Do you love or hate your job?

[Spider-Who?]

Is it possible to have a job you love?

Let's put it this way: My commute is 2 hours, one way. I over slept this morning, so instead of freaking out and rushing around or wasting a sick day, I just emailed my boss and said I was working from home.

 

[kal-el1990]

So here's the deal guys, I need some major advice!!

I've been in my current job for about 6 months and I hate it with a passion. So much so that it's making me feel really bad every day!
I wake up and feel sick at the the thought of going in and I go to bed dreading the thought of getting up and going in again in the morning.
I'm a lot more moody and snappy to people close to me as well. Not to the point where I'm just an a$$hole but just a lot more moody than before.
Some the people I work with also don't help. They are constantly insulting my work and making jokes towards me. It's not just towards me but the way I feel, I take it more personally than I maybe should!
The hours are long (and they seem even longer as I hate every minute!) and I'm often forced to stay on in the evenings.

The annoying thing is that this job was supposed to be the job that was my future, my career but its simply not worked out that way!

Other than the job my life is pretty good! I've got an amazing girlfriend who would do anything for me and vise versa, a great family and good friends but I just cant seem to put the job to the back of my mind and stay positive.

So my question is, do you thing it would be an idea to see a doctor and ask for stress related leave? I hate the thought of doing it but maybe a few weeks away from it all could help! At least it would give me more time to job hunt (not that I haven't been applying for jobs left right and centre already!)

I actually have an interview tomorrow so if something comes of that then I'll be hunkydory but I'm worried that it won't. I just can't keep doing this job day in day out.

So there's my story, and like I said......ADVICE PLEASE!!!

 

[hopefuldreamer]

So here's the deal guys, I need some major advice!!

I've been in my current job for about 6 months and I hate it with a passion. So much so that it's making me feel really bad every day!
I wake up and feel sick at the the thought of going in and I go to bed dreading the thought of getting up and going in again in the morning.
I'm a lot more moody and snappy to people close to me as well. Not to the point where I'm just an a$$hole but just a lot more moody than before.
Some the people I work with also don't help. They are constantly insulting my work and making jokes towards me. It's not just towards me but the way I feel, I take it more personally than I maybe should!
The hours are long (and they seem even longer as I hate every minute!) and I'm often forced to stay on in the evenings.

The annoying thing is that this job was supposed to be the job that was my future, my career but its simply not worked out that way!

Other than the job my life is pretty good! I've got an amazing girlfriend who would do anything for me and vise versa, a great family and good friends but I just cant seem to put the job to the back of my mind and stay positive.

So my question is, do you thing it would be an idea to see a doctor and ask for stress related leave? I hate the thought of doing it but maybe a few weeks away from it all could help! At least it would give me more time to job hunt (not that I haven't been applying for jobs left right and centre already!)

I actually have an interview tomorrow so if something comes of that then I'll be hunkydory but I'm worried that it won't. I just can't keep doing this job day in day out.

So there's my story, and like I said......ADVICE PLEASE!!!

It depends on how your stress related leave would be received by your bosses and workmates.

Last year, I had a breakdown because of my job combined with a really awful living situation. I was offered a 2 week doctors note for stress, but I knew I couldn't do it and go back... Because half the reason I was so upset was from bullying at the office I was in. This big ***** was seriously obsessed with picking on me.

So I knew if I took 2 weeks of for stress, it'd get even worse. My bosses wouldn't respect it, and my work mates would be *****ing about it for ages.

If you think you can do it and nothing bad will come from, I'd say do it. Especially if your planning on leaving anyway.

But if your stuck there, 2 weeks off isn't gonna help. It could even make it worse.

 

[kal-el1990]

It depends on how your stress related leave would be received by your bosses and workmates.

Last year, I had a breakdown because of my job combined with a really awful living situation. I was offered a 2 week doctors note for stress, but I knew I couldn't do it and go back... Because half the reason I was so upset was from bullying at the office I was in. This big ***** was seriously obsessed with picking on me.

So I knew if I took 2 weeks of for stress, it'd get even worse. My bosses wouldn't respect it, and my work mates would be *****ing about it for ages.

If you think you can do it and nothing bad will come from, I'd say do it. Especially if your planning on leaving anyway.

But if your stuck there, 2 weeks off isn't gonna help. It could even make it worse.

Yeah I see your point! It wouldnt be at all respected by my boss or workmates, like you said they would ridicule it I expect!

But then if I'm leaving (when I don't know but I damn sure will be) then maybe I could!

The problem is that after the time off I still would have to go back! It's just a pain in the a$$.

Are you in a better situation at work? Or are you still being picked on etc?

 

[uniqueweasel]

I think there is in the UK.

Yeah your right, here in the UK you can't specifically get a 'bad' reference but they wouldn't give you a 'good' one. They play it sort of neutral, because it can be classed as slander if they are too negative, I think!

 

[Lily Adler]

I love my current job because it's in a field of work I'm legitimately interested in. The last crappy job I had was working as a librarian at my local library. Never again...

 

[hopefuldreamer]

Yeah I see your point! It wouldnt be at all respected by my boss or workmates, like you said they would ridicule it I expect!

But then if I'm leaving (when I don't know but I damn sure will be) then maybe I could!

The problem is that after the time off I still would have to go back! It's just a pain in the a$$.

Are you in a better situation at work? Or are you still being picked on etc?

I was in a really bad place for a long time (wanted to kill myself every day), but I NEVER dob people in for bullying... I always just ignore it/pretend it's fine. And it was just one issue. Once I'd sorted out my living situtation, had some councilling and stuff about other issues, I worked through it. And eventually they were dobbed in by another girl who was much more open to reporting it... At this point, they actually started kissing my arse for never saying anything and it got good.

It was soon after I was transferred to another office. Which sounds good, but see my full explanation for why it actually still ended up worse

I intend to leave too. Problem is, it never happens as soon as you like.

When my doctors/councillors told me I needed to take 2 weeks off I explained it simply too them - it was either quitting completely or sticking it out.

I personally wouldn't recommend it if you have to go back and deal with their judgement. Cause you just don't know how long your going to be stuck there

 

[Megarob]

I love my job. I am a Youth Pastor and I seriously love it.

 

[BillPardy]

I was a professional window washer for 5 years, but am currently laid off for the winter months. I'll soon be moving to Toronto though, and I'll need to find a new job.

I'm terrified. I've gotten so used to window washing. I'm worried that I'll hate not working 12 hour days, 5 days a week. I'm worried I'll be bored, and I hate not working every day from dawn to dusk.

I've considered window washing in T.O. The money would be insanely good. But after 5 years of close calls involving heights, I've decided its not worth it.

I don't know what I'm going to do. But I currently hate my hypothetical job.

 

[Anita18]

It really is a double edged sword. I will try to explain why...

But firstly I will dispel the myth of "you are your own boss"
You are not, each and every one of your clients is your boss. Because if you do not do what they say, you will not keep them as a client.

In fact, I have promised myself that the next person who says to me "It must be great to not have a boss breathing down your neck." I will punch them in the throat.


Onto the good things

• You decide how the business operates
• No one else makes decisions for you
• You can choose how long you work
• You want a break, you take it
• Need a day off at short notice, no problem

Onto the bad things

• No one else makes decisions for you (yes I mean it to be in both places)
• You are responsible for all of your own invoicing, book-keeping, income tax and VAT (I spend almost as much time on paperwork as I do working)
• If you are a "one man band" then being ill is not an option, unless you really can't get out of bed without falling over.
• There is always in the back of your mind a "fear" of not making enough money to live on, losing existing clients, getting new clients (unless that's just me of course)

I am not trying to put you off, far from it. This particular venture has been the most exciting work related thing I have ever done and I am proud to be coming up for my third year in business.

But it is not easy and it is certainly not for the faint hearted.
To be honest, I sometimes wonder how in the world I ever had the gumption to start it all up in the first place. t:

Thanks for the tips Deathlok! I'm aiming to change careers but I'm not sure whether I'll work in-house or freelance for a bit to test the waters. An internship probably wouldn't be a bad idea either, to get my foot in the door.

It makes me feel terrible sometimes to tell people I'm changing careers, since I currently work in a lab doing cancer research. And I want to switch to graphic design, although definitely with an information/education slant. Because I'm not helping enough people fast enough here. My job is actually very cool and I have a really awesome boss and equally awesome coworkers, but I feel like I'm already mentally checked out of what we're doing. I mean, when we're three levels deep of a biological process nitpicking over which protein interacts with the protein that interacts with the protein that interacts with the structure next to the DNA break....yeah my brain has shut down. I feel like I'd be doing them a disservice if I stay and start to REALLY check out.

My boss is so awesome that he's letting me take design classes part-time. He really doesn't need to do that since it's not science-related, and many lab bosses are slavedrivers who insist on people staying until midnight every day and through weekends, etc...Yeah I really lucked out!

As for quitting a job you really really REALLY hate...if you have money in the bank, do it. The stress isn't worth the additional money you'd be getting by staying.

 

[humbdrumb]

I'm a minimum wage food service slave. The **** do you think?

 

[hopefuldreamer]

Yeah, quitting isn't always an option until you have another job on the cards.

All my friends have it so easy in terms of work tho, I'm the only one who has to struggle.

My best friend is out in egypt while her husband is studying and they are living off his student loan. She doesn't work.

My other best friend is on a cocktail of valium and anti-depressents (among other things) and considered mentally disabled so he gets good benefits.

My old housemate was in an accident that broke his neck and got a massive payout. He hasn't had to work for years and is currently off to swan around thailand again.

6 of my friends still live with their parents rent free or for minimal amounts of money. 6! They get by on part time jobs for pocket money.

1 of my friends has a job he loves as a chef in a cafe that shuts for the winter. When it shuts, he skates by on job seekers and the money he's saved (he gets payed nicely for the work he does).

I am the only one with a place of my own. It's not much, just a bedsit, but it's mine, and I pay my own rent and bills and buy my own food and clothes and I work a full time AND part time job to do that.

Now, it's not like I'm saying I wish I was mentally disabled or had broken my neck... But sometimes I just feel like everyone else takes for granted how lucky they are not to have to walk into work every day to a job you hate with a passion, because you know if you don't, you won't have a home

 

[Silvermoth]

I adore my job! Every day it's my job to read as many newspapers and magazines as possible and study them for our clients needs. This would be good enough but I also really feel appreciated there and welcome.

 

[Paroxysm]

I load B737's. I don't love or hate my lob. Sometimes its fun, some times it sucks but I could careless about that, it pays the bills.

 

[kal-el1990]

I was in a really bad place for a long time (wanted to kill myself every day), but I NEVER dob people in for bullying... I always just ignore it/pretend it's fine. And it was just one issue. Once I'd sorted out my living situtation, had some councilling and stuff about other issues, I worked through it. And eventually they were dobbed in by another girl who was much more open to reporting it... At this point, they actually started kissing my arse for never saying anything and it got good.

It was soon after I was transferred to another office. Which sounds good, but see my full explanation for why it actually still ended up worse

I intend to leave too. Problem is, it never happens as soon as you like.

When my doctors/councillors told me I needed to take 2 weeks off I explained it simply too them - it was either quitting completely or sticking it out.

I personally wouldn't recommend it if you have to go back and deal with their judgement. Cause you just don't know how long your going to be stuck there

At least you are away from the bullying which is a good thing!

I know what you mean about leaving, it's not as easy as it used to be! There just aren't a great deal of jobs about at the moment! I've applied for countless and today is the first interview I've had (fingers crossed!!)

I noticed your South West UK, where abouts? Im a Somerset guy!

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

Well, just to emphasise how wonderful it is to run your own business....

I have to write up all my jobs and associated tasks for the month about to end making sure they are all associated with the correct client, then create any new client services which are needed so they can be billed also.
Then I have to generate all the service and work invoices and time-sheets which all have to be e-mailed to the appropriate clients.

Monday I was working until 22:00, last night finished at 23:00. Tonight should not be too bad, will probably be done by 21:00

Still, beats having a boss eh? t:

 

[SuperFerret]

Veterinary technician. Love my job. I've got great co-workers, clients and patients (mostly). My job indulges my science geek side and the side of me that's attracted to danger (though I'd love to be working with wilder animals). Most days don't feel like work, and I know that I'm doing a good thing each and every day. It's very rewarding.

I hate many of the people in my field, however, and how damned political it can get. As much as I'd love a Jaws-inspired scar comparing contest with another tech, I'd rather not talk to many of my colleagues due to their typically over-zealous politics.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

I noticed your South West UK, where abouts? Im a Somerset guy!

Me too (well, accept I'm a girl)! Where abouts are you in
Somerset ?

EDIT: Just readin that back I gotta laugh at the use of the phrase 'where abouts'

 

[Destructus86]

I can tolerate my job...it's my supervisor I can't stand.
so, I guess in a way I DO hate my job. But there's not much work out there so i'm stuck.

 

[Holiday]

Last Sunday I started work in debone at a poultry plant. So far I wouldn't say I hate it but it's much worse than I expected and I'm having a tremendously difficult time getting used to the work. The hardest part is sleeping with the odd hours (I work 11-7am) while at the same time dealing with the pain in hands and forearms. I definitely wasn't ready for this. The training is almost non-existent, if I'm lucky I'm shown by a supervisor how to perform a cut once. I find myself learning as I go, watching others while trying to keep up with the line. The one thing keeping me motivated is that everyone near me is having to bust their ass just so I can keep up.

I had originally planned to work there for awhile so that I could get out on my own and become financially independent but unless they move me to a different area I'm sure I'll be fired within a week, or I just won't show up one night.

 

[webhead731]

I've worked at a Blockbuster for three years and I loved it. Yeah, it wasn't perfect, but I liked everyone I worked with and my manager as well. I know a lot about movies and really do love them, so I really fit in there and was helpful to a lot of customers.

Of course, we got told we were closing after Christmas...
Whelp

 

[plushbug]

I love my job most days. Not so much at the moment. Right now kind of hanging on to: it's steady work, pays well, and if I can just **** about how unenthusiastic I am about basically EVERYTHING I expect to be doing for the forseeable future, I can look to retire in 6-7 years.

It still beats being an accountant.

 

[Kurosawa]

I'm working a near-minimum wage job in a warehouse club after 25 years in construction, and although it's a lot less money than I used to make, the structure and the required professionalism is actually good for me, so even though I'm making the least amount of money that I've made in years, it's been a nice change. i don't know where I'm going to go from here-basically I am starting over with a college kid job at the age of 43.

 

[SuperSoldier985]

It's probably 55% hate, 45% love in general...The main thing that gets me through is the good pay and benefits..

 

[kal-el1990]

Me too (well, accept I'm a girl)! Where abouts are you in
Somerset ?

EDIT: Just readin that back I gotta laugh at the use of the phrase 'where abouts'

I'm around the Glastonbury area, how about you?

Seems to be some good news happening about that interview people!
Didn't get that job but they said they would like me in a different role and will phone me in the near future. Fingers crossed!