At what point

[mlm668]

is it the employer's responsiblity to keep its employees productively busy?



Not sure if I phrased that right or not, but the gist of it is that I have a job where I do little or nothing most days and it is driving me nuts.  I have reorganized the files, rearranged the office, asked and asked for more to do besdies making the occasional set of copies or calling for invoice copies (both of which only contribute to my bad mood because I am not using my skills for these things and slowly but surely losing them).  I've had little success.  Then yesterday, bossie #1 and I were having a conversation about work we bid this week and a big job we were looking at for next month.  The big job would provide me with an increase in my workload.  However, I was told we would probably bid it as a sub to another contractor.  By doing this the part of a job I work on (EEO and subcontractor paperwork) would not be a part of our responsiblities.



I have asked for more work several times in the past 9 months and been told that things would be picking up soon.  Other than menial task, I have been provided with nothing.  I have searched out items to work on and have completed all of those things.  I am ready to quit, but can't find anything advertised that doesn't include reception work which I really want to get away from doing as more than a back up.  





So my question is probably really this:  When does the burden become the company's responsiblity to provide me with enough productive work (productive to me means using my skills and intelligence) to keep me busy at least 75% of the time and stop expecting me to keep myself busy?

 

[execsec]

I understand your plight.  It's hard work to TRY to look busy.  And it's boring.  I've been there more than once and don't like it either.  I keep thinking there's so much stuff I could be doing at home (sewing, cleaning my house, taking my kids to practice, etc.) You have several choices: 1) leave and go to a temporary agency if you don't find a job on your own.  At least with the temp agency, if you don't like the job, you don't have to stay there but it will give you money coming in while you are looking. 2) flat out ask your boss if there are things you can be doing for him/her to free them up. Really stress how important it is for you to be busy and feel like you're accomplishing something, and working on something challenging to keep up your skills. or 3) stay where you are and be glad that you've got a job paying you for doing nothing (sssshhhhhh! don't tell anyone!).

[dragonladybug]

I've just gone thru something similar.  I had plenty of things to do, but they were all routine and/or trivial.  I felt I was wasting my skills.  I just sat down with bossie and just laid all my cards on the table and let him know that although I love my job and working for him, I needed more.  We have a really good working relationship, so I asked his assistance in finding ways to add value to my job so that I wouldn't get bored enough to leave.  We are currently redefining my job to coincide with an inter-office move that makes a good "starting point" for my additional responsibilities.  It's been a long time coming, and it's going to take a while longer to get it all sorted out, but at least I know he understands and we are actively working out a solution.  I really didn't want to leave the company, or even transfer to another department in the company, but I couldn't stand the rut I was in.  Fortunately, our business unit is large enough to offer some options, and the upcoming move is disruptive enough to cause some people not to move with us, thus creating opportunities for those who do move.  I outlined all the skills I was not using, and was afraid of losing, along with some areas of the business that interested me, and I was given the opportunity to explore some of these areas.



All I can say is, you have to decide if it's important enough for you to leave over, because putting all the cards on the table is kind of risky - many people are afraid to let management know they don't have enough work - afraid that instead of giving them more responsibility, their job might be eliminated.  I was just at the point where I didn't care what happened, I just needed something different and I was tired of pretending everything was okay.



So examine your interests and skills and make a list, then decide just how important it is to you and how far you want to pursue it, then talk with your boss again and "lay it on the line".

[elleny]

Here's another suggestion.  Have a really good talk with your boss.  I'm sure they really don't realize how bored you are.  Tell you boss very frankly (and in private) that you are not challenged enough, and that if they don't provide you with more responsibilities, you will have to start looking for something else.  



State that you have many more skills that have yet to be touched, let alone challenged.  Bring an assessment of what skills you have and give it to them because they might have forgotten.  Be pronto and let him know that if he can't give you more work to do, that you will have to leave and find a job that can utilize your skills.  I would even take a look around the office and figure out if there are some responsibilities that you could take off someone's hands and suggest them for him.



I've worked in my present position for almost two years, and when I told my boss that I wanted more responsibilities and how I would like to take my position to the next level.  He was very open about it, and more work came my way.  He had actually forgotten what I could do.  In my case, I also think that it was my age that made him not give me so much.  



But look at me now, I'm 21 yrs old.  No college education (though I'm home schooling for my administrative assistant certificate), but great skills set.  I went from receptionist to Office Manager in 6 months.  It just took initiative.



If he can't increase your responsibilities/work, then call a few temps and have them look for your dream job.  Regardless of what we think, it is OUR responsibility to take care of our job, not our boss'.  Yes he should give you more direction, but ultimately it's you who needs to direct your career.  



Well thanks for your patience.  I'll get off my soap box now.





Ellen (hmmmm, maybe I should have become a motivational speaker) in TX



 

[ssc1208]

Well, I'm there right now. I've had several meetings and sent out several e-mails about what I could be doing, and I've done all the filing, organizing, and writing out in detail what I do manuals that I can take. (I don't do much, so that didn't take long) I moved into this position in the company because I had the same problem at my last position. Is it me? I've thought about leaving too, but I don't know if I should with the economy in this state. But what if they company lays me off first since I don't do anything? I don't know what to do at this point. I know I'm not helping, but I know how you feel.

[mlm668]

The economy is a big concern of mine too.  I believe its one of the reasons the job market is so bad around here.  And even at its best, the companies around here obviously have no regard for the value of a good admin if you judge by the salaries they offer v. experience/education they are looking for.



Ellen, you hit it pretty much on the nose.  I have acquired different skills over the years and I'm scared of losing them from lack of use.  If I can't use them, what's going to happen if the time ever come that I have to look for employment elsewhere.



I am just so frustrated.  This company has been very good to me.  I love what I do, I'm appreciated because I am able to keep a veritable database of job related info in my head - all they have to do is ask about something and 98% of the time I can give them the correct info without having to look it up, I'm not hassled when I need to take time off to take care of things for my kids (being a single parent that in itself is invaluable); I could go on and on.  I understand the need for me to keep myself productive and occupied, but I have to wonder where their responsiblity kicks in to provide me with some work instead of expecting me to go looking for it all the time.  After all, they hired me to do a job they needed done.  If there is nothing to be done, why I am there??  And as for pursuing other interests - like the kids in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, I'm not interestd in anything really.  At least nothing I want to spend the rest of my life doing.



On the upside, I did talk to boss #1 this morning about my concerns over upcoming work.  He understands my frustration and asked me to try to make the best of it.  Our industry is slow in our state right now.  State DOT Funds just aren't there for new projects.  And since we are getting a new ISP and they want to build a website, I have the go ahead to learn how to do that on company time and work on that.  I also got the go ahead to pursue online learning for some of the things I'd like to check out on company time.  Who know, maybe I can find something I enjoy doing and be able to make it a success like Andrea has done with this site.    

[elleny]

MLM,



Sounds like you're doing what needs to be done.  I know that it's frustrating when your boss won't "boss" you.  But on the plus side, you now have the opportunity to learn how do design and setup a website.  I say go for it!  Maybe if you pull it off, "Webmaster" will become part of your duties.  You've basically answered your own question.  Keep your eyes and ears open for "complaints", and you do just fine.  



What do I mean by "complaints"?  When someone says, "Jeez, I sure wish I didn't have to do (fill in task or responsibility here)."  There's your opportunity.  If it sounds like something you would like to do.  Research what you need to learn and ask the bossie if you can try it on for size.  Good luck!



Ellen (I'm so glad it's Thursday) in TX