Well, its finally happening: My employer is starting to transition us back to the office.
We’ve been Teleworking just fine for 2 years, and they’ve decided that now’s the time apparently.
Background: I train new hires at a large credit union. As support staff we are slated to be among the first wave(outside of those who never left anyway) to return and test the waters. We knew it was coming but just didn’t know when. We were supposed to have a slow transition back and stay in a hybrid format but of course that was a lie.
Instead of the buffer month we were supposed to have, nearly every trainer has been assigned to a class in-person on campus during the transition month. So that means we are all going to be full time, on campus, en-masse for at least a month and a half straight with a variety of schedules. On top of that we will have very little time to prepare and adapt to the new new normal because of course, all of our procedures are changing at the same time as the transition.
To be honest I am LIVID. I hate that we are going back at all since we have done so well in virt over the past couple of years. My work life balance has improved dramatically despite having a schedule that can swing between nights and days at the drop of a hat and despite being in a position that is frankly not fully appreciated by the organization at large. I really don’t want to go back but I feel as though there isn’t much I can do about it. I feel betrayed because I truly like this job and the people I work with.
I know the normal response is “Well find another job” but I can’t, trust me. I’ve actually been keeping my eye out for another position for nearly a year now and there just isn’t anything in my area that comes close to what I get with this company. I get benefits that are HEAVILY subsidized. My base pay is nearly 80k a year, I have an actual, honest to god PENSION on top of a good 401k. All of that is just the main benefits and there are extras on top of that. My actual work is also enjoyable which is a plus. The company itself isn’t THAT evil either since we are a not for profit. To get a job that provides anything even in the ballpark of this with my current position would require extra schooling or a major move to a new area. (Side note: Cost of Living in my area is one of the lowest in the US and nearly anywhere else would be an increase to COL)
Sorry for the rant but I just had to get it out since I feel trapped. I’ll probably feel better after I meditate later but damn it if I’m not gonna feel these feelings for a while.
Anyway, have a great day/weekend/existence everyone!