For the first half a year or so, I was able to dig my job for what it was...the pay was good, the hours were unconventional but not too energy-sapping, the co-workers were fun and the work was all stuff that I could handle.

Now, though - I don't know. It's all starting to go out of control. The whole place is starting to unravel. We have a new manager who is a ditz and a powerdrunk trogladite (the only thing worse than a tyrannical boss is an inept tyrannical boss);

about 1/4 of our staff is new and in training and is basically useless - they could at least be taught how to do the simple administrative tasks so they can help the rest of us out while they're sitting at their desks self-training, but nooooo;

we have more work coming in than we have people to do it - i had to say no to our clients for the first time last night, and it wasn't pretty. Ever say "no" to an attorney? I'd rather tell the Wu-Tang Clan to suck me than to tell an attorney they can't have something they want. After all, all the Wu-Tang Clan could do is kill me. Wasn't it Chris Rock who said that? Anyway. It's true. And since we're given precious little incentive to work overtime, the attorneys suffer;

I walk into an office every day that is utter and complete chaos. I told myself a long time ago that I'd never work at another job where they start handing me work before I even get my coat off or get to my desk. And now, here I am again ;

and finally, and this might be the most telling issue, I get the distinct feeling that people are turning to me for leadership, and I don't like it, no sir, not one bit. But people know that when things go horribly wrong, I'm gonna jump in the ring because it makes me crazy to see things going horribly wrong at work and if I can fix it, I'll fix it, because I'm freakin' OCD like that. Other people can chill and say "well, that's messed up". I'm jealous of those people. But because I give some impression of actually giving a shit, everyone just figures I'll run lead on EVERYthing. And it's gotten to a point where I can't to anything 100% anymore, because I'm expected to be doing everything.

I feel like they're turning me into a manager of my shift without giving me the regognition, title, or - most importantly - the pay.

And as such, I feel like I've really and truly jumped the shark at this job. I'd love to stay at my job and be able to rack up a few years at one workplace - I'm tired of moving around to different jobs and I would like to rack up some seniority and be settled in and all that lovely stuff; by the same token, I gotta look out for me.

I'm not sure what to do; my job environment is becoming more unhinged every day. I'm not someone who can suffer fools or humor chaos gladly. It's getting progressively worse, and transparently so. Jump ship or fix the leaks? Ugh.

Explain to your boss that you have taken on a leasdership role and expect to be treated like it. If you want to stay and put out fires, then do so, if not bail.

Stand down. I know you said you're not a manager, but you must have some level of seniority. Ask if you can stand down a level.

That's what I did at work. Bear in mind that I took a pay-cut and am now virtually constantly penniless. But I'm a lot happier.

BinaryJustin said:

Actually, I already kinda did that. They wanted me to work as the coordinator for my shift, so I tried it and didn't like it and said no thanks, and even though I'm "technically" back to my lower level position, everyone knows I'm able to do the coordinator job, so they still come to me when they need stuff. And it's getting to where the attorneys are coming to me too. It's gross.

You seem to have a bit of experience in the field you are in, maybe look around for other jobs before making a decision see what other places have to offer you.

It makes a world of difference if you see you can have it better or worse at different companies.


Good Luck

ella731 said:

thank ya. part of me thinks maybe i'm getting to the point in my life where i should start thinking about taking on more "leadershippy" kind of work, like managerial stuff or whatnot - but do i want to make that kind of a commitment to a job i really only care about because it's a paycheck? i'm still devoted to my writing and to working with second city, and that's where my heart is - i don't wanna be one of those people who get so enmeshed with their "nine-to-five" job that they abandon the stuff they're passionate about...i don't think i'd ever do that, but the idea of it scares me...and meanwhile i feel like the opportunity to make a difference at my job is staring me in the face, and that if i don't run with it, things are just going to get worse. i've never really been in a position like this before. maybe i should just start messing everything up and acting really dense. it's a tactic that's worked for me in the past!

Anxiety said:

Exactly. Don't do it, baby. Take a step back and a deep breath and remember what's most important to you.



There's an option!

Are you in the insurance business ?

Fleshofmyflesh said:

Nope. Legal.

I'm in the annuity business. My job jumps the shark every time the stock market takes a plunge.

OdysseyMiles said:

eeg. good point.

s no good advice, but...









you could always start job hunting in Mpls.

EskomoKisses said:

Stick with it. If your employers in a crunch right now, maybe they cant offer you the extra pay at this moment, but perhaps they will in a few months.

If they've got alot of other stuff going on right now, they may be overlooking the hard work youre doing, but if theyre remotely decent people, once things get back in order I dont see why they wouldnt take notice.

You taking the initiative to help out will probabbly impress them more than waiting for them to delegate the extra responsibilities to you.

I was in a similar situation a few years ago...I ended up looking furiously for another job and got the heck outta there. I'm really happy that I did it. So...if I were you I'd start looking and not leave until you find something better.

See if it is worthwhile to fix things, if not..... I would start looking if I were you.

not to get all P&R forum or anything, but part of me thinks that, depending on how next tuesday goes, i can either perhaps eventually afford to be a bit professionally fickle, or i'm going to just have to try to make the best of it and be happy i have a job.

You sound like you CAN lead, but don't want to for obviouse reasons.

My partner has the same issue. He is the only onje that can do the job while everyone else pretty much just scrambles around. They constantly change policies to accomodate the lazy. A lot of things get dumped on him because he knows what to do. It's not sustainable and causes stress. He complains a lot about it, but it's been going on for such a long time, I told him to either beat em or join em. Because the job allows so much flexibility for him, he decided to keep at it and try not to let it bother him.

Not necessarily the best solution. I have suggested he try leading, but on a broken ship, all you're leading is something sinking...far worse that being someone just on the ship, cuz you get blamed for it's failure. And he hates to lead. He just wants to keep doing his job and not deal with all of the BS.

If the ship is fixable and you are able to fix it, you should, otherwise you're going to be unhappy for a long time until something changes. There should be a clear leader leading. And if there isn't one you may have to step up or put up. And if the case is where you lead, then that HAS to be stated clearly in all respects.i.e. raise and promotion.

Good Luck.

i do know how you feel, and good on you for being able to recognize troubled waters when they're floating by.

the chaos thing sounds hardest, to me. i don't enjoy a working environment where it's like being inside a popcorn popper. but as far as the notion of you moving into a management position despite your objections i could easily see you doing that Anxiety - not that i know you personally and i'm sorry i missed my chance when you were in mpls - but on these boards you're very level headed, intelligent and a 'leader' type.

i'm not sure i'd leave a job unless i was leaving to go toward something better, instead of leaving to escape. jobs are a dying breed, unfortunately, although there may be a turnaround after the election. . .

but i'd say hang in there, if you asked my advice. i'd document my concerns and, depending on the personalities of my supervisors and their supervisors, i'd communicate some of my ideas for fixing the leaks to them. go on the record as not only being able to assess a situation but being team player enough to make a suggestion.

MUCH easier said then done and it's totally your decision because some work environment aren't 'fixable' to begin with.

anyway good luck!

ps: i learned a new phrase today "jump the shark"

Anxiety said:

a least wait till after the election lol

Anxiety said:

althom said:

suck a tailpipe