Should I change jobs?

LegacyUser

Hi
I just thought I'd go unreg for this as I am at my wits end at work. Basically I am doing really long hours, from 9 in the morning til 7 or 8 most nights even though I never intend to stay at work that long. It's been like this for almost a year and I find I have to do this just to keep up with the work..

Obviously I can't do this physically for much longer, the main cause of this is that I am constantly moved from project to project and each one is completely different and quite difficult. They are technical projects so they can be really complex, also there is a constant stream of "crisis" situations, every day, which is very stressful.
Others on the same project have been working on it usually for a long time (maybe years) so they find it much easier and it can be very difficult to catch up, so I don't feel like I'm contributing.

So this came to a head this week because I had a chance to talk to my manager about it, and basically he absolutely could not give a sh1te about any of this.
This means nothing is going to change - but long term it cannot continue because I can feel the strain on my heart (not kidding) and this is going on for almost a year, and the year before that was no piece of cake either

There is no recognition of the work I'm doing, it's just taken as the "bare minimum". I can appreciate how from a management point of view my work might not always anything special, but I still do a lot at work, I've given it my best basically.
A problem in changing jobs is that I live about 1 hour away from other places where I could work which would mean possibly 2 hours a day commuting but I am considering it...

matt70iu

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear you're having so much difficulty with work. What makes it even more difficult is jobs are so hard to come by.

The other side of that is, there is no reason for you to have to put up with a job that is stressing you out, affecting your health and taking up most if not all of your free time. I would suggest going to your human resources department and explaining your situation and how it's affecting your quality of life.

Your manager sounds more concerned with reaching goals and targets than with his/her staff. A manager is first and fore most a manager of people, so he is ignoring a very vital aspect of his role by not looking out for your well being.

If it is the case that you don't feel there is anyone impartial within the organisation you can go to, I would suggest going to a union, failing that, a solicitor. I hope you get sorted....

gandalf

Have look and see if there are any jobs out there with the skills you have and start applying.

I went through a similar experience where I was working from 8am till 8pm for 3 months solid. I was lucky I had a manager that did listen to me and helped me get another position that had become available in the company. He realised that it was burning me out and I would be no use to the company a nervous wreak. It also made them realise that the position in question needed more support and the person that took it over from me did get that support as well.

You have said your piece to the manager and they (wrongly) have ignored you. If possible I suggest trying to get a position elsewhere. If this is not possible I would suggest a chat with a solicitor specialising in employment law as the hours you are working are illegal and let them advise your next engagement with your manager.

20goto10

Get up off your desk and go home on the dot. When they ask you to explain why the work is unfinished then explain it and be very clear it is the result of poor management and you are not going to put your health and personal time at risk anymore.

This worked for me. Failing that, find a new job.

wmpdd3

deadtiger wrote: »

Have look and see if there are any jobs out there with the skills you have and start applying.

I went through a similar experience where I was working from 8am till 8pm for 3 months solid. I was lucky I had a manager that did listen to me and helped me get another position that had become available in the company. He realised that it was burning me out and I would be no use to the company a nervous wreak. It also made them realise that the position in question needed more support and the person that took it over from me did get that support as well.

You have said your piece to the manager and they (wrongly) have ignored you. If possible I suggest trying to get a position elsewhere. If this is not possible I would suggest a chat with a solicitor specialising in employment law as the hours you are working are illegal and let them advise your next engagement with your manager.

If the OP works 9-7 most days this is not illegal...

From the working time directive:

From 1st March 1998 the new maximum average working
week is 48 hours. Averaging may be balanced out over a 4, 6 or
12 month period depending on the circumstances. The
provision relating to the 48 hour week operates as follows;
48 hour net maximum working week can be averaged
according to the following rules:-
• For employees generally - 4 months
• For employees where work is subject to seasonality, a
foreseeable surge in activity or where employees are directly
involved in ensuring continuity of service or production - 6
months
• For all employees who enter into a collective agreement
with their employers which is approved by the Labour
Court - 12 months

LegacyUser

matt70iu wrote: »

Your manager sounds more concerned with reaching goals and targets than with his/her staff. A manager is first and fore most a manager of people, so he is ignoring a very vital aspect of his role by not looking out for your well being.

Hi I think that's basically the situation, they are more interested in meeting their own management goals that will make them look good than anything else, simple as..

I will have to start just going home exactly when the working day ends otherwise I'm going to be taken for a ride The thing is we are expected to go the "extra mile" by staying late or whatever and I don't think this is normal, you should be able to do your job within your days work. It's everyone as well, you can see the tired eyes

I could go the legal route but I'd prefer to just get a change, the whole thing strikes me as being badly managed perhaps even from higher up. When you start out you don't see these things but it does matter long term..