Work/Life Balance

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Anyone else a bit f***ed off with their work/life balance at the moment. I haven't left work on time once in the last six months but despite being stupidly busy they would prefer to work us to the bone rather than employ anyone new.

When I hear people say the twenties should be the best years of your life I can't help but feel a bit like I've been robbed. And whilst the management go home to their comfortable lives me and my twenty something colleague work long hours and eek out livings to be told 'we'll soon reep the benefits'. Like f***.

Another evening on a train with the bored and lifeless faces of middle management on their way back from London. What a crock. Yes, I know, I should be 'grateful' or something.

 

[Nibble]

Why are you staying late if you are not getting properly compensated for it? There is only one person whose fault it is if you not standing up for yourself.

 

[Westdene Seagull]

Anyone else a bit f***ed off with their work/life balance at the moment. I haven't left work on time once in the last six months but despite being stupidly busy they would prefer to work us to the bone rather than employ anyone new.

When I hear people say the twenties should be the best years of your life I can't help but feel a bit like I've been robbed. And whilst the management go home to their comfortable lives me and my twenty something colleague work long hours and eek out livings to be told 'we'll soon reep the benefits'. Like f***.

Another evening on a train with the bored and lifeless faces of middle management on their way back from London. What a crock. Yes, I know, I should be 'grateful' or something.

I know where you're coming from but as someone who was made redundant at the beginning of the recession, who's partner was made redundant earlier this year AND my company are about to start a redundancy process, I'd say you should be happy you've got a job at the moment.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Why are you staying late if you are not getting properly compensated for it? There is only one person whose fault it is if you not standing up for yourself.

"Bonus".

I'm not having a whinge, about my situation (well, I am) just curious about others current situation.

 

[Nibble]

"Bonus".

I'm not having a whinge, about my situation (well, I am) just curious about others current situation.

I am not having a go but one should work extra for a bonus. if the bonus is shite, don't work as much.

 

[simpleton]

If its any consolation I went through the same thing, as many people do. I made a conscious decision in my 30s not to seek to go as 'high' as I could but with every job change improve my situation - for me that meant not commuting, not having to manage people (ALWAYS an effing nightmare), work late or travel a lot to dull places. It takes some time but if you make the right choices (and get some luck) you'll get there.

 

[Sausage]

I've got the opposite problem. Too much life not enough work.
I was made redundant over a year ago and despite applying for over 150 jobs of many different kinds my return has been 7 replies (negative) and 1 interview (unsuccessful).
I've got 9 O Levels, 3 A Levels, a 2.1 BA(Hons) and an MA and I hold chartered status MRTPI and CMILT and I can't get a sniff of work, even for jobs at 1/2 my previous salary.
It was grand at first..I had a redundancy payment..I redecorated the house, went walking, learnt piano, went swimming etc.
Now I'm going bankrupt and and becoming miserable.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

I've got the opposite problem. Too much life not enough work.
I was made redundant over a year ago and despite applying for over 150 jobs of many different kinds my return has been 7 replies (negative) and 1 interview (unsuccessful).
I've got 9 O Levels, 3 A Levels, a 2.1 BA(Hons) and an MA and I hold chartered status MRTPI and CMILT and I can't get a sniff of work, even for jobs at 1/2 my previous salary.
It was grand at first..I had a redundancy payment..I redecorated the house, went walking, learnt piano, went swimming etc.
Now I'm going bankrupt and and becoming miserable.

Shit, sorry to hear that. Way to make me feel like an arsehole.

 

[Sausage]

Shit, sorry to hear that. Way to make me feel like an arsehole.

Ha. No, that wasn't my intention at all. I can easily remember exactly where you're coming from with your original post.

 

[Durlston]

It feels worse between November and March with the lack of light. Hard to keep depression away with Seasonal Affective Disorder but only a month to the shortest day and then it starts getting lighter - slowly.

 

[METALMICKY]

I know where you're coming from but as someone who was made redundant at the beginning of the recession, who's partner was made redundant earlier this year AND my company are about to start a redundancy process, I'd say you should be happy you've got a job at the moment.

Could not agree more. Now redundant after 28 years working for the NHS and at the age of 46 seriously concerned as to what is out there.

 

[Chicken Runner61]

You are not alone in thinking this. We were saying much the same at work today.

Life seems to have changed since the millennium - Every thing seemed to be moving fast and then we hit a brick wall. We had 10 years of wild spending causing a boom and now we will have 15 years of hardship. Its not a local political problem coz its worldwide. Its as if suddenly the world population has grown so big its causing chaos.

At the risk of sounding like an old gitI feel sorry for someone in their twenties trying to have a good time while they are supposedly in the best years of their life. Going out pubbing, clubbing or dining doesn't seem to be as good as it used to. And most other entertainment seems pretty crap in comparison.

Going out in Brighton used to be brilliant - nowadays everywhere seems the same and for most of the night pubs and clubs seem empty. We used to go out every night of the week - how I got to work the next day I'll never know.
Music was better, going footie was better and don't get me started on music.

Everyone all seem so stressed today too

 

[JamesAndTheGiantHead]

My shifts suit me, but I work 3 weekends out of 4 a month. Although with our strange fixture list, it hasn't affected my game attendance too much. It's still pretty rubbish having to have a mock-weekend on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when everyone else is working.

 

[Mutts Nuts]

I've got the opposite problem. Too much life not enough work.
I was made redundant over a year ago and despite applying for over 150 jobs of many different kinds my return has been 7 replies (negative) and 1 interview (unsuccessful).
I've got 9 O Levels, 3 A Levels, a 2.1 BA(Hons) and an MA and I hold chartered status MRTPI and CMILT and I can't get a sniff of work, even for jobs at 1/2 my previous salary.
It was grand at first..I had a redundancy payment..I redecorated the house, went walking, learnt piano, went swimming etc.
Now I'm going bankrupt and and becoming miserable.

Sorry to here about your situation mate,in my experience once you have experience qualifications count for little.To prospective employers you are only as good as your last contract,learn from yourself to sell yourself and experience you will soon be rewarded,good luck for the future and hope you get some work soon.

 

[Sausage]

Thankyou.

 

[Lethargic]

I know the feeling and I'm in my forties it a tough one they push and push and then anyone who doesn't "go the extra mile" is first when the redundancies come round. I do balance work/home better now but in the present climate I am convinced companies use it to control us and take advantage.

 

[simpleton]

I've got the opposite problem. Too much life not enough work.
I was made redundant over a year ago and despite applying for over 150 jobs of many different kinds my return has been 7 replies (negative) and 1 interview (unsuccessful).
I've got 9 O Levels, 3 A Levels, a 2.1 BA(Hons) and an MA and I hold chartered status MRTPI and CMILT and I can't get a sniff of work, even for jobs at 1/2 my previous salary.
It was grand at first..I had a redundancy payment..I redecorated the house, went walking, learnt piano, went swimming etc.
Now I'm going bankrupt and and becoming miserable.

If you are professionally qualified its always worth hawking yourself around as a consultant or temporary contractor. Lots of organisations are wary about recruiting new permanent members of staff in uncertain times but still have work that needs to be done.

 

[drew]

I am not having a go but one should work extra for a bonus. if the bonus is shite, don't work as much.

Surely you work extra for overtime. A bonus should be if you reach targets or excel at what you do regardless of whether that is in normal or overtime hours.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I've got the opposite problem. Too much life not enough work.
I was made redundant over a year ago and despite applying for over 150 jobs of many different kinds my return has been 7 replies (negative) and 1 interview (unsuccessful).
I've got 9 O Levels, 3 A Levels, a 2.1 BA(Hons) and an MA and I hold chartered status MRTPI and CMILT and I can't get a sniff of work, even for jobs at 1/2 my previous salary.
It was grand at first..I had a redundancy payment..I redecorated the house, went walking, learnt piano, went swimming etc.
Now I'm going bankrupt and and becoming miserable.

You certainly don't seem to be lacking in qualifications. Can I be nosey and ask what you did for a job before being made redundant? It could well be there's somebody on here in the same line of work that might be able to suggest a new or different way of approaching the job hunt to improve your chances.

 

[beorhthelm]

work/life balance? wonder how your parents or grand parents managed their work/life balance? did the term even exist 20, 30 years ago?