Hate my new job

Midlands Minnie · 20-03-2016 07:38PM

Asaiah wrote: »

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!

Well done and food for thought. Thank you.

RossieMan · 20-03-2016 07:46PM

The jobs you talk about do not exist. You need some skill now to do a job. Pressing buttons and having no stress is gone. You've done colleges courses, were they not related to the field you work in? Many people would kill to be in employment, you don't know how good you have it.

Midlands Minnie · 20-03-2016 07:52PM

RossieMan wrote: »

The jobs you talk about do not exist. You need some skill now to do a job. Pressing buttons and having no stress is gone. You've done colleges courses, were they not related to the field you work in? Many people would kill to be in employment, you don't know how good you have it.

Of course I know how lucky I am, but my main point was that the stress was affecting my mental health. Being in a job you hate and also affects your health is a major concern, especially with my history. I was just putting it out there would it be better if I temped instead or stick with it. I have taken everyting everyone has said on board especially about looking for a cushy number which someone has already mentioned as these dont exist, which is a fair point.

RossieMan · 20-03-2016 08:16PM

Talk to your management. Get the proper training for the role. Let them know how you feel. Having been in a job knowing nothing I know how you feel. I don't think anyone can like their job anymore, they are all awful.

Ursus Horribilis · 20-03-2016 08:38PM

RossieMan wrote: »

Talk to your management. Get the proper training for the role. Let them know how you feel. Having been in a job knowing nothing I know how you feel. I don't think anyone can like their job anymore, they are all awful.

That's quite a blanket statement to make, is it not? It is true that there are plenty of unpleasant jobs and grim workplaces out there. But all of them

Galwayguy35 · 20-03-2016 08:50PM

Kinda sounds like the OP was thrown in at the deep end without proper training, it's not her fault and it's up to management to help her out with this.

Management are often quite happy to ignore employees problems unless it's brought to their attention.

Superhorse · 21-03-2016 08:09AM

RossieMan wrote: »

The jobs you talk about do not exist. You need some skill now to do a job. Pressing buttons and having no stress is gone. You've done colleges courses, were they not related to the field you work in? Many people would kill to be in employment, you don't know how good you have it.

Nonsense. Plenty of people out there go into work every day and enjoy it and have no stress. I feel sorry for you if that's your outlook on work life as you must have had some bad experiences.

Wanderer78 · 21-03-2016 11:30AM

Apologies op but I've no real advise for you really. I'd be more worried about your mental well being to be honest. I do think you need to discuss this with your husband. There's nothing worse than hating your job. Best of luck with things. I'm sure your not alone

Jawgap · 21-03-2016 12:10PM

Midlands Minnie wrote: »

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.

Why?

You think the front desk of a social welfare office, working the innards of the country's tax system in Revenue or sorting out medical card care in the HSE is just a doddle?

And if you wanted to be a teacher why didn't you train to be a teacher when you took the redundancy? In fact, why not train as one now - http://hiberniacollege.com/courses/professional-diploma-in-education/

sorry, but the idea that a PS job is a cushy job is just one that grates with me.

If you want some practical advice about your predicament, I'd say give it time. As people we rarely embrace drastic change and it will take time to get used to it. In the mean time, try and find something positive about the job to focus on - the shorter commute? the people you work with? the learning new systems? whatever works for you.

The other stuff - the excessive hours, the lack of training needs to be brought to your manager's attention because if something does go seriously wrong the blame will land with you if you don't.

K_P · 21-03-2016 04:43PM

I hate to say it OP, but I wouldn't put all your hope in the prospect of temping either. What you're experiencing at the moment is the kind of rabbit-in-headlights panic that I've experienced with every new job. Temping will involve this every single day - getting used to new people, new software systems, new phone systems, new everything every single week. Or day. Or whatever.

You worked a long time in your old company so this is a huge culture shock for you. You sound like you're trying your best, but do give it time. I think you're realising that the well-paid job that's so easy you could do it in your sleep doesn't exist. This one is one you're suited enough to do that you were employed to do it in a competitive job market. Let management know that you're committed to the job but your training wasn't ideal, you would like more and feel you could do the job to the best of your ability with more training.

I'm a long long way from being career-driven or putting a job above other aspects of life. It comes a long way down my list of priorities. So of course look after your mental health but do be aware that every job you do will involve this kind of learning curve but it will get better.

Midlands Minnie · 21-03-2016 09:27PM

K_P wrote: »

I hate to say it OP, but I wouldn't put all your hope in the prospect of temping either. What you're experiencing at the moment is the kind of rabbit-in-headlights panic that I've experienced with every new job. Temping will involve this every single day - getting used to new people, new software systems, new phone systems, new everything every single week. Or day. Or whatever.

You worked a long time in your old company so this is a huge culture shock for you. You sound like you're trying your best, but do give it time. I think you're realising that the well-paid job that's so easy you could do it in your sleep doesn't exist. This one is one you're suited enough to do that you were employed to do it in a competitive job market. Let management know that you're committed to the job but your training wasn't ideal, you would like more and feel you could do the job to the best of your ability with more training.
I'm a long long way from being career-driven or putting a job above other aspects of life. It comes a long way down my list of priorities. So of course look after your mental health but do be aware that every job you do will involve this kind of learning curve but it will get better.

Thank you K_P for this, I know what everyone is saying and have to realise to give it time. I'm giving it another few months but the work is excessive and I was told today it will only get worse as the business gets bigger. This is no help to me or the other 2 girls in the office who were nearly tearing their hair out today. I came home overwhelmed and teary yet again, but at the end of the day I am doing my best and if it doesnt work out (on either side) I cant say I didnt give it my best.

Thanks again everyone for kind words and advice and also the kick up the arse I needed to put it into perspective. :-)

the_syco · 24-03-2016 02:13AM

Midlands Minnie wrote: »

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)

I read that as; one quit, and the other walked out, and they fear she won't come back. I'm guessing she's good at her job, and thus her leaving wasn't made official?

Midlands Minnie wrote: »

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.

Four weeks in isn't that much. Perhaps stay an extra half an hour each night, and read support documentation.

If this is not an option, take note of the most common questions, and ask your manager for detailed answers for them. This will show a willingness to learn, and provide you with some answers.

Midlands Minnie wrote: »

I have taken everyting everyone has said on board especially about looking for a cushy number which someone has already mentioned as these dont exist, which is a fair point.

Oh, they do exist. But it's cushy when you know what to do, and are very good at it. Take your current job, for example. You are but a few weeks at it. If you got good training, it could become cushy after a year or so. Rarely are jobs cushy from day one, except those where you are qualified for it before you began.

If you hate what you have, train for something you prefer.

eeguy · 24-03-2016 02:27AM

A job is only cushy if you're good enough to make it cushy.

You have to find a way to de-stress. Google breathing techniques and put them into practice throughout the day.

There's a lot to be gained by closing your eyes for 10 seconds and taking a deep breath
.

Midlands Minnie · 25-03-2016 11:22PM

Well have made the decision to go temping as the last couple of days were frantic with both girls freaking out at the amount of work. Last night I came home very upset, extremely stressed and I have been told that I am on my own on Tuesday morning to run the office on my own, while only being in the job 4 weeks. My stomach is in a knot at the thoughts of it. So I rang temp agency and have appointment next Friday. NO job is worth the hassle that this place is giving me with little or no training and being dropped in at the deep end at every level. All my promised training has not been mentioned and from what I've heard of the UK division, people are leaving because of the stress of additional work as well. Its not for me, I am nearly 50 years old and could do with out it.

Ursus Horribilis · 26-03-2016 12:04AM

I can't say I'm surprised to read that you're going to quit. After reading this additional information, I think you've done the right thing. You've got to wonder what's going on with this company. They're losing staff hand over fist yet there's no apparent sign of them recruiting replacements. Now I know some employers will try to get by with as few staff as they can get away with but perhaps there's something more going on here.

Good luck with the temping. Hopefully you'll find a job somewhere that'll treat its staff better and train them properly. I like to think there's a special place in hell for employers who treat their employees badly. The one thing I'd like to reiterate is the one that others have mentioned. You're unlikely to get a job as cushy as your old one so you'll need to adjust your expectations. On the other hand, after the place where you're working now, anywhere will seem cushy.

Midlands Minnie · 26-03-2016 12:15AM

All I want at the end of the day is normal job, I'm not looking for promotion or high wages, just a 9-5 and enough money to pay bills and maybe a little extra. JObs like this are killing workers with stress and emplyers seem to think its ok to treat staff like an inconvenience and pay as little as possible.

The place is also a very macho place, lots of men who think the girls in the office dont know what they are doing and get blamed for everything. I am so angry after looking forward to being employed after so much time but feel at peace that I am doing the right thing by looking for work elsewhere. I was indeed seriously spoilt in my last job but it was safe as I knew it inside out after such a long time. Anyway.. onwards and upwards.

1moo345 · 01-04-2016 08:41PM

Unforunately, I have been in your position.

Brought into a position with a lot of people leaving, and they need to train you as quick as possible to make up for the people they have lost. With phones ringing all day, you may get to watch someone do something once and then you're on your own. Any specific queries or situations you haven't yet seen dealt with, you're on your own, because it is so busy that anyone to ask for help is also on calls.

It was hell. I was interviewed for position A and after three days we were brought in and told we aren't hiring for that position anymore, but you can do position B instead or leave today.

Most people left. I was stupid and stayed, which resulted in leaving three months later.

These days, so many people are treated badly and leave their jobs, leaving a gap for employers to fill. You're then rushed through training, without having an idea what to do, and messing it up, causing criticism from superiors and eventually you hate it and want to leave. And the cycle starts again.

I don't know what, or why, it happens - but employers these days seriously need to up their game in regards to treating employees properly. At the end of the day, the company loses out.

In my current job I have been there very little time (six months) got a promotion within three months, and barely got the hang of the original position. I expressed my concerns at this, and they were so in need of people it went ahead anyway, no matter what I said. Now, anything I don't quite get or silly mistakes, it is the end of the world. There is only so much self education you can do, what's the point in employing people without being able to put the time needed into them?

the_syco · 02-04-2016 03:47PM

1moo345 wrote: »

These days, so many people are treated badly and leave their jobs, leaving a gap for employers to fill. You're then rushed through training, without having an idea what to do, and messing it up, causing criticism from superiors and eventually you hate it and want to leave. And the cycle starts again.

This. If experienced agents/coaches leave, the gap in experience affects any new joiners. By the time the company gets a new person in, the previous person has left, and/or the previous person doesn't know what training to give to the new person. As you mentioned, they may shadow the person on the phone, but without knowing the process behind the knowledge, there'll be gaps in said knowledge.

And thus begins the spiral down. OP; best of luck with the temping. I'd advise you to look at the job you used, what buzzwords would describe it, and see if these help you find a more suitable role?

Elemonator · 02-04-2016 04:07PM

Unfortunately OP if you want to get ahead, you have to work hard. These no stress 9-5 jobs don't exist anymore. I have been blessed financially (thank god) but if you want to get to the top, you have to put into it what you want out of it. You should stay in the job imo, you have been a few years out and need the experience. Your old job was probably the same and you have just forgotten what the work environment is like. You also need to resolve the 2 mortgages and that should motivate you. Give yourself and the job a chance. Best of luck.

Eugene Norman · 02-04-2016 04:15PM

Elemonator wrote: »

Unfortunately OP if you want to get ahead, you have to work hard. These no stress 9-5 jobs don't exist anymore. I have been blessed financially (thank god) but if you want to get to the top, you have to put into it what you want out of it. You should stay in the job imo, you have been a few years out and need the experience. Your old job was probably the same and you have just forgotten what the work environment is like. You also need to resolve the 2 mortgages and that should motivate you. Give yourself and the job a chance. Best of luck.

If you've been blessed financially then you don't have the experience to understand or comment on the ops position.

She shouldn't sacrifice her health for some money, and there are probably jobs out there to suit - irelands "booming" after all.

dollyk · 02-04-2016 06:46PM

I was in a very stressful job " self employed" for many years.
I gave it up , had no training as i had done the same job since i left school.
At 40 12 years ago I got a job as a cashier, and LOVE LOVE IT.
Its not for everyone, I had no plans on climbing the ladder.
I have never been so happy going to work in all of my life.
I downsized, paid the main big bills, cleared what loans i had over the years.
now I feel life is for me anyway more calm and happy.
Ill never be rich, but having me time, and family time has been so worth it.
Good luck op.

PMBC · 02-04-2016 07:46PM

dollyk wrote: »

I was in a very stressful job " self employed" for many years.
I gave it up , had no training as i had done the same job since i left school.
At 40 12 years ago I got a job as a cashier, and LOVE LOVE IT.
Its not for everyone, I had no plans on climbing the ladder.
I have never been so happy going to work in all of my life.
I downsized, paid the main big bills, cleared what loans i had over the years.
now I feel life is for me anyway more calm and happy.
Ill never be rich, but having me time, and family time has been so worth it.
Good luck op.

You are rich - happy and healthy/stress free. Good luck, you made the right choice.

Wanderer2010 · 03-04-2016 11:35AM

Elemonator wrote: »

Unfortunately OP if you want to get ahead, you have to work hard. These no stress 9-5 jobs don't exist anymore. I have been blessed financially (thank god) but if you want to get to the top, you have to put into it what you want out of it. You should stay in the job imo, you have been a few years out and need the experience. Your old job was probably the same and you have just forgotten what the work environment is like. You also need to resove the 2 mortgages and that should motivate you. Give yourself and the job a chance. Best of luck.

Did you read the OP? They don't WANT to get to the top, just to have a normal job to come in, do it to the best of their ability and then leave at the allotted time. Of course there are jobs that are just 9-5, plenty of them exist. Yes, no job is stress free but the best job for the OP is one which uses their experience without adding more stress. And what is the big attraction of getting "to the top"? 12 hour days? No time for your friends or family? Weekends at the desk? That's not the life for everyone, plenty of people are just worker bees who come in, do the job well and go home again.

Midlands Minnie · 03-04-2016 04:41PM

dollyk wrote: »

I was in a very stressful job " self employed" for many years.
I gave it up , had no training as i had done the same job since i left school.
At 40 12 years ago I got a job as a cashier, and LOVE LOVE IT.
Its not for everyone, I had no plans on climbing the ladder.
I have never been so happy going to work in all of my life.
I downsized, paid the main big bills, cleared what loans i had over the years.
now I feel life is for me anyway more calm and happy.
Ill never be rich, but having me time, and family time has been so worth it.
Good luck op.

Yes yes yes!!! This is what I want Dolly. Thank you! I have been mulling this over in my mind and office work is just not for me anymore. I cant be having this dread every Sunday and staying up as late as possible to drag the time out. I was thinking of cashier work and I know its not for everyone but its fairly stress free, I am friendly, good humoured and work hard. Thanks for this, I really needed to hear some sort of positive.

Midlands Minnie · 03-04-2016 10:40PM

1moo345 wrote: »

Unforunately, I have been in your position.

Brought into a position with a lot of people leaving, and they need to train you as quick as possible to make up for the people they have lost. With phones ringing all day, you may get to watch someone do something once and then you're on your own. Any specific queries or situations you haven't yet seen dealt with, you're on your own, because it is so busy that anyone to ask for help is also on calls.

It was hell. I was interviewed for position A and after three days we were brought in and told we aren't hiring for that position anymore, but you can do position B instead or leave today.

Most people left. I was stupid and stayed, which resulted in leaving three months later.

These days, so many people are treated badly and leave their jobs, leaving a gap for employers to fill. You're then rushed through training, without having an idea what to do, and messing it up, causing criticism from superiors and eventually you hate it and want to leave. And the cycle starts again.

I don't know what, or why, it happens - but employers these days seriously need to up their game in regards to treating employees properly. At the end of the day, the company loses out.

In my current job I have been there very little time (six months) got a promotion within three months, and barely got the hang of the original position. I expressed my concerns at this, and they were so in need of people it went ahead anyway, no matter what I said. Now, anything I don't quite get or silly mistakes, it is the end of the world. There is only so much self education you can do, what's the point in employing people without being able to put the time needed into them?

This is exactly my situation, its the end of the world if a mistake is made and because both of the girls in the office are way younger than me, I feel like an idiot which I am most certainly not. My mental health is way more important to me that staying in a job I hate. I have taken Dolly's advice and going to be a little worker bee and do tills. Not everyone is made for managment so this is the route I am going. I honestly hope you can find something else as well because you only have one life and I am not spending the rest of mine doing this. The very best of luck to you.

dollyk · 04-04-2016 08:24PM

Midlands Minnie wrote: »

Yes yes yes!!! This is what I want Dolly. Thank you! I have been mulling this over in my mind and office work is just not for me anymore. I cant be having this dread every Sunday and staying up as late as possible to drag the time out. I was thinking of cashier work and I know its not for everyone but its fairly stress free, I am friendly, good humoured and work hard. Thanks for this, I really needed to hear some sort of positive.

Im not sure if it was my age, but to just go in every morning
and not panic over the things I see my bosses stressed over is good for me.
I dont have my fancy car lol, I dont eat out often, I dont do any of the "great"
things I used to do, ok so sometimes we are under pressure, but nothing I cant handle. I now do things at 52 that I never even dreamed of doing, Like on my half day if its nice out I take my daughter out after school, go to the park
sit under a tree and read a book ha ha I must come across ad a bit deranged
But this is what living is about, life sure did begin at 40 for me.
I also lost my value for material things

I have a 20 hour contract, but if I want to go on holidays, or have something that will cost extra,
They let us have extra hours if they are available. So I can do 2 -10 hour days
Or sometimes 4 -5 hour shifts. They are fairly flexible where I work

Midlands Minnie · 04-04-2016 11:55PM

dollyk wrote: »

Im not sure if it was my age, but to just go in every morning
and not panic over the things I see my bosses stressed over is good for me.
I dont have my fancy car lol, I dont eat out often, I dont do any of the "great"
things I used to do, ok so sometimes we are under pressure, but nothing I cant handle. I now do things at 52 that I never even dreamed of doing, Like on my half day if its nice out I take my daughter out after school, go to the park
sit under a tree and read a book ha ha I must come across ad a bit deranged
But this is what living is about, life sure did begin at 40 for me.
I also lost my value for material things

I have a 20 hour contract, but if I want to go on holidays, or have something that will cost extra,
They let us have extra hours if they are available. So I can do 2 -10 hour days
Or sometimes 4 -5 hour shifts. They are fairly flexible where I work

That is brilliant news. Well done for makng the decision. I am going to keep going until I get something similiar, my local supermarkets are near and I got their often so fingers crossed. Thank you again and yes age does factor in what I want in the future, I will be 50 in 2 years. :-)

SAMTALK · 05-04-2016 03:44PM

Midlands Minnie wrote: »

That is brilliant news. Well done for makng the decision. I am going to keep going until I get something similiar, my local supermarkets are near and I got their often so fingers crossed. Thank you again and yes age does factor in what I want in the future, I will be 50 in 2 years. :-)

OP I was out of the work force for 20 years and only went back last year and boy what a change for me

It took me a long time to settle into the routine and technology has advanced so much

The first few months were so hard and I thought of quitting frequently but I stuck it out and have settled well and am glad I went for it

Mrs OBumble · 05-04-2016 05:24PM

Midlands Minnie wrote: »

I was thinking of cashier work and I know its not for everyone but its fairly stress free,

Just be careful: as the retail sector moves more and more towards self-service, the demand for cashiers will go down. There will always be some - but my local Tesco generally has one person supervising 8-12 self-service booths: on their feet all day, continually juggling requests for help from multiple customers.

Midlands Minnie · 24-05-2016 12:43PM

Hi just an update on what is happening in the job and your comments would be very helpful in me making the final decision to quit. I stuck it out and I will be honest I am glad I did as they sent me to the UK twice for Training but the set up over there is so far removed from what we have to do, its polar opposite. I am still very stressed and as I am getting into the routine, I am making mistakes or forgetting small details which my manager makes me feel very bad about. Last Friday I burst into tears in the middle of the office with the nitpicking and the stress of it all so have contacted HR in the UK to get some feedback and I will ask to talk to my regional manager when he comes into the office tis week, he wants me to be happy in my job and has made the point several times that I am to take it easy and go at my own pace but the girl I work with and the Manager are whizzes and get everything done so quickly and I just cant keep up. I am on 25K for a huge amount of work and really its not worth it. Nothing on the system is worded for the day to day useage and there are thousands of codes which we are supposed to know. Does anyone else have a similar experience?

Hate my new job

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