Want to work, don't want this job

kylith

I've been out of work since December. I've been temping here and there in office/secretarial roles, but have yet to get anything permanent.

A family member who I've worked for in the past has given me a job and I hate it. I turned down numerous offers from this person in the past because I knew I didn't want to work for them: I hate the isolation, and I have zero interest in the industry. I only said yes to this because they're in dire straits for staff. Initially I thought it'd be until he got his staff situation sorted but he's talking about getting me a company phone and then, well, I'd feel obliged to stay at least for the length of that contract.

I know I should feel grateful because I've been handed a full time job and a decent wage, but all I can think is that by the time I could say I've done my time any marketable skills I have for jobs I do want will be out of date and I can't train outside of work because of the hours of this job, which are outside office hours and include almost random 12 hour weekend shifts.

I don't feel like I can talk to my family because my parents will say I'm ungrateful and tell me I'm lucky to have a job at all. If I talk to my siblings it'll get back to my boss. I feel like I have no control and have been railroaded into a position that I don't want but couldn't say no to. I've felt depressed and stressed for days because I know I should be grateful and work hard, but I feel like I'm sinking.

I've gotten a verbal promise of full-time work in a place I enjoyed working previously, but it'll be at least another week before I could possibly be offered anything concrete there, and I'm not naïve enough to hang all my hopes on that.

I should tell my boss, shouldn't I, that while I appreciate his problems getting staff he can rely on, and appreciate him considering me, I don't want to continue with him and will be continuing to apply for roles I do want?

Tigger99

Yeah I would and do it before they arrange a phone contract for you.

Big Bag of Chips

I think it is fair enough to tell him you have done a couple of interviews and are waiting to hear back from them. Tell him you're happy to help out for the time being but you don't want him depending on you to be around full-time. I think that's perfectly reasonable.

woodchuck

kylith wrote: »

I've gotten a verbal promise of full-time work in a place I enjoyed working previously, but it'll be at least another week before I could possibly be offered anything concrete there, and I'm not naïve enough to hang all my hopes on that.

I'd follow up further with this first. Is there any reason to think that you won't be offered anything concrete if you've already been given verbal confirmation? I'd ring them up and explain that you've had another job offer, but that this is your first choice, therefore you like written confirmation before you turn down the other job.

kylith wrote: »

Initially I thought it'd be until he got his staff situation sorted but he's talking about getting me a company phone and then, well, I'd feel obliged to stay at least for the length of that contract.

If for whatever reason the other job doesn't pan out, do NOT feel obligated to stay on for the sake of a phone contract!! In any job you can give in your required amount of notice - you're not legally bound by anything else. However if you're delayed getting a contract from the other job, then you could try to see if there is any way to delay getting a phone contract while you're waiting to hear about the other job. And if that other job doesn't pan out, you could stay in this job until you find other work. It's always easier to find a job when you're already in a job. DON'T start worrying yourself over a phone contract though!!

LynnGrace

Big Bag of Chips wrote: »

I think it is fair enough to tell him you have done a couple of interviews and are waiting to hear back from them. Tell him you're happy to help out for the time being but you don't want him depending on you to be around full-time. I think that's perfectly reasonable.

+1 to this.
I know it's a cliche but life is too short to be stuck in some job that is making you miserable. Make it clear at the earliest opportunity that this is not something you intend to continue doing.

All the best and I hope that one of the other jobs comes through.

kylith

Thanks for all the support, folks.

I come from a very 'take the job, whatever it is' family and the thought of being chastised for letting my relative down and being reminded that no-one likes going to work has been stressing me out for the last few days.

I have spoken to the agency I was with and asked them to contact the place I had been previously to see about the permanent role, and I already feel a lot less trapped.

pilly

kylith wrote: »

Thanks for all the support, folks.

I come from a very 'take the job, whatever it is' family and the thought of being chastised for letting my relative down and being reminded that no-one likes going to work has been stressing me out for the last few days.

I have spoken to the agency I was with and asked them to contact the place I had been previously to see about the permanent role, and I already feel a lot less trapped.

But you can solve this problem by having another job to go to.

I wouldn't go leaving if you've nothing else lined up. Just continue on as if it's any other job, keep looking and when you get a definite offer give in your notice.

kylith

pilly wrote: »

But you can solve this problem by having another job to go to.

I wouldn't go leaving if you've nothing else lined up. Just continue on as if it's any other job, keep looking and when you get a definite offer give in your notice.

I'll have to let him at least know that I'm looking for something else, otherwise he's assume that I'm here forever. I need to get him looking for someone before I go because it's not a position you can walk into without some decent background knowledge, or at least the ability to be a cunning spoofer.

pilly

kylith wrote: »

I'll have to let him at least know that I'm looking for something else, otherwise he's assume that I'm here forever. I need to get him looking for someone before I go because it's not a position you can walk into without some decent background knowledge, or at least the ability to be a cunning spoofer.

I suppose if you want to be fair you could let him know but it could backfire on you. He could say alright, get out and you're left with no job and no money.