NOT complement each other). At this point it turns out a whole chunk of us in the company caught it at a work event, I’m one of the few who had it the worst.
At this point something…changed? I’ve worked in places where something of this manner permits a Return to Work interview and something in writing which didn’t happen (….and hasn’t happened despite me asking). I got asked if I was okay in a meeting, disclosed how I felt and suggested changing ways of working. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I had a week where I could not concentrate or do anything, struggled with the basics. I felt awful as I felt I wasn’t pulling my weight.
The job itself on paper sounds good but OH MY GOD I AM SO BORED. It's dull!!!!! I'm nearly pulling my hair out.
Plus the training I’ve had has been very ad-hoc and bitty. Nothing is in writing and we don’t have guides (we use four different systems that all operate differently) which is a tad concerning. Overall I’m not feeling confident. I’m pulled into meetings one after another every other day where I really don’t understand what is going on (acronyms, buzz-words, injokes). I ask for clarification and it’s just…a weird reaction.
In the meantime a lot of people (and I mean a lot - new and old) have slowly disclosed how bizarre and unhappy this place makes people. I’ve heard a few horror stories that when I’ve managed people in the past, it would be instant written warnings and actual procedures. When I do go in the office (we have hybrid) it is a VERY odd atmosphere.
After repeatedly asking for one I’m finally having a one to one next Friday with my new manager who has barely said three words to me. It’s taken a month and a half to acknowledge this and actually get something in the diary.
I’m unsure if its a symptom of the sheer volume people are expected to do (and from what people have disclosed….the salaries don’t reflect the workload) or if people have just given up. It’s public sector under a sheen of corporate.
I have made some really good connections with people there (who I wish I could work with) but overall just not happy. I’ve felt really ignored by my new team and if no-one is checking in with me, I’m not confident the work that I’m doing is any good?!
(I also somehow passed probation - had a random letter on my doorstep last week yet no-one…told me to my face?)
We’re also providing some major work as a contract with the Commonwealth Games and there has also been a proverbial shitstorm as rather than hire an agency/contractors to support with crucial front-line work it’s been dropped on the company that we are expected to help out with all teams, there is a blanket ban on ALL holiday July - September (but they did say those with children have an exception - but in the tone of those without have nothing on) and there is an expectation to work from morning to end of day.
Sadly my old job has been filled so I can’t step back into that, but actively looking (along with 90% of the company lol). Just debating on how professionally angry I can be in my FIRST meeting with my manager with a lot of ongoing issues (and a lot I haven’t put down here, but its enough to make a lot of people I know shake their head in disgust).