Working From Home. Torture

[Woodrow Wilson]

PCoulson said:

I'm in much of the same position.

Remind yourself of the positives:

Saving cash until this all blows over.
You don't have to listen Sharon in accounts talking about how amazing her holiday was or her new diet.
You can sit in your pants all day (be careful if doing Teams meetings).
No need to iron shirts.
You never miss a parcel delivery and you are on first name terms with the Amazon driver (be careful about your pants).
You don't have to share a toilet with Geoff from sales who pisses on the seat.
You are an eco warrior - deodorant is killing the planet.

All very good points

If only I'd chosen my home to be somewhere next to a mountain range....

[Woodrow Wilson]

lyonspride said:

Keep the job, use the money to do what you love in your spare time, and who knows, maybe it'll turn a profit......

My interests cost me money. I'm an outdoorsy, pseudo-gentleman, amateur jack of all trades (a poor man's polymath). Maybe had a major war broken out when I was younger I could have joined SOE or the LRDG?

lyonspride said:

The whole "career" thing is a lie, "find a job your passionate about" is a lie, most people will NEVER achieve this whilst working for someone else.

Possibly so, but many people do appear to be able to knuckle down and derive satisfaction from the most banal and tedious of tasks, including checking long lists of details or drawings. Not me.

[Woodrow Wilson]

TrackDays29 said:

I'd be happy to have a job. Lost mine back in March, ruined by Lockdown. No chance of work any time soon, and I am quite literally crawling the walls.

Really struggling with anxiety/depression at the moment, and I've noticed myself losing interest in the things I used to enjoy. Hate to admit that I might have to get some help.

All the best to anyone else feeling the same.

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you do find something soon.

[Fishlegs]

Or.... is now the best time ever for a change?

If you're working from home, have your costs reduced?

If they have reduced, can you afford to take a pay cut to go do something you enjoy without being too much out of pocket at the end of the month?

This is exactly what I've done, and it's great! Stuck in a management role for far too long, I'd lost all technical credibility on my CV. I'd have to take a big pay cut to get back on the tools. So... I did! No more MS Project. No more HR issues to deal with. No more bullst. I get to do what I love again, and I won't lose the roof over my head.

So, 4 weeks from now I'll have worked my notice and I'll be starting a brand new job. This horrible economic climate is either a threat or an opportunity, depending on what you make of it.

You have access to more jobs, because everyone is working from home, so it doesn't matter where you are. Search nationally.
You can take a pay cut to compensate for a change in role and the obvious lack of experience that comes with the new role.
You might not actually be much worse off if you don't have to pay for commuting/lunches/childcare or whatever applies to your own situation.

[fastraxx]

Fishlegs said:

it.

You have access to more jobs, because everyone is working from home, so it doesn't matter where you are. Search nationally.

I love your optimism but the range of jobs available for many I believe are minimal since there are thousands of people going after the same jobs.

[Woodrow Wilson]

Fishlegs said:

Or.... is now the best time ever for a change?

If you're working from home, have your costs reduced?

If they have reduced, can you afford to take a pay cut to go do something you enjoy without being too much out of pocket at the end of the month?

This is exactly what I've done, and it's great! Stuck in a management role for far too long, I'd lost all technical credibility on my CV. I'd have to take a big pay cut to get back on the tools. So... I did! No more MS Project. No more HR issues to deal with. No more bullst. I get to do what I love again, and I won't lose the roof over my head.

So, 4 weeks from now I'll have worked my notice and I'll be starting a brand new job. This horrible economic climate is either a threat or an opportunity, depending on what you make of it.

You have access to more jobs, because everyone is working from home, so it doesn't matter where you are. Search nationally.
You can take a pay cut to compensate for a change in role and the obvious lack of experience that comes with the new role.
You might not actually be much worse off if you don't have to pay for commuting/lunches/childcare or whatever applies to your own situation.

If you work in desk-based IT/engineering and the 1000s of other people looking don't get it first, you too could find another working from home job that you don't want.

[Moominho]

Woodrow Wilson said:

The work, the isolation or both?

All of it. The whole shebang. Work is tedious, but I'm good at it. It pays well, but not enough to motivate me as much as it should do. The isolation is what is really affecting me. Being at home, with the missus isn't enough. The grass is always greener, eh?

[Pieman68]

OP - maybe worth looking at some sort of plan so that you have an end goal

Personally - daughter has turned 18 and had recently left education. She has a job already so is in a position to start paying board to her mum

This leaves me in a position where I will not be paying £240 per month in maintenance

That £240 will be used to pay other debts off over the next 18 months - which as they are paid will then free up additional funds, meaning an additional £500 per month by that point (phone going on SIM only in Feb £30 per month, credit and store cards paid off in full)

At that point we are going to look at a mortgage to buy our property on right to buy scheme - mortgage payments would be around the figure above, but saving the rent that we currently pay so still in front but with a property with equity after 5 years.

That leaves me in a position where I can maybe look in a couple of years at taking a cut to do something more enjoyable/rewarding

[Foliage]

What do you do? and at what level

Their are a few job where you could learn for from yourself, mate of mine was a barista and door work and other random st, started studying programming from youtube and books and stuff, 5-6 years later he is a team leader making software and running a team of programmers

He did a stint part time at uni but sacked it off.

[PurpleTurtle]

EarlofDrift said:

I know someone works in finance and has been working from home since April, they said it's ten time worse than being in an office. The boss is a cock, they are supposed to work together as a team but he's demanding they do this project then when they phone he's off to the golf course.

I think what is driving people mad is that they are almost tied to their home office/desk and the employer expects them to almost work into the night, the work/ life balance has gone. If your single and have no kids then it's far worse.

[b]Everyone knows that in employment having children is like having a gold plated Uzi.

Just pull it out and wave it around when you want away early, want a day off, pull a sickie, going on holiday the next day etc etc. I worked with a guy who took the absolute pee, every week his kid had a toothache, tummy ache. When you ask about it the next week he almost forgot, because it was all a pack of lies[/b]

Eh? What are you smoking?

Many people with kids are doing jobs they don't necessarily enjoy but it pays sufficiently well to support their family.

Want to pop off on a foreign holiday? Sure, it'll cost you a fortune in school holidays! All your leave taken up looking after your kids? ... sign up here!

Fancy that Ferriari? Sorry chum, it's the used VW Touran for you my friend, and not the one with a decent bit of poke!

Yes, I know those of us with rug rats choose to have them and choose to make all the related compromises in life that goes with it but to suggest that having kids somehow gets you an easy ride through life is utterly bizarre!

Edited by PurpleTurtle on Thursday 24th September 12:29

[fastraxx]

PurpleTurtle said:

Eh? What are you smoking?

Many people with kids are doing jobs they don't necessarily enjoy but it pays sufficiently well to support their family.

Want to pop off on a foreign holiday? Sure, it'll cost you a fortune in school holidays! All your leave taken up looking after your kids? ... sign up here!

Fancy that Ferriari? Sorry chum, it's the used VW Touran for you my friend, and not the one with a decent bit of poke!

Yes, I know those of us with rug rats choose to have them and choose to make all the related compromises in life that goes with it but to suggest that having kids somehow gets you an easy ride through life is utterly bizarre!

Edited by PurpleTurtle on Thursday 24th September 12:29

I don't think he is suggesting that having kids is easy, I am sure it is not but that is a decision parents take so I have little sympathy for their whining. What it does seem to be is a wonderful excuse for almost anything for some piss takers in the workplace, especially as workplaces become more 'accommodating'.

[EarlofDrift]

fastraxx said:

PurpleTurtle said:

Eh? What are you smoking?

Many people with kids are doing jobs they don't necessarily enjoy but it pays sufficiently well to support their family.

Want to pop off on a foreign holiday? Sure, it'll cost you a fortune in school holidays! All your leave taken up looking after your kids? ... sign up here!

Fancy that Ferriari? Sorry chum, it's the used VW Touran for you my friend, and not the one with a decent bit of poke!

Yes, I know those of us with rug rats choose to have them and choose to make all the related compromises in life that goes with it but to suggest that having kids somehow gets you an easy ride through life is utterly bizarre!

Edited by PurpleTurtle on Thursday 24th September 12:29

I don't think he is suggesting that having kids is easy, I am sure it is not but that is a decision parents take so I have little sympathy for their whining. What it does seem to be is a wonderful excuse for almost anything for some piss takers in the workplace, especially as workplaces become more 'accommodating'.

I wasn't suggesting that at all, I'm saying it's the 'go to' excuse. No employer is going to get into a situation were they are accusing an employee of faking a their Childs illness. It would come back to bite them big time if the employee takes a grievance at a later date.

[PurpleTurtle]

EarlofDrift said:

fastraxx said:

PurpleTurtle said:

Eh? What are you smoking?

Many people with kids are doing jobs they don't necessarily enjoy but it pays sufficiently well to support their family.

Want to pop off on a foreign holiday? Sure, it'll cost you a fortune in school holidays! All your leave taken up looking after your kids? ... sign up here!

Fancy that Ferriari? Sorry chum, it's the used VW Touran for you my friend, and not the one with a decent bit of poke!

Yes, I know those of us with rug rats choose to have them and choose to make all the related compromises in life that goes with it but to suggest that having kids somehow gets you an easy ride through life is utterly bizarre!

Edited by PurpleTurtle on Thursday 24th September 12:29

I don't think he is suggesting that having kids is easy, I am sure it is not but that is a decision parents take so I have little sympathy for their whining. What it does seem to be is a wonderful excuse for almost anything for some piss takers in the workplace, especially as workplaces become more 'accommodating'.

I wasn't suggesting that at all, I'm saying it's the 'go to' excuse. No employer is going to get into a situation were they are accusing an employee of faking a their Childs illness. It would come back to bite them big time if the employee takes a grievance at a later date.

Dunno, but I've been with a fairly big global organisation for over two decades and have seen countless working parents come and go, none of whom have ever been viewed to be taking the piss vis-a-vis looking after their kids.

Then again for the last five years we have embraced flexible working, which everybody loves. I put a late shift in at the laptop last night to meet some project deadlines, so consequently I'm just about to Foxtrot Oscar home because it's just after 1pm on Poet's Day!

[Captain Raymond Holt]

lyonspride said:

The whole "career" thing is a lie, "find a job your passionate about" is a lie, most people will NEVER achieve this whilst working for someone else.

Edited by lyonspride on Thursday 24th September 00:43

I think it needs the stars to align, I have had 2 careers I left the first because it lost its interest, didn’t pay that well and the work/benefits didn’t really make me want to stick at it for 40 years.

Then I found a role by chance 13 years ago that I liked and went from there, fortunately has the holy trinity of: I like it, I’m good at it, it pays well.

If I had stuck in the first career I’d probably hate it by now, I’d be very much in demand at the moment though

[lyonspride]

Captain Raymond Holt said:

lyonspride said:

The whole "career" thing is a lie, "find a job your passionate about" is a lie, most people will NEVER achieve this whilst working for someone else.

Edited by lyonspride on Thursday 24th September 00:43

I think it needs the stars to align, I have had 2 careers I left the first because it lost its interest, didn’t pay that well and the work/benefits didn’t really make me want to stick at it for 40 years.

Then I found a role by chance 13 years ago that I liked and went from there, fortunately has the holy trinity of: I like it, I’m good at it, it pays well.

If I had stuck in the first career I’d probably hate it by now, I’d be very much in demand at the moment though

I just think it's a sad state of affairs when people waste their prime years chasing this elusive "career", only to get kicked down, sacked or made redundant, then it's rinse/repeat and suddenly they're in their 50's wondering what happened.

A friend of mine, his father was a parts manager at a dealership in his 40's, he thought he was on his way up the ladder, but after 10 years he realised he'd have to move to get that promotion, he moved to another vehicle dealership close to home, same role, they took everything they could get (knowledge/experience etc) and then let him go, he went to another dealership and they did the same thing, then in his 50's and around 3 years unemployed he opened a market stall and started selling collectibles (a hobby of his), 2 years later he's got 3 shops, several staff, and he's not doing too badly.

[T1547]

lyonspride said:

I just think it's a sad state of affairs when people waste their prime years chasing this elusive "career", only to get kicked down, sacked or made redundant, then it's rinse/repeat and suddenly they're in their 50's wondering what happened.

A friend of mine, his father was a parts manager at a dealership in his 40's, he thought he was on his way up the ladder, but after 10 years he realised he'd have to move to get that promotion, he moved to another vehicle dealership close to home, same role, they took everything they could get (knowledge/experience etc) and then let him go, he went to another dealership and they did the same thing, then in his 50's and around 3 years unemployed he opened a market stall and started selling collectibles (a hobby of his), 2 years later he's got 3 shops, several staff, and he's not doing too badly.

What is the next step up the ladder for a Parts Manager?

Kind of seems like, if not a dead end job, a job with limited opportunities. No disrespect to any Parts Managers intended, just genuinely interested what bigger career path lies ahead from that role.

[anonymous-user]

I have mentioned in a couple of threads that I would much rather be back in offices again.

I understand where you are coming from.

[lyonspride]

T1547 said:

lyonspride said:

I just think it's a sad state of affairs when people waste their prime years chasing this elusive "career", only to get kicked down, sacked or made redundant, then it's rinse/repeat and suddenly they're in their 50's wondering what happened.

A friend of mine, his father was a parts manager at a dealership in his 40's, he thought he was on his way up the ladder, but after 10 years he realised he'd have to move to get that promotion, he moved to another vehicle dealership close to home, same role, they took everything they could get (knowledge/experience etc) and then let him go, he went to another dealership and they did the same thing, then in his 50's and around 3 years unemployed he opened a market stall and started selling collectibles (a hobby of his), 2 years later he's got 3 shops, several staff, and he's not doing too badly.

What is the next step up the ladder for a Parts Manager?

Kind of seems like, if not a dead end job, a job with limited opportunities. No disrespect to any Parts Managers intended, just genuinely interested what bigger career path lies ahead from that role.

Well it does make you wonder, he was basically going nowhere, he wasn't going to go any higher in the dealership because those positions are always filled by salesmen, so he was stuck with the same old pay, driving 2 hours to work and 2 hours back each day.

[lyonspride]

Lord Marylebone said:

I have mentioned in a couple of threads that I would much rather be back in offices again.

I understand where you are coming from.

Truth, I hated office work, but it's very easy money compared to what other people do on the same wage, and in most companies you're treated like you're invaluable.

Worked in a big automotive component plant, the maintenance guys did continental shifts, running around a factory the size of a football pitch, carrying out often dangerous work on 3 phase equipment/machinery, getting 18k plus a small shift allowance, whilst the basic/general office staff were earning 22k and honestly did next to nothing all day.

[85Carrera]

Woodrow Wilson said:

I'm an outdoorsy, pseudo-gentleman, amateur jack of all trades (a poor man's polymath). Maybe had a major war broken out when I was younger I could have joined SOE or the LRDG.

If you’re half the pseudo-polymath you claim to be, you should have plenty of interests to occupy your time; if you’re not, bad luck. I’ve got a very tedious role at the moment on st money (well below my usual rate, but fortunately it looks like I can dump it soon for something both more interesting and more lucrative) but it’s that or nothing (for now) and I’ve got got lots of car and garden projects done, cycled and run loads and read a load of books, so I do the needful, then do what I want. I don’t lose time and money to commuting so what’s not to like?

As for joining the SOE, etc if you can’t hack a bit of working from home, I suspect you would have been more use in the Wrens than on the front line, but we can all dream, eh?