Migraine

I have been getting very frustrated with my job lately. It is growing increasingly more annoying, which, in return, makes me increasingly more snappy.

See, at my old job that I was at for ten years, I was always given things to do and was one of the first to get work because I did it fast and don't really believe in job descriptions. I was hired to post outpatient charges, and by the time I left I was doing collections, going to court for the company, would be the "go to" person when my boss was away (even though there were supervisors). I knew what was going on and had structure to my work day. The phone would ring, I would answer it and assist the person, or promptly get the caller over to whom they needed to speak with - and they picked up the phone promptly as well.

Now, I am kept in the dark on everything, never know what is going on - yet because I'm the bosses DIL, everyone assumes I know all, even though I've been here less than a year.

I have no structure. I have people who have no work ethic, never come in on time (which makes my job difficult because I don't know the tech side of this job so when they are not here, I get yelled at). I have learned to leave the phone on "night" until techs come in - even if it is 2 hours after our work day was supposed to start (and I had been here since before our 'open' time).

Everyone here just talks to hear themselves talk, don't give a hootie about the customer, lets them wait on the line, talks to them in a negative way and it's just annoying and I'm over it.

I am someone who shows up on time, does my job, asks others if they need help and cares about what I do. Now I am left with blocks of time during the day in which I have nothing to do, and well, surf the net. I've asked to do menu programming, to have someone show me, but it seems no one really wants me to learn. This is so frustrating! I hate having to find 'busy work' just to occupy myself. I hate just surfing the web when I could be LEARNING something or doing something productive. Don't get me wrong, once in a while a little net surfing is great, but not for 4 to 5 hours a day when I have nothing else to do but answer a phone if it rings.

I'm just at the point where I don't know what to do here. I want to do more at my job - I get paid very well to do what I do, yet I want to learn and do more - most employers would not have a problem with that!

I just feel like no one here understands my work ethic and just slacks off all day. It's annoying and I hate it. Plus, not that anyone has brought gender into it, but I think the reason why I am not shown more is because I'm a girl. Life is just great now!

Awwwww! That just bites! I don't do well with having a whole lot of down time, either. I get restless. Even busy work is better than nothing when down time rolls around, but it's not fun trying to create a busy project out of thin air.

Eileen,

It really stinks that things aren't better at your office!! Considering the fact that you spend a huge part of your life at work, it'd sure be nice if things were a little better there!

It's really hard to change the work ethics of your co-workers. I think the only person who could bring a change (i.e., get them to do their jobs, get to work on time, etc.) is the boss. And if he's not concerned about it, it'll be hard to get him to do anything! Just keep on being yourself, showing up early, being a good employee--maybe some of that good stuff will rub off on them!

Is there any part of the business that you can choose to learn about on your own? I know that my DH (a computer guy) learned an entire programming language during downtime at work. It seems like you're gonna have to find something new to learn on your own--doesn't sound like the boss is going to help you out! Nothing's worse than being bored for hours at work!

I hope today's a better day. Sending some your way!!

jenny

I know exactly how you feel! I used to work at a place where the other employees had been there for so long they had a sense of job security and that lead to them not giving a hoot about the customers. I, on the other hand, always put customers first. We wouldn't exist as a company if it weren't for them and they should be the top priority. I feel just like you on that front.

Is there even one person that would be willing to give you a few pointers on how to do some other work? Maybe they'd be happy to share their knowledge with you, of course you need to be careful they don't unload their job on you!

It's hard to be a go, go, go person in a hurry up and wait job. What about having a heart to heart with your boss? Can that be done without stepping on any toes?

I totally understand where you're coming from. I hate having hours of free time at work, although it does give me time to be on here I've been stuck here for 2 years and the main part of my day revolves around busy work. I never have enough work to keep me busy and I'm a serious go go go person and without having things to do the day drags and all I want to do is go home.

I wish I had some wonderful advice that would fix your work problems... if I did, I'd use it myself. Just wanted to let you know that you're not alone...

Meli

One of the biggest problems I face is the "I would do this differently" syndrome - example: if I had employees that do nothing and basically drain payroll but never lift a finger - they would be fired. I have never had an issue with firing people in previous jobs where that was part of the deal.

So, these employees sit around and they are the of the "it will get done when it gets done" mind set - where my deal is more, do it now and get it done so you an move on to the next thing.

For those of you who don't know, I work for my FIL - so I guess in a sense, I could get away with murder, but that is just not me. I want to earn my keep! I think he doesn't want me to know more for fear of having to pay more - which I don't want, or need right now - I just don't want to be bored all day, or because then if other people know things, they can step on his toes and learn how to do things better than he does them, which would be the worst thing in the world to him!

One of the guys here just runs off at the mouth, he does it to annoy me like it's cute or something. I'll tell ya, I want to strangle him most days. The ironic thing is, he is one of the only ones here that I can talk to. He does a lot for the company, but he has his faults too, like just not showing up or calling to let us know he won't be in.

I have joked with my FIL before saying "what did you do to find your employees? Hold a sign up on a street corner saying 'job available' and anyone who came up to him you hired?" I just don't get it!

In the mornings now, I don't even take the phones off night until someone is in the office. I can't answer the questions these people have, yet because of that they yell at me. Why is no one there that knows? I just tell them they don't come to work on time. Well, now, I just don't take the phone off night.

Eileen,

GRRRRRR - there is nothing worse than being bored at work and being surrounded by people who don't care!!!!! I've never understood why they don't understand that they're actually stealing from the company when they come in late and waste time!

I'm wondering if in your down time, you could write a proprosal for a more efficient way to manage things. Your FIL may not even realize how haphazard things are. Would he be receptive to your suggestions for change?

Hope things get better for you soon!!

Cyn