|
|
Post by jeremysgirl on Jul 16, 2024 17:17:21 GMT
Update: I got a project this afternoon! Should keep me busy a few days!!! Woo hoo!
OP: We have been sloooooow. Like for over a month. Slow, slow, slow. I am looking at most likely another month at least of this incredibly slow movement. Things should pick up end of August and then we will ride quickly until November. Then we will be dead until February.
I mean working from home I can put in a load of laundry or wash some dishes. But I feel compelled to be online and available consistently throughout my work hours. My coworker feels no such obligation and I can't remember the last time I needed something and was successfully able to call her during business hours. But my boss, in particular, has gotten very reliant on the fact that I am ready and available.
Problem is, I'm sitting here twiddling thumbs right now scrolling my phone all day which feels wasteful of my time and also feels like it's sucking the life right out of me.
I just keep wondering just what the hell I would be doing if I was forced into the office right now. This would be far worse. But yet, I can't seem to make myself walk away from my computer either despite working from home.
Is that silly? Has the world changed with WFH and my thinking is trapped in the before days? 😂 Should I take my dog for a walk like 15 times a day? 🤣 Is anyone going to die if I walk away from my computer for an hour and sew a couple of quilt squares together? 😉
|
|
|
|
Post by katlady on Jul 16, 2024 17:29:03 GMT
I bring things to my desk when work is slow. Things I can do at my desk like sorting bills, working in my journal, drawing, sort files on my personal computer, etc. So if someone needs me, I am still there at my computer. I even get up and tidy up the office room.
|
|
|
|
Post by revirdsuba99 on Jul 16, 2024 17:34:49 GMT
Good opportunity to extend your crafty time... 😊
|
|
|
|
Post by jeremysgirl on Jul 16, 2024 17:34:55 GMT
I bring things to my desk when work is slow. Things I can do at my desk like sorting bills, working in my journal, drawing, sort files on my personal computer, etc. So if someone needs me, I am still there at my computer. I even get up and tidy up the office room. Clearly I need a bigger desk and a more comfortable chair.  I'm joking. But only half way because I don't have much desk surface to work with. But I've got to start getting creative I think. It isn't always like this. But I love when I am busy all day. |
|
breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,584 
Location: PNW
|
Post by breetheflea on Jul 16, 2024 17:38:18 GMT
Portable table and craft supplies?
Audiobooks?
Bring a TV in there and binge something?
Knit or crochet?
|
|
|
|
Post by Merge on Jul 16, 2024 17:41:03 GMT
Do you have Teams or Slack or however she is contacting you on your phone? Or a smart watch? It seems like you could go about your business without remaining tethered to the computer.
|
|
|
|
Post by 950nancy on Jul 16, 2024 17:44:55 GMT
I have a friend who works from home and during her slow times, she brings stuff to craft on to her desk. She fussy cuts, plans layouts, watch YT for crafting ideas. She just has to be available.
|
|
|
|
Post by jeremysgirl on Jul 16, 2024 17:45:31 GMT
Do you have Teams or Slack or however she is contacting you on your phone? Or a smart watch? It seems like you could go about your business without remaining tethered to the computer. It is against company policy to have any work related tech on personal devices. If I wanted this kind of contact (and honestly I'm not sure I do) I have to push for a company issued iPhone or iPad. I am like 99% sure my boss would approve that if I wanted it. I just really don't like the idea of that because I really don't want to be contacted outside of my work hours. And my boss works at some very odd hours sometimes. I like being able to shut down at the end of my day and that be the end of it so I'm not sure I want to open that can of worms. |
|
|
|
Post by cmpeter on Jul 16, 2024 17:46:08 GMT
Are there are online courses or Ted talks that you could take to prepare you for your next career move?
Are there things your boss might suggest?
I hate slow times more than the hair on fire busy times.
|
|
|
|
Post by jeremysgirl on Jul 16, 2024 17:47:31 GMT
Portable table and craft supplies? Audiobooks? Bring a TV in there and binge something? Knit or crochet? Jeremy put together my current desk for me. He built it. It is small because at the time I was using it to scrapbook in a corner of the living room. I'm going to ask him if he will build me another and I can do an L shape. I'll bet he would find that good fun. That will give me more surface. |
|
|
|
Post by Merge on Jul 16, 2024 17:47:36 GMT
Do you have Teams or Slack or however she is contacting you on your phone? Or a smart watch? It seems like you could go about your business without remaining tethered to the computer. It is against company policy to have any work related tech on personal devices. If I wanted this kind of contact (and honestly I'm not sure I do) I have to push for a company issued iPhone or iPad. I am like 99% sure my boss would approve that if I wanted it. I just really don't like the idea of that because I really don't want to be contacted outside of my work hours. And my boss works at some very odd hours sometimes. I like being able to shut down at the end of my day and that be the end of it so I'm not sure I want to open that can of worms. I mean … you could leave the company issued device next to your computer at the end of the work day and ignore it like you do with your computer. What you’re doing now sounds miserable and it seems worth it to explore other options. |
|
peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,940
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
|
Post by peabay on Jul 16, 2024 17:47:38 GMT
I read books when things are slow...
|
|
|
|
Post by 950nancy on Jul 16, 2024 17:49:39 GMT
Portable table and craft supplies? Audiobooks? Bring a TV in there and binge something? Knit or crochet? Jeremy put together my current desk for me. He built it. It is small because at the time I was using it to scrapbook in a corner of the living room. I'm going to ask him if he will build me another and I can do an L shape. I'll bet he would find that good fun. That will give me more surface. When I traveled for work, I used the ironing board to craft.  I didn't use anything sticky though. I use Alex drawers as a base for a movable crafting table in my craft room. |
|
|
|
Post by jeremysgirl on Jul 16, 2024 17:54:46 GMT
It is against company policy to have any work related tech on personal devices. If I wanted this kind of contact (and honestly I'm not sure I do) I have to push for a company issued iPhone or iPad. I am like 99% sure my boss would approve that if I wanted it. I just really don't like the idea of that because I really don't want to be contacted outside of my work hours. And my boss works at some very odd hours sometimes. I like being able to shut down at the end of my day and that be the end of it so I'm not sure I want to open that can of worms. I mean … you could leave the company issued device next to your computer at the end of the work day and ignore it like you do with your computer. What you’re doing now sounds miserable and it seems worth it to explore other options. Good point! |
|
|
|
Post by jeremysgirl on Jul 16, 2024 18:01:21 GMT
I hate slow times more than the hair on fire busy times. Me too! Me too! And you know when it's like a slow day or even a slow week, sometimes it's welcome. But this has been persistent for over a month now. And I don't see an end to it for a while. |
|
|
|
Post by littlemama on Jul 16, 2024 18:52:17 GMT
I can see my computer from my couch, so I can sit and read and tell from the couch if I have any new emails
|
|
|
|
Post by heckofagal on Jul 16, 2024 18:52:59 GMT
I am the same way! I WFH every day and I hardly leave my desk. And we've never been as slow as I am right now. I have recently set up a table behind my desk with some of my craft projects. And today I actually went upstairs to start my pasta salad for Bunco tonight.
|
|
snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,342
Location: Colorado
|
Post by snyder on Jul 16, 2024 18:58:04 GMT
I know your boss has been a jacka$$, but could you ask him if there is any project you could do that would challenge you; that would be beneficial for comapnay growth like into a manager's position. Even though that might not be true or your goal, but sound better than I need more work cuz I'm bored.
|
|
|
|
Post by jeremysgirl on Jul 16, 2024 19:20:59 GMT
I can see my computer from my couch, so I can sit and read and tell from the couch if I have any new emails My problem is that my computer goes to sleep after ten minutes. And this is a company preset. So I can't change it. So I've got to actually be doing something on the computer. This is where it feels like it's a problem right. Because I mean what do you do? Crochet or read and have to break focus every ten minutes? Now I sound like I'm whining. I promise you I am not. I just like being busy. But feel like they are paying my butt to be in that chair and available for 8 hours a day. |
|
Just T
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,884
|
Post by Just T on Jul 16, 2024 19:24:26 GMT
I was going to suggest sitting in front of your computer and crochet. That must be frustrating and annoying. I hate when I don't have much to do during work times. |
|
Tearisci
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,247
Nov 6, 2018 16:34:30 GMT
|
Post by Tearisci on Jul 16, 2024 19:24:53 GMT
It is against company policy to have any work related tech on personal devices. If I wanted this kind of contact (and honestly I'm not sure I do) I have to push for a company issued iPhone or iPad. I am like 99% sure my boss would approve that if I wanted it. I just really don't like the idea of that because I really don't want to be contacted outside of my work hours. And my boss works at some very odd hours sometimes. I like being able to shut down at the end of my day and that be the end of it so I'm not sure I want to open that can of worms. I mean … you could leave the company issued device next to your computer at the end of the work day and ignore it like you do with your computer. What you’re doing now sounds miserable and it seems worth it to explore other options. I have Slack on both my work laptop and my personal laptop and my phone so I can respond as need be no matter what device I'm on. I'm super slow up through the end of the month and it's driving me crazy. I have to work from 9-6 but mostly I just monitor Slack and emails when I'm through with my work for the day to show that I am available should something come up. |
|
|
|
Post by jeremysgirl on Jul 16, 2024 19:30:34 GMT
I WFH every day and I hardly leave my desk. And we've never been as slow as I am right now. It is torture, isn't it? Even though that might not be true or your goal, but sound better than I need more work cuz I'm bored. I almost hate to do it after all the protest I have put up about being overworked for a year and a half. I mean yikes! How do I say, I was under incredible stress for a very long time because she wouldn't work. And now, she's working a bit, but compared to the output I could be giving if I had more to do, I am bored? I feel like I put myself right between a rock and a hard place on this one. I just wanted a happy medium. LOL! |
|
|
|
Post by jeremysgirl on Jul 16, 2024 19:33:15 GMT
I have to work from 9-6 but mostly I just monitor Slack and emails when I'm through with my work for the day to show that I am available should something come up. I am unwilling to do this. I am available during my work hours and I am here, willing to do the work of even two people I've proven. But I'm not willing to be at their beck and call on my time. I don't trust (see my work thread) my boss not to take advantage of my time outside of my work hours. I'm holding firm on that. |
|
|
|
Post by padresfan619 on Jul 16, 2024 19:44:50 GMT
My job is a lot like that. I either am completely slammed and there’s not enough hours in the day or I am scrolling through Reddit, online shopping, or making my grocery list while I wait for an email to come in. I WFH and my set up is in my bedroom. When it is slow I pull up my email and watch something on tv or read or do whatever. As long as I’m in front of my computer.
Before Covid I did my same job in person and the workload was very similar. I’d either be frantic and busy all day without a chance to eat or I’d be sitting around waiting and scrolling on my phone. I felt less guilty then because I had to be there in person. There’s something that feels wrong about being at home and charging for my time, but I’m ready and available so after a few weeks I got over it.
|
|
|
|
Post by jeremysgirl on Jul 16, 2024 19:51:40 GMT
My job is a lot like that. I either am completely slammed and there’s not enough hours in the day or I am scrolling through Reddit, online shopping, or making my grocery list while I wait for an email to come in. I WFH and my set up is in my bedroom. When it is slow I pull up my email and watch something on tv or read or do whatever. As long as I’m in front of my computer. Before Covid I did my same job in person and the workload was very similar. I’d either be frantic and busy all day without a chance to eat or I’d be sitting around waiting and scrolling on my phone. I felt less guilty then because I had to be there in person. There’s something that feels wrong about being at home and charging for my time, but I’m ready and available so after a few weeks I got over it. This is where I think corporate America does it wrong. We are not a manufacturing society where I can continuously make 50 widgets an hour for 8 hours. The knowledge economy works differently. My work goes in cycles and phases. It would be nice to just get paid one set sum and work until the job is done. This is of course, providing that the job is not so jam packed you are drowning week after week with no end in sight. I'm just saying sometimes I think the labor rules need to be rewritten for a completely different economy. |
|
|
|
Post by grammadee on Jul 16, 2024 20:03:26 GMT
Can you get a phone headset like drive-thru order takers have, then set up your work computer to ping that when work comes in? Then you can leave your desk to get things done around the house, even just walk some laps around the house to keep the blood flowing. When I worked from home I never felt guilty about doing laundry or kitchen chores during the work day, cuz once I signed in, my HEAD was in the workplace, so while my hands were folding clothes or peeling potatoes, my head was solving work problems, reviewing what I had just drafted, planning next steps. I would be more worried in your shoes, jeremysgirl, with the company I was working for going under, or their cutting staff to save costs if work is so slow. |
|
Harper Lee
Shy Member
Posts: 42
Jun 25, 2014 22:25:52 GMT
|
Post by Harper Lee on Jul 16, 2024 20:41:46 GMT
Are there online trainings you could do? That way you’d be learning something and feeling productive and it’s work adjacent.
|
|
Tearisci
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,247
Nov 6, 2018 16:34:30 GMT
|
Post by Tearisci on Jul 16, 2024 20:42:11 GMT
I have to work from 9-6 but mostly I just monitor Slack and emails when I'm through with my work for the day to show that I am available should something come up. I am unwilling to do this. I am available during my work hours and I am here, willing to do the work of even two people I've proven. But I'm not willing to be at their beck and call on my time. I don't trust (see my work thread) my boss not to take advantage of my time outside of my work hours. I'm holding firm on that. Oh I'm the same way. I didn't mean for all hours just that it gives me flexibility to not be right in front of my laptop all the time and can still respond. |
|
|
|
Post by katlady on Jul 16, 2024 20:42:51 GMT
I can see my computer from my couch, so I can sit and read and tell from the couch if I have any new emails My problem is that my computer goes to sleep after ten minutes. And this is a company preset. So I can't change it. So I've got to actually be doing something on the computer. This is where it feels like it's a problem right. Because I mean what do you do? Crochet or read and have to break focus every ten minutes? Now I sound like I'm whining. I promise you I am not. I just like being busy. But feel like they are paying my butt to be in that chair and available for 8 hours a day. Jiggle the mouse every 5-8 minutes. 😂 |
|
|
|
Post by Bridget in MD on Jul 16, 2024 21:09:57 GMT
My problem is that my computer goes to sleep after ten minutes. And this is a company preset. So I can't change it. So I've got to actually be doing something on the computer. This is where it feels like it's a problem right. Because I mean what do you do? Crochet or read and have to break focus every ten minutes? Now I sound like I'm whining. I promise you I am not. I just like being busy. But feel like they are paying my butt to be in that chair and available for 8 hours a day. Jiggle the mouse every 5-8 minutes. 😂 well it is amazon prime day... www.amazon.com/VKAROOD-Jiggler-Undetectable-Breathing-Computer/dp/B0BRCRY4P7 |
|
I'm joking. But only half way because I don't have much desk surface to work with. But I've got to start getting creative I think. 
I didn't use anything sticky though. I use Alex drawers as a base for a movable crafting table in my craft room.
