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Hate my new job

  • 20-03-2016 01:19PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 108 ✭✭


    I am late 40's and after 20 years in Customer Service, I took voluntary redundancy in 2012. Looking back it wasnt the best move but I was going nowhere and the communte was a killer. I went back to education to do level 4 -5 courses and after VTOS ran out I went job hunting. There is abosolutely nothing in the midlands except internships, which I tried but business failed. I have finally managed to get a full time permanent job which I thought would be the answer to all my prayers but I hate it. I hate it so much that I am anxious all the time, I dont get a break all afternoon and we start at 8.00. Its a very stressful job and I am totally new to the product they sell and they might as well be talking in a different language. We have 2 mortgages and are in deep financial difficulty and I hate letting my husband down but I just dont see myself as staying there. He is dissapointed in me for not giving it a chance but all I want is a boring admin job with a load of paperwork with no phones but I cannt find a job like that anywhere. Does anyone know if temping might be the best option at this stage? Some of the employment agencies do not even respond to emails which can be frustrating as well.

    Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.


«1

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,926 ✭✭✭davo10


    I am late 40's and after 20 years in Customer Service, I took voluntary redundancy in 2012. Looking back it wasnt the best move but I was going nowhere and the communte was a killer. I went back to education to do level 4 -5 courses and after VTOS ran out I went job hunting. There is abosolutely nothing in the midlands except internships, which I tried but business failed. I have finally managed to get a full time permanent job which I thought would be the answer to all my prayers but I hate it. I hate it so much that I am anxious all the time, I dont get a break all afternoon and we start at 8.00. Its a very stressful job and I am totally new to the product they sell and they might as well be talking in a different language. We have 2 mortgages and are in deep financial difficulty and I hate letting my husband down but I just dont see myself as staying there. He is dissapointed in me for not giving it a chance but all I want is a boring admin job with a load of paperwork with no phones but I cannt find a job like that anywhere. Does anyone know if temping might be the best option at this stage? Some of the employment agencies do not even respond to emails which can be frustrating as well.

    Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

    Unfortunately it reads like you want a cushy number with no stress and no one bothering you. Not many of those around. If you are working in sales/customer support, you need to learn about the product. As long as your employer is giving you the legally required break during your day, you are not entitled to an "afternoon" tea break. Your financial situation should motivate you to stay and give it your best shot, all the while keeping a look out for a better job. If you leave a job voluntarily, I think there is a waiting period of around 9 weeks before you receive beneifits. No point in relying on temping if the temping jobs are not there.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 108 ✭✭Midlands Minnie


    After working with the one company for such a long time All of this is new to me, but I think you may be right.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,141 ✭✭✭Stealthfins


    I notice this coming up a lot lately, people discontent in their jobs.
    The biggest observation I can see is the lack of proper management and employer's looking after their staff.

    Pure ****ing greed,absolute ****ty working conditions.

    People on top creaming it,the people in the middle trying to out do oneanother.
    Climbing over oneanother to get recognition,working more hours than needed.
    If the wages and working conditions were more fair,I think companies would have a better output.

    I started working when I was 16 I'm now 40.
    I notice a big change,this thing about working 60 hours a week and getting paid for 40 is absolute bllox,while in effect you deduct one third of your hourly rate that's what you're getting paid.

    Say for instance your hourly rate is 18 euros an hour,whoppi doo.
    Your working 60 hours a week getting paid for 40.
    In reality you're working for 12 euros an hour and loosing out big time in getting time and a half over time or worse still you're not getting double time either

    It's all an illusion, Hans Christian Anderson would have a field day writing stories if he was alive today.

    Herd mentality is alive and well in the cooperative world.

    Yeah put in the extra time,management will give you a pat on the back and give your self esteem and self worth an inflation.

    Is it worth it???

    Maybe I'm wrong.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 108 ✭✭Midlands Minnie


    I worked for a great company and was spoiled a little. This new post, its so structured and the software is so complicated, I feel a younger person would thrive and love it but as mentioned above, maybe I just want the easy life and to be honest I wouldnt care how much I am paid as long as I am happy. I'd even do tills but the jobs are just not there. Its awful out there, especially the midlands where everything is jobbridge.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 108 ✭✭Midlands Minnie


    On another note with regard to my anxiety, I suffer with my mental health. Nervous breakdown, money troubles, family troubles, childhood troubles. So honestly I am not looking for sympathy here, its just is it worth my while working for a company I dont like and get very stressed and anxious about it or take my chances with temping where I can chop and change.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 912 ✭✭✭bmm


    It might be worth going to a counsellor for a number of sessions to tease out the root of your anxiety relating to the job. All jobs are stressful starting off. The company you are working for would not have hired you unless you were capable of doing the Job, so give yourself some credit.

    Is there a manager or staff member you can confide in about the struggle you have using the software?

    Quitting the job is the very last step if all else fails. Good Luck.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 9,833 Mod ✭✭✭✭Manach


    As well, it might be worth OP making a note of hours worked. There is an onus on the employer to ensure that beyond a certain level (inc. the stress, workload and times worked) the working conditions are acceptable.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 108 ✭✭Midlands Minnie


    Thank you bmm. I wont leave until I have something else but Counsellin is just too expensive and I dont have the money or can get the time off to go. But that's for another time. I think I may just have to suck it up, learn what I can and only do what I can only do. I told my husband I will give it 6 months but If I am still not happy I will go temping instead. But I am worried about what 6 months of anxiety will do for my mental health. Its a tough situation and that's why I posted. Thanks again.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,514 ✭✭✭bee06


    How long have you actually been doing the job?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,623 ✭✭✭thegreatgonzo


    On another note with regard to my anxiety, I suffer with my mental health. Nervous breakdown, money troubles, family troubles, childhood troubles. So honestly I am not looking for sympathy here, its just is it worth my while working for a company I dont like and get very stressed and anxious about it or take my chances with temping where I can chop and change.

    You don't have to make excuses for yourself. It's an awful feeling to dread going into work. Where I am at the moment I can't even take a toilet break unless I take the phone with me and I have begun to dread the sound of a phone ringing so I do sympathise:)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 108 ✭✭Midlands Minnie


    Manach - the office is down 2 people out of 4, that's why i was hired. One has left and another one is off (and its very hush about why she is gone and when she is coming back) Its getting busier and the training is very sporadic as phones are costantly going, hence the stress. I am taking calls on products I know nothing about and taking down details that are wrong because I am not getting other important details to go with order. It has been said to me that it will only get busier but I have a 4 week review next week and will get some things off my chest then. I am dreading going in tomorrow.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,141 ✭✭✭Stealthfins


    Thank you bmm. I wont leave until I have something else but Counsellin is just too expensive and I dont have the money or can get the time off to go. But that's for another time. I think I may just have to suck it up, learn what I can and only do what I can only do. I told my husband I will give it 6 months but If I am still not happy I will go temping instead. But I am worried about what 6 months of anxiety will do for my mental health. Its a tough situation and that's why I posted. Thanks again.


    Have you looked into working for the public service or even getting on their panel ?

    A few friends of mine are on the panel,one started a job with the council lately.

    The conditions are suitable for him,he gets stressed at times too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 108 ✭✭Midlands Minnie


    I am a 4 weeks in and its been said it will take me 6 months to a year to get myself familiar with the stock and how the system works - but I am taking calls already and getting things wrong, which I dont think is fair.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 108 ✭✭Midlands Minnie


    I would love to get a public service job, but again its impossible to get one as there are so many people going for each position, and they rarely come up. My husband is a teacher so it would suit me down to the ground.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,514 ✭✭✭bee06


    Nobody starts a job and gets everything right straight away. It took me 6 months to feel comfortable with what I was doing. I think you're giving up to easy to be honest.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 108 ✭✭Midlands Minnie


    You don't have to make excuses for yourself. It's an awful feeling to dread going into work. Where I am at the moment I can't even take a toilet break unless I take the phone with me and I have begun to dread the sound of a phone ringing so I do sympathise:)

    Yep, the phone ringing causes me heart to drop and like you, I dread it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 108 ✭✭Midlands Minnie


    bee06 wrote: »
    Nobody starts a job and gets everything right straight away. It took me 6 months to feel comfortable with what I was doing. I think you're giving up to easy to be honest.

    I know - I think I am too, but its just the stress and the anxiety that is getting to me and the fact I want an easy life. I will give it until the summer and see then if I feel the same way.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,117 ✭✭✭PMBC


    For what its worth, a little advice. Do only what you can. Try to find some way out/plan for a new joo or change of job but stay put for the moment. Its always easier to get a job when you're in one. Things on that front will get better. Try relaxation exercises which you can do even at your desk. I've been there so know what its like, currently out of work and looking for a job. Although highly qualified, I'm +60 ...'an elder', so unlikely to get anything in the immediate future.
    Keep as positive as you can be. Try to find out more about the product/software. Look to the future - it will be better. Remember everybody on here, or the vast majority, are on your side.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,514 ✭✭✭bee06


    Is your life going to get any less stressful if you give up any are struggling to pay the bills? I'm guessing not. I think you are in a situation now that is stressful but every week you get through it will get better. It's any extra week of experience, an extra week of learning the products and it will get easier.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 108 ✭✭Midlands Minnie


    Thank you everyone for you ideas and support. It really means a lot and wil look at the bigger picture of bills and quality of life, while looking for other work as well. So will keep my head down, learn what I can and hope it will get better. I am not superwoman and will mention this at meeting next week.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 848 ✭✭✭Superhorse


    I notice this coming up a lot lately, people discontent in their jobs.
    The biggest observation I can see is the lack of proper management and employer's looking after their staff.

    Pure ****ing greed,absolute ****ty working conditions.

    People on top creaming it,the people in the middle trying to out do oneanother.
    Climbing over oneanother to get recognition,working more hours than needed.
    If the wages and working conditions were more fair,I think companies would have a better output.

    I started working when I was 16 I'm now 40.
    I notice a big change,this thing about working 60 hours a week and getting paid for 40 is absolute bllox,while in effect you deduct one third of your hourly rate that's what you're getting paid.

    Say for instance your hourly rate is 18 euros an hour,whoppi doo.
    Your working 60 hours a week getting paid for 40.
    In reality you're working for 12 euros an hour and loosing out big time in getting time and a half over time or worse still you're not getting double time either

    It's all an illusion, Hans Christian Anderson would have a field day writing stories if he was alive today.

    Herd mentality is alive and well in the cooperative world.

    Yeah put in the extra time,management will give you a pat on the back and give your self esteem and self worth an inflation.

    Is it worth it???

    Maybe I'm wrong.

    You are not wrong at all I'm afraid. Left all that sh it behind a long time ago tbh. My job involves zero stress I start at 8 and finish on the dot at 6pm 4 days a week. Yes i'll not progress up the ladder but I'll watch my kids grow and am actually able to spend quality time with my wife and get time to spend doing things I love like motorcycling and enjoying the outdoors.

    OP my advice would be when you make any decision remember nobody lies on their deathbed wishing they'd spent more time in the office.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,478 ✭✭✭Quandary


    You have only been in the job a few weeks. It is completely natural to feel overwhelmed because everything is still very unfamiliar to you. The job will get easier with time. Make sure to ask plenty of questions, even if they appear stupid and do not make a habit of asking the same questions more than twice. Create a word document to record the answers to your various questions along with tips and tricks you learn. This will allow you to build up a knowledge base to refer back to in future. It only takes a second or two to do and it will pay off big time as time passes. I know this from personal experience working in IT where I had a huge learning curve. It was very stressful at the start but it gradually got easier and became manageable.

    You have mentioned that you have financial difficulties. Giving up the job without having something lined up would be hugely irresponsible, not to mention very unfair to your husband, who I have to imagine is also quite stressed. This might sound harsh, and I genuinely don't want to make you feel bad but you need to suck it up and get stuck in.

    Best of luck with it and remember, it will improve if you give it a chance.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 108 ✭✭Midlands Minnie


    Superhorse wrote: »
    You are not wrong at all I'm afraid. Left all that sh it behind a long time ago tbh. My job involves zero stress I start at 8 and finish on the dot at 6pm 4 days a week. Yes i'll not progress up the ladder but I'll watch my kids grow and am actually able to spend quality time with my wife and get time to spend doing things I love like motorcycling and enjoying the outdoors.

    OP my advice would be when you make any decision remember nobody lies on their deathbed wishing they'd spent more time in the office.

    So my ideal job exists!! Are they hiring?? :)


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,141 ✭✭✭Stealthfins


    Superhorse wrote:
    You are not wrong at all I'm afraid. Left all that sh it behind a long time ago tbh. My job involves zero stress I start at 8 and finish on the dot at 6pm 4 days a week. Yes i'll not progress up the ladder but I'll watch my kids grow and am actually able to spend quality time with my wife and get time to spend doing things I love like motorcycling and enjoying the outdoors.


    Thinking of trying the 8 to 6 myself for the summer,4 day's might suit me better.
    I love the outdoors myself.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,168 ✭✭✭Ursus Horribilis


    Did you receive any training in how to use this software? If you're not up to speed, then you should be proactive in asking for help/training. Leaving it until the review may be too late. You should be coming to them and flagging this issue.


  • Posts: 17,847 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I worked for a great company and was spoiled a little. This new post, its so structured and the software is so complicated, I feel a younger person would thrive and love it but as mentioned above, maybe I just want the easy life and to be honest I wouldnt care how much I am paid as long as I am happy. I'd even do tills but the jobs are just not there. Its awful out there, especially the midlands where everything is jobbridge.

    Firstly, Well Done on getting this far.

    Secondly, go to your supervisor/manager and get their help to make sure you understand fully everything you need to fulfil your obligations to the job. You will be amazed at the difference that will make. Once you are confident in this, you will thrive!

    Good Luck.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 108 ✭✭Midlands Minnie


    Its a very complicared system and not straigtforward atv all and has so many variables as its connected to the UK as its a UK based company. My training was haphazard with the phones ringing so not ideal My last job was just to enter order and press ok, this is just something else completely and so far removed from my last job. So its stock information, the computer system and they are 2 people down which has me stressed.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 174 ✭✭Asaiah


    I am a 4 weeks in and its been said it will take me 6 months to a year to get myself familiar with the stock and how the system works - but I am taking calls already and getting things wrong, which I dont think is fair.

    In fairness any job I have started took me a good 3-6 months to become proficient and knowledgable. The first 3 months in a new job are always stressful, especially if there is a big learning curve.

    However I feel your pain, I worked in a call centre for a year and a half whilst I studied for a qualification that got me the hell out of there. Dealing with Joe public whining and tantrum throwing on the phone is a stressful experience and it only takes one bad one to ruin your day. You need to develop some methods for dealing with these people so you can autopilot. It's much less stressful that way.

    Don't take it personally and come up with generic answers to common issues. When you leave the building at the end of the day choose a point that you walk past, and are not thinking or worrying about work anymore. It's hard to do but with some mental practice you can train yourself wo be less stressed by the whole thing. After a while you will be plain sailing.

    I did this and I was getting employee of the month awards every other month!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 848 ✭✭✭Superhorse


    So my ideal job exists!! Are they hiring?? :)

    I took a wage deduction to have more time for myself and my family tbh. Honestly though I wouldn't go back to a five day week and the ladder climbing environment if they paid me double what I'm on now. Just can't put a price on mental health imo. Have a friend who dropped dead at 43 years of age because of stress that made me rethink my life.

    Whatever you do talk to your employer and if they can't respect your side of things and you both come up with a solution then is it really worth working at a job you hate? Good luck whatever you do.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,168 ✭✭✭Ursus Horribilis


    Its a very complicated system and not straightforward at all and has so many variables as it's connected to the UK as it's a UK based company. My training was haphazard with the phones ringing so not ideal .

    This is all the more reason why you should ask for additional training. Write down a list of questions and things you want to have clarified and go to your manager with them. If you don't highlight to them that you need this help in order to do your job properly, it'll give them licence to think that all is rosy and that they can continue as they are. You could mention that it's very hard to get the training with the phones ringing all the time but I'm sure they know bloody well what's happening. Coming to your manager first is an arse covering exercise from your point of view. I'm sure most of the issues that will arise in your upcoming review will be because they've been penny pinching and not taken the time to train you properly.

    It's unfortunate that your job situation has been the equivalent of switching from the top of the range Merc to a 40 year old Robin Reliant. Your old job sounds far cushier than what most people have these days, unfortunately. And even if you managed to get a public service job (not as easy to land as some people seem to suggest), you could quite easily end up somewhere awful like Social Welfare.

    If you can at all, stick with the job and put all your energies into finding something else. You're going to have put all thoughts of landing another cushy number out of your mind but anywhere will seem better after this.


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