On the move again

[debih]

I have a new job.

I started here at the estate agents in June and I hate it. It was a shock to the system anyway going from 18 hours a week to 30 (plus 6 hours every other Saturday) but it wasn't so much the hours as the people. I thought I'd like working with Sally - I've known her since we went to school together and we also worked together at another estate agents, although she was at a different branch to me. But she is awful. She rarely speaks to me (I don't expect her to be pally pally but a good morning would be nice!!!) and other than Jo who I am doing lettings with I really don't like any of the other staff. The sales team are very cliquey and treat lettings as second class citizens. I don't know how Jo puts up with it!

When I started back in June they sprung on me that instead of doing lettings I would be covering for the sales administrator for three months whilst she was off sick. That was fine. I had three days training with her and after that was never asked if I needed any help or was coping ok - I was just expected to get on and do it. She came back in mid September and a few days later we had our appraisals (very odd - no prior notice of them, just sprung on us on the day. Apart from the sales staff - they didn't have to have one!). They bought in a consultant who had never met any of us and my "appraisal" was awful. They moaned that I had made lots of mistakes (when pushed they were able to give two spelling mistakes as an example) and said that at my interview I had indicated that I could be very flexible with the hours I worked and that I hadn't been - when pushed they were unable to give me any examples although I could give them half a dozen examples of when I had been flexible with my hours to suit them.

I came out of the appraisal absolutely steaming!!! It also clashed with something very personal that was happening at home - which the MD and office manager were very aware of - and really just sent me into a downward spiral of miserableness!

I immediately started looking for jobs. I applied for four jobs - three with the council and one with the NHS so all took ages from closing date to actually being contacted and then they all came in at once. I turned one interview down as it was full time and they wouldn't consider job share. I had an interview last Thursday (had to ring in sick at work for it) for a housing assistant at Chesterfield council - decided pretty much straight away that it wasn't the job for me. On Friday I had an interview at the local doctors surgery for a reception/admin team member - I came out of the interview buzzing although as the day went on I over analysed it and ended up deciding that it was the worst interview I had ever given! Then yesterday I was off sick, full of cold, I had a phone interview for another job (first stage - I should hear at the beginning of next week if I have got to second interview stage).

However, yesterday I had a phone call from the housing job offering me that - turned it down as I knew it wasn't for me. Then in the afternoon the doctors rang and offered me that one. Which I immediately accepted. I'm so excited.

Its 22 hours a week over 3 days. Monday 8am to 3.30pm with an hour for lunch, Tuesday 9.30am to 8pm with an hour for lunch and a half hour tea break and Wednesday 8am to 1.30pm. With scope for doing extra hours to cover for sickness and holidays. And they are happy for me to do my adoption panel - where I am now have been really awkward about allowing me the time off.

I should have it in writing tomorrow and then on Thursday I'm going to hand my notice in at this hell hole. I'm hoping that they won't hold me to the full one month notice. I'd like to go at the end of November, if not before.

So hopefully within the next month I will have more time and, more importantly just be so much happier. I've been so miserable here that some nights I've actually gone home and cried!

[Ally]

Sorry to hear you've been miserable in your job - but huge congratulations and good luck on your new appointment.

I love my working hours as they allow me hours in the morning to do as I please then I still finish early enough to have a social life in the evening. Work/life balance is so important.

Congratulations again Debih. xxx

[jenniren]

So pleased you've got the job you were hoping for Debih

[Diflower]

This one sounds just right Debih; I have a couple of friends who are current and retired doctors' receptionists and both did/have done the same job for years, they really enjoy it still.
Good luck with the notice xx

[saundra]

Well done sounds like just the job for you

[meriad]

I'm glad you've found another job Debih and fingers crossed you don't have to work a full months notice. Do you have any leave still owing to you that you could use?
and

Totally 100% agree with Ally - work/life balance is so important; the old job sounds a right nightmare. And coming home and crying is not good at all; no-one should be doing that. So fingers crossed for the contract in the post tomorrow and your handing in your notice on Thursday; that'll be such a weight off your shoulders. Big ((((hug)))))

[debih]

This one sounds just right Debih; I have a couple of friends who are current and retired doctors' receptionists and both did/have done the same job for years, they really enjoy it still.
Good luck with the notice xx

My friend used to work at the surgery as a district nurse and I asked her about the place before I applied. She said that all the receptionists have been there for ages (I think this job has come up because one of them is retiring) and love it. She says that they all have a fab social life as they organise lots of work do's and nights outs and she thinks I will fit right in.

[Diflower]

Fingers very firmly crossed for you Debih xx

[Gal]

I've been so miserable here that some nights I've actually gone home and cried!

Know that feeling well!! Unlike you though, I haven't gone job hunting - I think at the back of my mind I would rather soldier on where I am with the knowledge/experience I have, than take a leap into the unknown. It's my age I think.

Happy for you

[debih]

I've been so miserable here that some nights I've actually gone home and cried!

Know that feeling well!! Unlike you though, I haven't gone job hunting - I think at the back of my mind I would rather soldier on where I am with the knowledge/experience I have, than take a leap into the unknown. It's my age I think.

Happy for you

I couldn't do that Gal. You spend too much of your time at work to be somewhere that makes you miserable. I'd rather take that leap.