WORK: classic or dud?

If you don't like students (or people) though, or can't stand interuptions and stupid questions, then you would hate my job.

Bill

Anyway, I spent five years training and studying to do my job, and even then I am still a trainee. I get paid a decent amount, but even then it barely covers the repayments on the student loans that got me here in the first place. Then there's my job. I often work 15 hour days, doing mind-numbing, uninteresting tasks without any feedback if I do anything right. If I do something wrong, however, I get treated extremely harshly, often to the point that personal attacks are made against me by my superiors. My job has led me to suffer anxiety attacks, depression, exhaustion and other health disorders. I also find that taking holiday is frowned upon, and I often find my social life and personal life completely destroyed by work and work commitments. I missed All Tomorrow's Parties thanks to an illness caused by stress, and I almost missed Belle and Sebastian.

In addition, I have to travel to and from work on a humilating excuse for public transport that is so overcrowded the conditions are sometimes worse than those endured by animals going to slaughter. Which, I guess is fitting.

I'm on a contract, too, which means I can't get out of my job until September 2002. So I'm trapped, and every day is a horrible struggle. I'd give anything to actually have a job I enjoy, or at least one I don't mind *that* much. Work if it's something you enjoy (like Strange Fruit for me) - classic. But if it destroys you, if it seems to tear your very soul from you, then it's an unmitigated dud.

Okay, that wasn't a complaint either, I just really liked that quote.

Now, I've been having some major upheavals in my life lately, and trying to keep up with work at the same time. I haven't taken time off, whilst work has got busier and busier, and whilst working upwards of 60-70 hours a week I was trying to deal with some major personal issues.

My work suffered regardless, because I was trying to do too much. I got a lot of flak from my bosses, who refused to take into account what I was going through, and continually wound me up. Then, eventually, it just became too much. I took about 90 painkillers and went to bed. I didn't expect to wake up the next day but instead just got very sick indeed and was hospitalised briefly. I went back to work as if nothing had happened, but recently approached my doctor (which is also my company's doctor) and explained what had happened, that I'd been under too much stress.

Anyway, the doctor approached personnel and told them what had happened. They then told my boss. So today I got into trouble for making a major mess-up simply through not having enough time to do everything at once last week. My boss came into the office and reminded me how useless I was, and then presented me with three bottles of paracetamol and told me to 'do the job properly next time'. A few comments were made about some other aspects of my life too, which are best not repeated. So again, it's not work, it's my job. They know I'm trapped, and they're going to see how much it takes to destroy me.

Except current boss is away in FURRIN LANDS and I get his internet access! JOY. Boss being away = CLASSIC. Boss being present = DUD.

I don't have anything to complain about, especially after that story. Anyone who has as much time as I do to post to ile/m can't have it very rough.

Your story DOES make me feel better about having no huge prospects. No BIG PAYOLA but also not so much SHITE. But honestly, it seems to me you should do whatever it takes to get out of such a disgustingly destructive job.

But there are plenty of other things I can do: I just have to wait until my contract ends and then they won't see me for dust around here.

I do like your suggestion that it's not work per se that sucks, but particular jobs. Personally I'm much happier in a routine than left to my own devices, so I'm wary of any kind of self-employment / freelance deal. Work beats not work in my book; but I can't say I know anyone fortunate enough to be in a position to choose.

Since then gone off the idea of careers and am just bouncing around - currently doing work I rather enjoy.

I take it there are no Unions in your lne of work then, because we have just got a manager here seriously reprimanded for something much less serious than that. Do a crazy on them - put the fear of death and murder into them, turn the tables. Look at the bullying thread for some hints and good luck.

Following Emma's lead in considering all possibilities, can't you leave and then threaten them with as much mud-slinging and legal stuff (Court of Human Rights etc. whatever it takes) when they demand the money back. Surely there must be something in your contract about them treating you within reasonable limits. If not, just blackmail them and take the story to the papers?

I really don't think that hacking at this for another 14 months is going to do you any good at all, and what about the next poor sod who gets your position when you're gone. It sounds like you are being treated completely unacceptably and you shouldn't have to put up with this. How big is your firm if its a big firm then could you go through an internal complaints, talk to someone in another department?

It must be tempting to put up with all this shite because of the whopping salary you'll probably earn in a few years being an experienced legal man.

I would LOVE Pete's job, I was an Ents Manager for a year and it was the best life ever. Peter, dya need an assistant?

Pete- you should be lucky to have Chris working for you. He is a source of endless entertainment.

I have a summer student today, so no-one will really touch me. But I plan to tell her what really happens here...

Incidentally, anyone know any places looking for a lawyer/promoter who'd probably be better in an executive position???

Hey, Americans posting on this thread: the employment laws here are not quite so evolved; that's basically why those in power in the UK are so iffy about joining Europe 4 Real, because their employees' human rights provisions would be much better. Paul's basically an apprentice and the culture he works in is pretty feudal. Am I imagining or is the office full of homosocial ex-public schoolboys who didn't ever have to worry about loans, etc?

Talk to the doctor the next time you see him about how he conveys information to your boss. You expect a more professional standard, obviously, and a bit of discretion under the circumstances.

My instinct is persevere, don't let this guy win. And yeah, they all went through that hazing bullshit but there is a thing called evolution and as excuses go, perpetuating a cycle of abuse isn't on.

Mark's Expose! solution also sounds promising and will make you feel better. Between us we probably know a few commissioning editors who would be interested. If you come to Picnic In The Sky (see: meet-up thread), which I hope you and Kate will, we can draw out plans.

I should be at the meet-up, though I have to dash off for Strange Fruit at about 3pm (soundchecks). We could all go to my office and graffiti it... ;)

Bill

In areas that Paul is talking about employment law is rarely invoked in any country as the fear of losing ones job and being in effect blacklisted is huge. The fear may well be greater than the reality - but its the fear that keeps us from doing most stuff anyway.

Also useful to stop getting stung big time by the taxman when the Lollies make it big.

Thus, I haven't been posting as much lately. :( I miss ILX already. I feel like ILX has already forgotten about me in like 2 days b/c no one cares about what kind of fish I can get for my desk.
I am pathetic. I need companionship.

In the meantime, I think I'll get some coffee.

don't

want

to

do

anything

no rly.

Classic. Having unemployed within the last year, I can say that a) it sucks and b) you feel pretty good at the end of a good day of work.

what do u do?

Work, when you actually have something to do, to keep you occupied and focused all day, is classic.

Right now, I am trapped in some kind of nightmare situation where I have to be in an office situation for 8 hours a day, with little to do and nothing to occupy the rest of the time.

But, no matter how bad it is, it is still not as bad as being trapped in that situation with that psychopath above. Even when it is not possible to go back through the internet and yell at your past self GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT NOW!!!! at least you can look back at the situation you were in, and think, even though it is bad now, it is not as bad as it was then.

^^^yeah, that's true, psychopaths should be avoided at all costs, agreed.

surmounter seconded.

or at least i don't want to do anything that i've been doing for the last nine fucking years.

SOMEONE EMPLOY ME PLZ