Am I settling? What's wrong with that?

[xiemoon]

I liked my job, and I liked the people I work with, but lately it's just become nearly unbearable.  I find myself being depressed about my job and having to come here everyday which isn't how I'd like to be.   I've been here over 13 years and it's gotten worse, not better. 

Honestly, I didn't want to go back into the field of work in which I started, but I'm tiring of being on this side of it too (administrative).  I have a much better job now, but I feel like I'm being dumped on more and more and not getting compensated for it.  People are leaving and not being replaced, which makes the work fall back on me sometimes.

The cost of benefits is going up, everything is more expensive.  I, like everyone else, would like to be independently wealthy so I didn't have to answer to anyone else, but that's not the case, so I feel a little stuck.  Everyone around here is miserable.  I can't think of a single person who is happy with what they are doing anymore or valuing working here.  When you're faced with complaining and bitching every single day, it doesn't make it easier to work in this environment.  It's in a constant state of turmoil and there is an uneasy feeling in the air. 

I need to move on.  As hard as that is to do, it's absolutely past time.  I haven't gotten any bites from any other jobs that I've applied for, so I guess I kind of feel like I need to take the first opportunity now.  This new job is 10 miles and 30 minutes longer than where I currently am, and with the cost of gas going up, is it worth it?  The benefits are much cheaper and better, so I suppose that might make up for it.  But it's kind of a grunt job.  I wonder how I would manage going from a constant state of flurry and commotion to a job that is more task-oriented.  Maybe that's what I need.  Something I don't have to think about much.  The sad people are affecting me.  Both clients and co-workers.  I find no relief anywhere but home...and I'm not there much since I'm working.  Of course, now that I've come to this conclusion, I'll probably not be hired for this job.  Ah, such is life.

[msp12r]

Aug. 19, 2008 at 10:19 AM

I've been working at my job for almost 9 years and it has it's ups and downs too.  Sometimes the morale is high and sometimes it's very, very low.  Do you guys ever have potlucks?  Sometimes doing small things like that will cheer people up... not everyone wants to be there, but you guys are there nonetheless... just make the best of it.  Get some of the girls together and ask if they want to bring something on a certain day.  We have potlucks every load day because that's when there are the most employees scheduled to work... you'd be surprised how many people enjoy showing off their cooking talents and nothing puts a smile on some peoples faces better than good food and a compliment!  There have been times when I feel like I'm in a rut too but at the moment I can't go to school or risk giving up my seniority so I just drag my feet to work and hope that one day I'll get out of there!

[IZs_mommy]

Aug. 19, 2008 at 10:42 AM

The potluck is a good idea.  It would be easy to plan, also.  Maybe management would help with the cost of arranging it (usually just flyers and a main dish).

Also, if you chose to stay/do not get the other job, when you next incease appraisal comes up, see what they offer you and counter them.  Whomever is giving the review will be surprised, but HR and higher up will not be.  Do not go overboard and ask for what you ACTUALLY think you should be making (becasue NO ONE pays $1M/hr and that's what we're worth), but ask for an addition 2-5% on top of what they are giving you.  The average increase is 2.3% and the average cost of living increase is just under 4%...why does thi NOT add up?  I always try for a few %s more than what I am initially told and more than half the time it has been successful.  When the time comes, you just have to be confident and explain why you feel this way.  Generally, I have started with, "this is a nice increase, but the cost of living has increased by __%" and follow with what I am asking for.  They should take it to their supervisor or HR.   GOOD LUCK =)

[mom_a_la_mode]

Aug. 20, 2008 at 12:49 PM

I'm probably the wrong person to add a comment since we're in similar boats - I just haven't been paddling in mine for 13 years. my job was the great job with the great boss in a great company - now, only a year later, it's a good job with an unpredictable boss in a great company. so... I've been keeping my eyes and ears open, too. did not get a second interview for a job with a different officer and I have a feeling my boss had some influence in that. yes, I am suggesting he would do something petty.

if you stay where you are, you could think of it as settling and if you go with the other job, you could think of it as settling, so... go with your gut. what does your intuition tell you? do that and you won't go wrong. I think the main thing is to just go with the flow so your current job doesn't drag you down and keep your options open in case an irresistible opportunity opens up. and tell your DH to hop to it and get that winning lottery ticket for you.