Last week went like this:
Day 1 (Monday) was boring. I spent the morning doing training in their computer systems, and the rest of the day experimenting with them. No one gave me any work so I took a full hour lunch break and had a nice walk in the sun.
Day 2 proved that day 1 was an anomoly never to be repeated. Work was heaped on me, and it was the first of the standard day there where there is no time for lunch. I was still lucky enough to be able to leave the office at 7pm. My supervising partner was annoyed that I hadn't had email access set up on my smartphone yet as "you need 24/7 email access immediately".
Day 3 saw me getting to work at 7:15am for an early teleconference. I left at 7:45pm, which seems to be the regular end time on a good day for most lawyers there.
Day 4 saw me arriving at 7:30am and leaving at 9:45pm, after being stuck in a 4 hour meeting all afternoon which didn't allow me to finish my other tasks that were due the next morning. When I got back from the meetings at 7pm, there was a note on my desk from a support staff asking me to bring in my computer the next day to have remote access set up (at the partner's request). I need to organise to have frozen dinners in the freezer there as work doesn't provide meals (unless there is a major deal on and everyone is in the office all night).
Day 5 (Friday) saw me arriving at 7:30am and leaving at 7:30pm. The Partner called me in the discuss some research I'd done and it turned out I was wrong and had missed the point of what I was supposed to be looking for. Felt dumb. Most people leave then or earlier on a Friday night if possible, but will be in on the weekend to work anyway. I got remote access set up on my laptop as I had work to do over the weekend from home too.
I am exhausted and not sleeping well because I have bad dreams about work related stresses (which is to be expected). I feel really stupid because it's a new area of law for me and I am highly inefficient (and have to research everything because I don't even know the basics). Again this is totally to be expected, and I'm working on riding the wave and not getting upset (although I struggle with this!). I'm going to be working very long hours regardless of how busy my area is for at least the first few months, because it's a very steep learning curve.
So... if you don't see many blog posts from me, it's because I don't have time during the week to write. I have been reading your blogs but last week at least I didn't have time to comment much. At work I am flat out and by the time I get home I am ready for dinner, shower and bed. Even this post is prewritten on Saturday morning (I know, aren't I the efficient one...)
Who knows whether I'll survive in this environment and if so for how long!
((((hugs))) you will do great, I am sure. If you decide it's too much it is never too late to change your mind either. Just take it one day at a time and try (if possible) to put your laptop away for an hour or so before bed and have a nice relaxing bath, or treat yourself to a massage on the weekends. Good luck - you will be amazing.
ReplyDeleteGood lord, you´re a long way away from public servant hours ! Hang in there, hopefully you´ll get out as much as you put in, good luck !
ReplyDeleteSounds really tough! Hope it gets easier (although it doesn't sound as though your days will get any shorter...)
ReplyDeleteI feel terrible for you. I have had a similar experience these last 2 weeks at my new job. A great deal of stress and 11hr days. I completely understand. I hope you start to feel more comfortable there soon x
ReplyDeleteWow, this sounds like a really tough job :( Hopefully you're able to settle in and be comfortable there soon, or if you change your mind find something a little less stressful. Either way, I'm sending you lots of well wishes to get you through your second week! xx
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone! I am going okay and finding it exciting, but I may be running on adrenalin and heading towards a crash sometime in the future. Only time will tell!
ReplyDeleteAre you serious???? That doesn't sound like a job, it sounds like a jail term! I can't believe employers get away with that. Unless it pays $1000 a week, I'd be looking for another job pronto.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa, long time no speak. Just catching up on some blog posts from the last couple of weeks and I read yours. I'm with Gina, I can't believe what some employers can get away with! Those hours are crazy, it's not fair for anyone to have to work that much, let alone a Mum! I hope it's going ok but take care of yourself, as you said above you might come crashing down in a heap before long.
ReplyDeletePS I just noticed you're now over 100 followers! That's awesome, way to go! I remember not too long ago you had a little giveaway for when you reached 50 followers :)
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