Time for a change?
Well, I think I have the “back to work blues”. I know, I’ve only been back for 3 days, and I only have another 8 working days until our Hahei holiday, but I’m feeling a bit demotivated right now.
[I’m pretty sure nobody at my work reads my blog. Plenty of ex-coworkers who read it (Robyn, Ju, Tanya, Rachael, Lyndal, David …) but they will probably understand more than anybody how I’m feeling! So I can safely say what I want to say ...]
I love my job. I really do. I have NEVER woken up with that horrible sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach at the thought of having to go to work. And trust me, I know what that feels like. I had it EVERY SINGLE TIME I had to go and work at the supermarket. I worked there for 5 years. It wasn’t fun.
Anyway, I don’t dislike coming to work. I enjoy what I do, and I work for a good company. But right now I’m feeling a little disillusioned about things. I recently had my performance review and apparently (according to a friend who just moved departments, and had his PR before he left) I got the highest rating in my team. I should be happy with that, but I’m not. I need a new challenge. I need a change. There are plenty of vacancies in the company at the moment, but there’s a problem with that scenario. I currently have a really flexible working arrangement. I’m allowed to work from home every Friday (my 1/2 day) and I’m also allowed to do shorter days when I drop off/pick up Ethan from Kindy, as long as I make the time up later. That works briliantly for me. If I moved to another department, I would be unlikely to have that flexibility. Not until I had been there for a decent amount of time, gotten up to speed with the new job, and proven myself capable. I’ve been in my current job for almost 8 years, which is why I have the freedom I have right now.
There is glimmer of hope for me though. I’ve asked, and been given a very encouraging response (not 100% yes, but very encouraging all the same), about working from home fulltime. As in every day. As in no travelling to work … saving me 1 hour of driving time each day, and about $40 each week in petrol. Of course the standard childcare arrangements that we have now would have to continue. I would need the boys to be at daycare 2 days/week, for Rob to be home on Mondays, and for Mum to have them on Wednesdays. I couldn’t work 40h/week AND look after both boys all the time. I’m good, but I’m not that good ;-)
This wouldn’t happen until May, when Ethan starts school. But I’m hoping it will all go ahead, because it would make life SO much easier for me. I’d be able to be a “school mum” every day, not just once a week. I’d be able to drop him off and pick him up every day. I’d be able to go to the gym at the much more godly hour of 9am instead of the ungodly one of 6am. I’d be able to watch Dr Phil … okay, maybe not! But I’d be able to shuffle things around and get my work done inbetween everything else. If Ethan had a school trip, I’d be able to go.
A few years ago, I would never have considered doing this. I would have missed my friends too much, because I had lots of them. But right now I don’t have that many friends here at work. I have colleagues who I like a lot and get along well with, but nobody that I would call a “good friend”. Nobody I would miss so much that I would feel sad about not being here. My sister works here, and since I have lunch with her everyday I will miss her a LOT. But I do see her a fair bit outside of work so that’s not really an issue.
So until May, I have to stick it out here. It’s not bad, really. I’m sorry if I made it sound bad. It’s just time for a change. And working from home is (hopefully) going to be that change!
10 Comments:
I know exactly what you mean! I caught up with Tanya for dinner on Monday night and we were commenting that the flexibility Adis allows for mums (and dad's I guess - although they are few and far between!) really is what keeps people there.
So I really do hope you get the working from home you are after. Things must have changed - it would never have happened in "my day"!!
Lots of love, Robyn
Yes, I do read regularly but fail to leave my mark!
I can totally relate to what you're going through, and I think a change, after 8 years, will be good for you - even if it means working from home. You'll have more flexibility, be able to pick the boys up more, and it's much more relaxing being at home than working from an office. What with technology going the way that it is these days, it's a more common thing. Having finished up at work I miss the people I worked immediately with, but I'm less stressed being at home, what with no commuting time. Having said that, though, I miss earning some money, even though what is Bruce's is mine (so he says!) and what librarians earn is pretty minimal : )
Wow, I would LOVE a job at home. I can see all your points for wanting a job change too. I don't hate my job, however, I too am a bit disillusioned by the whole thing right now. And am so sick of the bureaucracy of it all.
I'd say stick it out and then work from home. What a better way to be a mum and a working woman!
its always good to do a bit of introspective. I can totally relate to what you were saying about being de-motivated and waiting for the time to come when I could implement changes, in your case that is May. I love new challenges so good luck with the next few weeks Hannah.
Janine who was hving problems leaving a comment today.
I think this is so awesome and definitely want you want! I know we talked about this some time ago and you really didn't think it would be an option but it is!!! And that's soooooo great! You won't feel like you are missing out on so much. I wish I could have a job like yours as well. You work for a fabulous company and they treat you well! Roll on May!!!
I just had the coolest experience while reading your blog. You mentioned that you're going on a hahei vacation and I knew EXACTLY where you're going cause I've been there! It may sound odd to you, but I found it really cool. Anyway, I hope you have a great time and that you figure things out with work! Change is good!
Congrats on having the option of working from home. I hope the next 8 days fly by, have a great time in Hahei :)
Sounds like a great opportunity Hannah! My friend works at a company that offers alternate work arrangements which is ideal if you have kids. Enjoy your upcoming holiday!
Shauna (murgatr)
dd 11/22/98
dd 6/27/02
hate that feeling Hannah! I'm not looking forward to going back to work either.
Your not alone Hannah. I can't get my head back into work at all yet. I am thinking I\it will be better once the kids are back at school and the routine returns to normal!
Have a great holiday in Hahei! Looks like you chose the right time to go weather wise :o)
Post a Comment
<< Home