I have a well-paid job, but with no work to do I wonder why I was hired at all
Two-and-a-half years ago I left an academic career to move into policy, undertaking a master’s degree in the subject. I work in a very niche field and the vast majority of jobs are in London. However, 18 months ago I secured a post at a rural research organisation. The job pays above average but is geographically isolated. I was relieved at landing a good, permanent job and happy at the prospect of not moving for a few years, having moved every three years or so for nearly 20 years. I even started thinking about buying a house.
Initially things seemed to be going OK, but very quickly work started to dry up. I tried to come up with my own projects, all agreed by my managers, but they were largely ignored.
To make matters worse I report to three people. None work in the same field as me, nor in the same field as each other. They don’t appear to understand my job or what I should be doing.
I brought up the lack of work and lack of direction in August and since then we’ve cycled through various ups and downs but largely nothing has changed. Despite all this I’m being promoted and am told my work (what little I do) is excellent. I’m being put forward for promotion because I work “so independently”. One of the managers has said I need to come up with a strategy for my job, but I have no idea what this strategy is meant to achieve, other than occupying my time.
The organisation is unwilling to do policy as I understand policy to mean. Every time I have tried to persuade senior management to take a position on an issue, get involved with any policy debates or even instigate internal discussions on policy issues that affect our work as a research organisation, I have been met with a lack of comprehension and a resistance to stating any point of view however confidentially.
I am at a complete loss as to why I was hired. I’m looking for new jobs but am faced with the prospect of moving once again and effectively taking a salary cut because of the cost of commuting in London. Should I just accept I need to get another job, give up on the idea of buying a house and accept a pay cut, or is there some way I can push them to find me work?
Jeremy says
You say that you’re at a complete loss as to why you were hired. I have to admit I’m at a complete loss as to what this research organisation of yours actually does or how it’s funded. Presumably it has clients? Yet you seem to be expected to generate your own projects. And I still have no idea what being in “policy” entails. As you describe it it seems an Alice in Wonderland sort of enterprise: little demands being made on it, under-employed staff and yet paying good salaries and promoting even those who have almost nothing to do.
On the basis of what you tell me, I can see no possibility of your being able to “push them to find you work”. It’s possible, I suppose, that you could learn to enjoy this rural existence and mentally resign yourself to what would in effect be a long drawn out but well-rewarded disguised retirement. You could buy your house and maybe write a book or two. Quite a lot of people would envy you such a prospect.
But you’re anxious to develop your skills and do useful work, so I’ve little doubt that you should forget the good money, the promotion and the house. Such material comforts will never compensate you for a career abandoned. The sooner you devote all your energies to finding a challenging and satisfying job the better.
Readers say
• Try again to create some more projects. If these suggestions are also ignored, work on getting a new job. Been there, done that. It was a waste of a few years of my life and ultimately left me feeling depressed. billmac1
• Imagining you in a lovely location, not much to do, the temptation is to suggest finding lots of fun hobbies and letting work become a bit part in your life. However it would be a waste of what you are and a waste of the contribution you could make. So keep looking for jobs. Alternatively, is there a route to you getting your boss’s job and making a dysfunctional organisation work? If not, it sounds like you would get a rave review from your employer – independence, self-starter, committed etc – so it hasn’t been a total waste. HilarySutcliffe
• You were recruited because you’re the expert; why are you relying on others to tell you what to? Ask yourself, “What am I interested in doing? How can I align that with the general objectives of this organisation? What would others find useful?”. Ask why your work is considered excellent (ie what it’s being used for) and do more of that. Engage your stakeholders early by explaining your purpose (strategy) before you do it and how it will help, then ask if there’s anything to add – NOT the same as getting them to agree with you, per se. I’d see this as a huge piece of luck. robinvp11
A FTSE 100 job pays well, but I’m dissatisfied. Is it time I went public?
For some time now I have been thinking of a career change. I’m in my late 20s and when I entered the job market the public sector was not really recruiting, and didn’t seem a viable option. I have ended up working in the private sector for a FTSE 100 company. The pay is quite good and I am junior enough that I have avoided being made redundant during the regular reorganisations the company undertakes, so it has seemed fairly stable. I do sometimes find though, that “delivering shareholder value” leaves a bit of a hollow feeling, and would like to feel that my work would benefit the wider society more.
I am wondering, after the decision to Brexit, whether there will be more opportunities opening up in the public sector, either in local/central government or with an NGO. While I didn’t vote to leave the EU, I am sure many people in my position will be wondering if the decision is likely to open up different job markets and career opportunities we hadn’t considered before.
Jeremy says
As becomes more apparent on a daily basis, the Brexit decision has given rise to a whole host of uncertainties. One of the very few certainties, however, is that for at least the next two years – and almost certainly longer – the public sector will need a whole new army of people both to unpick the existing arrangements between Britain and the EU and also to put into effect a whole host of new trading and other agreements. It’s likely to be painstaking and often repetitive work, but will be of huge national importance. It certainly won’t carry the shadow of “delivering shareholder value” and might well fulfil your need to benefit a wider society.
Readers say
• I don’t think “only” the shareholders benefit from the efforts of staff at private companies. Most supply some good or service that people need, and competing to supply this better can be a good thing. They complement the work of the public sector. Pavanne
• I felt the same way about six years ago so I now work almost exclusively with central government and feel great. It’s about your country and its citizens rather than helping rich folks get richer. missmessy
• I’ve worked in the public, private and voluntary/third sector, and quite frankly many of the problems that exist in one exist in another. Thing is, if you want to do something different, try it. WibbleyWobbles
Do you need advice on a work issue? For Jeremy’s and readers’ help, send a brief email to dear.jeremy@theguardian.com. Please note that he is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or to reply personally.
