Current Events > Have you ever felt underutilized at work?

(+) Yeah! (+)

this is a weird one, not sure how to approach this issue
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Sure, but I don't mind. I'd rather have an easy job than a high stress one.

If it bothers you, though, how much autonomy do you have in your current position? If you're relatively free you can always look into how to improve areas under your control. I'm sure there's a process you can help improve, or maybe something you can work on automating if you work with computers, for example.
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What do you do? Where do you think you can contribute more?
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Master_Bass posted...

Sure, but I don't mind. I'd rather have an easy job than a high stress one.

It's one of those things that's great if you're not interested in advancing and bad if you are.
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Master_Bass posted...

Sure, but I don't mind. I'd rather have an easy job than a high stress one.

If it bothers you, though, how much autonomy do you have in your current position? If you're relatively free you can always look into how to improve areas under your control. I'm sure there's a process you can help improve, or maybe something you can work on automating if you work with computers, for example.

im the opposite, i'd much rather have more stress. i like to be busy, i dont really do well in environments that are too lax.

i have quite a bit of autonomy so this is a good idea, i should spend more time looking into improvements and stuff like that. this is tough tho because the system i work on is so process-driven, so i never know if i can change something or not because there is often a convoluted reason for why things work the way they do

Serious Cat posted...

What do you do? Where do you think you can contribute more?

basically im more or less the jr admin for the software that finance/accounting ppl use. i work under one person who used to be the sole admin until the company got so big that she needed help.

as a result my position is a new one with no real set responsibilities, metrics etc. there have been moments when ive been on a cool project or been busy with stuff but a lot of the time im just bored browsing reddit or doing mundane shit like password resets.

ive tried going to my boss to ask for new work and all that, it doesnt usually materialize much and it feels uncomfortable to have to beg for something to do. my boss is very nice & knowledgeable but honestly shes a pretty poor manager, she cannot delegate. it's weird because this isnt an entry level job & i make a pretty solid salary so idk what to do in this case
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Not in my current job (I think my utilization is actually at a perfect balance for once).

But in my previous job, all the time. I tried asking for more work once, but that backfired as I was just given mundane tasks that really didn't make me feel any more useful.

I've found that it's best for me to find a need within my workforce, and if I have enough flexibility within my job duties, make a proposal to take on a project to fix it. Every once in a while it would work and they'd let me go through with it. The key is coming in to your manager with confidence. Rather than just asking for permission to do it (as it's easier for them to say "no"), tell them that this is a project you plan to work on and if they have any suggestions. If they don't want you working on it, they'll say so, but when you come to them acting as if you are already going to do it but are getting their blessing and advice, I've found they are more likely to just let you do it as is.
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nah,if anything my productivity is pretty disappointing
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@Zanzenburger posted...

But in my previous job, all the time. I tried asking for more work once, but that backfired as I was just given mundane tasks that really didn't make me feel any more useful.

yup this is exactly how i feel. did you end up just leaving or did things improve? im torn between sticking it out here & hoping that seniority brings me new responsibilities or job hunting asap
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All the time.

Yeah, a lot of work is given to more senior people because management will see it as more efficient. Thats when I gotta kinda force my foot in the door, to prove I can be just as fast. I think this is common in any industry that has a played out career process though. Unfortunately even when you do get more responsibility, to get the higher pay commensurate with your newer skills, you usually gotta jump around to a new employer.
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I'm at work right now, literally doing nothing. I do this almost every day of the week.
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I feel this way, then they trained me to do something else, but that felt pointless because there is a person whos already doing that job.
I stopped asking for something else to do, cause it ends up with 'you can always clean'

I used to get paid 25 bucks an hour to photocopy shit

Worst job ever

yes but they pay me $$$ so w/e
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Romulox28 posted...

@Zanzenburger posted...

But in my previous job, all the time. I tried asking for more work once, but that backfired as I was just given mundane tasks that really didn't make me feel any more useful.

yup this is exactly how i feel. did you end up just leaving or did things improve? im torn between sticking it out here & hoping that seniority brings me new responsibilities or job hunting asap

Things did improve once I started looking for things to do myself. But ultimately, I did leave the job because I felt I wasn't being used to my full potential. The next job was much better at it.
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Zanzenburger posted...

Romulox28 posted...

@Zanzenburger posted...

But in my previous job, all the time. I tried asking for more work once, but that backfired as I was just given mundane tasks that really didn't make me feel any more useful.

yup this is exactly how i feel. did you end up just leaving or did things improve? im torn between sticking it out here & hoping that seniority brings me new responsibilities or job hunting asap

Things did improve once I started looking for things to do myself. But ultimately, I did leave the job because I felt I wasn't being used to my full potential. The next job was much better at it.

good to know. ill probably work on my resume tonight. probably work on a cert im interested in during downtime at work as well lol
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