What is a low stress, well paid job?

Donald Trump · 01-05-2022 12:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119001214#Comment_119001214

Lol

As I said, I can't be responsible for your ignorance.

If you feel triggered by me pointing out that the poster themselves confirmed there were unvouched sick days, then you might want to have a think about why that is so.

AndrewJRenko · 01-05-2022 1:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119001175#Comment_119001175

How does sick leave work in your job?

Donald Trump · 01-05-2022 1:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119001225#Comment_119001225

Unvouched sick days are standard enough. The difference is that I'm not trying to claim they are a fiction when they are not!

The DayDream · 01-05-2022 1:04pm

You're on high 5 figures and are thinking that retail or hospitality work is gonna get you a better wage? Or that it's less stress?

Please for the love of God stay where you are. You're ridiculously out of touch to the point I would nearly say someone that daft is almost guaranteed to not be overpaid at whatever they're at now. Not to be insulting but jesus, what planet you on? retail and hospitality, any job dealong with the psychotic entity we call 'the public' is usually a sh-+show.

And shift work? Your stress level is to a large degree affected by your rest and sleep. And the whole reason people do these crap shifts is because the ordinary rate is nothing to write home about (well, some people do like them but if the majority preferred them the extra money wouldnt be there).

AndrewJRenko · 01-05-2022 1:04pm

Funny how no-one mentioned that unvouched sick days are standard enough when using it as a stick to beat teachers with.

Wishbone Ash · 01-05-2022 1:07pm

If you are sick on a Friday and still sick on the Monday then you can get a doctors note and keep your unvouched holidays.

I think the reason that it is a bone of contention with many employees is that it is recorded as 4 certified sick days whereas the employee was only due to work on two of the days.

Doc07 · 01-05-2022 1:09pm

I do not believe there are any genuine ‘"leave it at the door" sort of jobs’ that pay 6 figures. Unless you can get a made up company director type job in a business your family own!

Gumbo · 01-05-2022 1:09pm

So basically, you can ring in sick if your public or private sector. Deadly. More PS V PrvS BS arguments.

Donald Trump · 01-05-2022 1:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119001244#Comment_119001244

Hi Andrew, one poster, claiming to be a teacher said:

The unvouched sick days thing is fiction.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119000814#Comment_119000814

I merely pointed out that their own post proved it was not a fiction.

If I claimed that: "Private sectors workers don't get any tax back for medical or dental expenses", you could come on and point out that I am wrong/lying. You're just starting fact.

If I, in response, was to do the equivalent of what you are doing it would be that I would then accuse you of complaining that private sector workers can get tax back on medical expenses. When you are not doing that. You would have just pointed out that what I said was wrong.

Gumbo · 01-05-2022 1:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119000869#Comment_119000869

Def do agree with this poster.

Get into the pharmacy tech area. You walk in on high salary, high benefits with low stress.

down side is general health issues and the stigmata of the opinion that your old, overweight and very ignorant.

CPTM · 01-05-2022 1:11pm

I feel like a lot of stress in a lot of jobs is often the employee's fault. Unless you're a surgeon or a frontline worker. But if you're working in IT or something and you're getting asked to do more than you can handle, just say no. Really is simple as that. I started doing it years ago and you'd be surprised how many people understand, and the ones that don't understand can't really do anything.

It was funny to me, when they started moving the conversation towards me doing more and more work which is beyond a 9am to 5pm and I just told them I simply wouldn't be able to do it. We then sat there, in this amusing moment, wherein they realised they're absolutely powerless about it.

Anyone working late in a perm job or a very secure contract role should try it. Just one day, stand up and leave it and have an evening to yourself with the mountain of work on your desk. Try it the next day until they get the point. But do work your ass off from 9 to 4/5.

I'm having similar chats with them now about working from the office. Haha, not a hope of happening, sorry!

Donald Trump · 01-05-2022 1:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119001255#Comment_119001255

The concept in the public sector appears to be that you retain the same status until the next working day.

Which can work to your advantage too. It used to be, at least it still was fairly recently, that if you are a teacher on leave, and come back and do the last day before the Summer holidays (not sure whether you had to do the first day after the Summer holidays), you will get paid in full for those holidays even if you didn't work the rest of the year.

If on strike Tuesday/Wed/Thursday then you lose 3/7ths rather than 3/5ths of your pay.

StressedOot · 01-05-2022 1:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119001243#Comment_119001243

That is a bit harsh. I didn't mean working front line retail or hospitality. I meant back office- marketing, buying, finance, HR. And yes I would be prepared to take a paycut of some proportion for less stress.

And while I do like operations, I am keenly aware that they would not be in the money stakes. Hence my query in relation to trade roles.

And I have worked shift before (admittedly as a younger person) and enjoyed it, and I enjoy working with the public.

AndrewJRenko · 01-05-2022 1:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119001271#Comment_119001271

In fairness to the other poster, they went on to say;

I think you can take 7 uncertified sick days over a rolling two year period but you are usually required to send in work and correct it, so you're essentially working from home. It's easier to go in and teach. You can take a maximum of three days in a row, and if you take a Friday and the following Monday it's counted as four days. Certified sick leave is more generous and more complicated and you will have Medmark on the phone asking to see your bleeding wounds and quizzing you on whether you really need all that medication.

which gave some context to the bit you took out of context. Mountains and molehills, it seems.

Donald Trump · 01-05-2022 1:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119001403#Comment_119001403

Yes that is the point. They were replying to a poster that said teachers had unvouched sick days. That first poster did not say they had unlimited unvouched sick days. Or that they had too many or too few. Just that they had them.

To which the second poster replied that that was a myth. And then proceeded to explain that they did, in fact, have them.

I never said it was a bad thing. In fact I think I even said that explicitly. I only pointed out that their post did in fact confirm they had them.

Not having any unvouched days in any role would be stupid as it would mean that a person would have to go through a big rigmarole. It would also be counterproductive anyway as anyone going to the doctor would likely ask for a week off! So unvouched days are a practical idea. They are limited though to prevent anyone taking the pis$

Saint_Mel · 03-05-2022 8:52am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119001048#Comment_119001048

Very much depends on the person in teaching.

My OH is a teacher, and while not getting up at 5am to prep (or ride anyone 😂) she puts in woeful hours and I'm constantly reminding her that she's going way above and beyond to the point of burnout.

On the other hand, I have some friends also teaching and they spend the bare minimum time with prep work, do their 15-22 hours, fly through corrections when they have to and they enjoy life and the time off because that was the exact reason they got into teaching. At the end of the day, they are coming home with the exact same wages as my OH but with a fraction of the effort.

I've worked in IT industry and software development for over 20 years and its been far from stress free. Working on multiple projects at the same time, tight deadlines, requirements changing at short notice, constant meetings, crazy hours, working across time zones etc...

SuperBowserWorld · 03-05-2022 9:03am

Software development is stress free if you don't care about quality and jump from job to job leaving a huge mess behind for others to clean up. But hey, you got that feature out the door and you are a Rock Star !!

Tomw86 · 03-05-2022 3:39pm

I feel like a lot of stress in a lot of jobs is often the employee's fault. Unless you're a surgeon or a frontline worker. But if you're working in IT or something and you're getting asked to do more than you can handle, just say no. Really is simple as that. I started doing it years ago and you'd be surprised how many people understand, and the ones that don't understand can't really do anything.

It was funny to me, when they started moving the conversation towards me doing more and more work which is beyond a 9am to 5pm and I just told them I simply wouldn't be able to do it. We then sat there, in this amusing moment, wherein they realised they're absolutely powerless about it.

Anyone working late in a perm job or a very secure contract role should try it. Just one day, stand up and leave it and have an evening to yourself with the mountain of work on your desk. Try it the next day until they get the point. But do work your ass off from 9 to 4/5.

I'm having similar chats with them now about working from the office. Haha, not a hope of happening, sorry!

This is absolutely the best advise - if you're finding it stressful and are working 'beyond' your normal hours you only have yourself to blame. Employers cannot force this upon employees, especially if you are not getting paid overtime. Perhaps it is a different story if they are paying you overtime and see it as a requirement as per your contract, but generally professions who don't pay it there is no reason for an employee to do it and then complain about it.

I work in a Financial Services role as part of a team (on a high 5 figure salare) but we all have our own clients. So many people on the team are stressed out and doing 14 hour days whilst really getting themselves worked up about the workload and often complaining about it. There are a couple of us with the attitude, including myself, that once I log off that's it - my work phone goes off, any meetings scheduled for after my working day I reject and ask to be rescheduled and I do the mandatory 1 day which it is being insisted upon we do in the office. I do minimal (I would say 2/3 hours a week) overtime and will sometimes work through some of my lunch but that is it and I switch off once I finish.

I would start with taking that approach to your current role - once you're done for the day that's it - and see how it goes.

TheW1zard · 03-05-2022 3:54pm

Whats well paid?

TestLink · 03-05-2022 8:15pm

Data Centre Engineer?

Fiyatoe · 06-05-2022 11:55pm

I’m at a bit of a crossroads myself. Really enjoyed reading through this thread so far, thanks for all contributions.

perception is everything. I don’t know whether I’m mad or not with my next move. Or trying to be too ambitious, for what?

I earn mid 70s euros at present for a global construction consultancy on data centres in EMEA. I Work 100% remotely, no one goes into Dublin office, it’s now 2.5 hrs drive /train from me as I relocated during Covid from Dublin.

its very handy, I rarely do more than 9-5pm and my bosses / colleagues are sound out. Some days I might even disappear for an hour or two and do my own thing, as long as I get my work done and available for client calls no one really cares where I’m at. No travel abroad involved to the project in Holland, I look after the costs only.

I’ve been in the role for 2 years now. my problem is I’m almost 29, and I feel I’m wasting away in the role, not learning anything and no pressure or responsibility. I have a fear I’ll become useless if I stay at it too long. I’m comfortable financially and own my own home with my partner. We’ve no children.

I loved the home working but I’m now finding it tough on the head. Stuck in the house all day every day, apart from going to the gym and a walk in my town I don’t meet anyone some days even virtually apart from my OH.

some people would bite my hand off for mid 70s salary at my age with no travel, I have tried to be grateful for that. My own family are a construction background so believe my I know all about hard manual work and earning a living.

I decided enough was enough recently as I got stuck in a rut and got a bit down, and unmotivated by not having enough to do, despite asking for more work from my boss. I applied to a few roles recently.

A big 4 firm have offered me to move up to mid 80s base (10% increase) into their tax team concerning property and investment clients as a construction consultant, not an accountant.

There is a bonus which I’ve been told will bring it close to 6 figures, but it’s a senior manager role. I’ve never really managed people before, will only have 1 or 2 grads under me.

It’s a risk as it’s a new industry for me, away from QS’ing in construction. I’d be lying if I said I enjoy the construction industry or QS role, so I welcome the change. However I am not sure if I am getting into bed with the devil moving for money and a change, for what could be monster hours and pressure. I’ve asked around internally and they said the hours shouldn’t be more than 9-6 from someone in that department as it’s a specialist area and not auditing .

not sure how it will look on the CV if I decide to fall back into my previous role.

I will only have to travel into the Dublin office 1 day per week, maybe 2 the odd time which will be 2.5hrs train or car, a step up from 100% remote now. I could hate the travel again, usually a commute to an office over 30 mins is too much in my opinion.

70% of me is accepting this new offer and the remainder says stay where I am and move to a different area within the company, take life easy and not worry too much.

if I stayed where I am I’m going to take up a diploma in counselling therapy in evenings at night college and qualify as one to help people on the side with the view to doing that later when I’ve built up enough clients if it pays anywhere near as well as my current salary. I’ve did my research into it.

interesting to hear what everyone stresses over about on this thread. I could be jumping out of something quite boring and handy where I can take a day off and no one really bats an eyelid, to what could be a stressful manager role with a lot of eyes. I could be looking back in no time!

sometimes I envy my partner, she earns about €35K euros, never does overtime, never takes work home or mentions it. I’m always striving for the next thing or worrying if I’m doing enough, always looking around to advance. I can’t settle! The longest I’ve stayed with a firm is 2 years.

Fiyatoe · 06-05-2022 11:59pm

Are public jobs as good as they are made out to be or semi state firms? As a construction QS, I was given advice a few times to always strive for an Irish rail / ESB type job.

slow pace, good pension and benefits etc. every other construction job for a client / contractor / consultancy is fast paced and cut throat in most cases.

needhelpguy · 07-05-2022 11:36am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119026313#Comment_119026313

I feel your pain, I'm in this position myself (save the job offer). I don't have any answers. Been in my current role 8 years, it's exactly the same as it was when I joined. No career advancement opportunities, no relevant training offered, I'm bored and stuck in the mud it feels. I could earn anywhere from an extra 15-25k on the market.

But it's zero stress, 9-5, do my own thing type of role with no micromanagement or deadlines or anything. WFH 3 days a week and the other 2 are in the office (which is mostly empty anyway) 10 mins drive away. I can disappear for hours at a time and no one cares, once the work is done. It's fairly secure, good pension etc. Very laid back and in fairness some of the work I do is rewarding, it really helps other parts of the business. But I'm not learning anything new, there is nowhere to really go and my salary is well below market rates (and I would be hoping to get a house/mortgage in a few years, so this is important). There's a lot to be said for it honestly, but I have a similar dilemma. I don't deal well with stress at all and any new role would come with new challenges, maybe a bad manager or interpersonal fighting or bullying or I might hate it or a load of other things.

I know they say you should challenge yourself and life is about taking risks, but there is a lot to be said for a low stress comfortable job. Both options have their pros and cons. Each one will come with opportunities and consequences. For what it's worth, when I had other job offers in the past I turned them down in the end and stayed. Not sure if that was right or not but there you go.

toyotatommy · 07-05-2022 11:38am

National school teacher

Fiyatoe · 07-05-2022 1:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119027312#Comment_119027312

Yes it’s a damned if you do and damned if you don’t situation, being unsure whether to make the leap or not!

The reason I’m going to take the risk is, if I don’t try it ill never know, at least i can always (hopefully) come back after 6 months if I hate the new place.

id rather try it and fail miserably than sit here not knowing each week.

but it is very hard to leave something comfortable.

squigglestrebor · 07-05-2022 1:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119001273#Comment_119001273

But sure they can make you work from the office , place of work would have been in your original contract. Now they mighnt force you in end but saying not a hope is spoofing or you saying youd just quit first.

CPTM · 07-05-2022 2:30pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119027884#Comment_119027884

I don't know what 'make' me would look like. A letter or something? Terminating my contract maybe? Well I'd be very interested to see if they really care that much. There are plenty of remote-working jobs out there if they do decide to go that route but they can be the ones to take it that far, not me. I'll log in despite any warnings or letters or threats. I certainly won't be quitting anyways, just because they're asking me for something.

squigglestrebor · 07-05-2022 2:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119027988#Comment_119027988

Ah i just seen with many people so far proclaiming not a hope of going back into the office. Same people duly been going back in at least a day a week with their tale between their legs. Because of what the original contracts are , employees dont have any power except a threat to quit. If you are good at your job that might be enough.

denismc · 07-05-2022 2:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119000869#Comment_119000869

You are being screwed, I work pharmaceutical manufacturing and 100k+ is easily achievable albeit working shift. Day shift operators would start at 50-60k.

3rd level education wouldn't be a requirement but the recruitment process can be fairly robust.

Fiyatoe · 07-05-2022 2:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119028001#Comment_119028001

I don’t see how that’s in any way coming back in with the tail between your legs?

most people were 5 days per week previously, now you’re saying one? What’s the big deal? If anything I would say that’s a win win for employee. Does no harm going in to collaborate or meet up with colleagues.

the reality is now, most companies aren’t forcing more than a few days because If they did it’s an employees market and you could find another role with 3/4 days WFH.

employees are not powerless. If that was the case offices would be full .

my own company have around 1000 workers, I’d you go into any floor first - third during the week you’ll get half full capacity at best. No one there on Mondays or Fridays.

squigglestrebor · 07-05-2022 2:52pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119028059#Comment_119028059

I said at least one day a week, reading not your strong point? Employees have very little power to insist on 100% remote. I have seen this with many people who said not a hope theyd go back to the office and there they are , back in the office.

Fiyatoe · 07-05-2022 2:56pm

Spelling mustn’t be your strong point either, “tale” 😆😁 I guess we both have weaknesses

im not here to argue. Although I’d question if that’s what you’re on to do, setting up an account this morning and making controversial remarks since 7am.

as far as I can see, and I’ve talked to lots of people in my circle working for Dublin firms, they rarely go into the office, and I’m talking less than once per week.

the mass return you’re referring to just simply isn’t happening.

im sure some have been dragged back in for the majority of the week, but to suggest this is happening to everyone is just false

Jarhead_Tendler · 07-05-2022 2:59pm

Good luck finding happiness and a better life work balance op

fryup · 07-05-2022 2:59pm

bus driver on a rural route,

only stressful thing is getting the licence in the first place

squigglestrebor · 07-05-2022 3:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119028087#Comment_119028087

Jesus you seem like a bit of a stalker. The largest firms in the world have returned to the office in some capacity. Thats a fact , ive made absolutely shag all controversial remarks. You obviously lack the brain capacity to process my original point. Most peoples contracts would have had place of work included. Therefore even in your own place they could easily say , full return to the office is mandatory. You are then left with two choices , quit or go into the office. Effectively powerless.

Fiyatoe · 07-05-2022 3:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119028112#Comment_119028112

Quit - loads of other jobs out there fully remote.

Largest firms in the world - twitter amongst others just announced fully remote for their workers in future as a choice. that’s a fact also @squigglestrebor

what don’t you understand about that? Employees have plenty of power. They’re affecting the job market and influencing employers. Many that insisted on 5 days in office have loosened that completely.

I wish you all the best and have a good day.

squigglestrebor · 07-05-2022 3:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119028136#Comment_119028136

Quit!! Exactly my point , employee has zero power to insist on fully remote .Bit pathetic to try take apart my posts because i called you out on your condescending words on your thread. Oh im on a whopper 75K im not even academic , this could be you too! Haha youd barely be able to rent a 1 bed in dublin on that pal. Anyway we have derailed the thread enough , have a nice day.

Fiyatoe · 07-05-2022 3:31pm

fits · 07-05-2022 3:32pm

Sometimes I feel like I’m in another planet reading these threads.

07-05-2022 3:56pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119028092#Comment_119028092

My father did that for a few years before he retired, after spending most of his life on the roads. He said it was extremely stressful having that many people's safety in your hands.

squigglestrebor · 07-05-2022 3:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119028275#Comment_119028275

Yeah i cant think of anything more stressful haha , which is probably important to remember for the thread , everyone stresses in different ways.

AndrewJRenko · 07-05-2022 4:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119027320#Comment_119027320

Have you tried dealing with a stroppy parent, telling you how their little darling is being bullied, when you know well that said little darling is actually the bully?

CPTM · 07-05-2022 7:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119028153#Comment_119028153

I don't see why quitting or going back in are the only options. No one is turning up with a gun to my head. The third option I'm taking is saying no and letting them start court proceedings or fire me if they want. Everyone has that third option. I don't know why someone would quit before trying that, saying as both ways you end up jobless but by quitting you definitely lose your job. Waiting to be fired at least allows you a slight opportunity that the company might change their mind when they realise that firing someone means hiring someone else who doesn't know as much, and at a time when it's quite difficult to hire people. They might do it yep, but they certainly might not and just surrender to you working from home. They survived 2 years of it afterall.

squigglestrebor · 07-05-2022 7:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119029290#Comment_119029290

Yeah i agree with you tbh!there is that 3rd option. My pals and admittedly myself didnt dig in, my job pays better than what i think i can get elsewhere haha so felt like id no choice

fryup · 09-05-2022 12:02pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119028275#Comment_119028275

depends on your route i suppose, our local link driver only has a handful of OAP's to pick up everyday he say's he could do it in his sleep the same stop off's and pick up's everyday

bitofabind · 10-05-2022 1:23pm

I'm in high stress tech sales, base is grand, commission brings comfortably into 6 figures but as yet not stress tested since I'm working long sales cycles in a startup.

If you were looking for high stress, high pay, I'd say enterprise tech sales - and better yet, sales management. VP's in enterprise SAAS sales make a fortune, alas it takes a certain robustness and not for the fainthearted!

If I could do it all again, I'd study dentistry. A long and arduous study path, but once you're fully qualified and a few years in, it's a bit like ground-hog day in a surgery with a growing book of business where you're doing the same day-to-day stuff, check-ups, cavities, the odd root canal, and grossing high. A bit of sales involved especially with the surge in cosmetic dentistry these days, a bit of stress in terms of dealing with anxious members of the public. But something you can leave in the office when you go home and flexibility around the hours you do if you're self-employed.

HartsHat · 10-05-2022 2:55pm

Sub goalkeeper in the Premier League.

Jim2007 · 10-05-2022 3:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119041370#Comment_119041370

Really you think playing second fiddle, worrying about not getting a chance do demonstrate your skills, working about be transferred or dumped is not stressful?

Pawwed Rig · 10-05-2022 8:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119041474#Comment_119041474

Better to be third or fourth choice. Darren Randolph has the best job in the world. 50k a week to keep fit

Jim2007 · 10-05-2022 9:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119043083#Comment_119043083

Ya, it does not work like that. There are very few people in any earning a good salary that is not concerned about their career etc... The idea of a stress free well paying job is just nonsense.

What is a low stress, well paid job?

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