If senior management team know I'm not good at my job & the people I work with know I'm terrible at my job, should I just leave the job?

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Gauntlets28@reddit

You should stay in the job if you can, and try to find another job. Don't let the fact that these pricks are making you miserable force you into an unpleasant financial situation if you can help it. Realistically though, there is a chance that these miserable people will fire you eventually - if this is the vibe after six months, you might be let go, since there's no protections until you get past two years. But you shouldn't give them the satisfaction of leaving before you have to, for the reason I've mentioned. Don't help them by doing their dirty work. If you've only been with them, are you still on probation? Frankly though, you're beating yourself far too much in my opinion. You seem like you're struggling with your self esteem anyway. Any company with the kind of nasty, vicious culture where people resort to name calling over actually trying to support you as a first resort *six months after you joined* is not a place you want to stick around. A few top tips - don't talk to the people causing you hassle except for purely professional reasons, and keep it cool. Communicate through written channels like email if possible, so that you have documentation if they get nasty with you, and so you can prepare your answers carefully, using things like evidence to back up your counter-claims. Do not send an email in anger - that is a bad idea that will make things worse. If you can, get HR involved and explain the impact the behaviour of these people is having on your mental health. This is a good time to wheel out any psychiatric terms that seem appropriate.

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SenSel@reddit (OP)

Thank you for your kind words.

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DotCottonCandy@reddit

Do not leave. If you’re not performing well, is there anything that would help you improve? You’re not a lost cause, you’re just really down on yourself. If you ask for some support they might be able to give it. I don’t know if your company is one that’s helpful or not, but it’s worth trying before quitting at the very least.

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SenSel@reddit (OP)

Thank you for your kind words.

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Hyrules_Saviour@reddit

You need therapy mate. Anyone can do anything

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taulish_paul@reddit

Not sure why you think their opinions mean you really are underperforming. Most work cultures are sick. Maybe you don't fit in, the only significant issue is your unease with it. Many people can't perceive their inadequacy - maybe your only real problem is that you can see your limitations, which should in life be a hugely useful skill. Please see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect?. I suggest you keep taking your salary, look into your personal well being, and consider lining up a new job. Stop feeling guilty for nothing!

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Mundane-Living-3630@reddit

No - make them fire you ( if they even do that ), so you at least get some severance.

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stickywinger@reddit

You don't get severance if you are sacked. At best, you get your notice period, which is the same you will get if you hand in your notice.. duh

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oncejumpedoutatrain@reddit

Do not leave! every company I've ever worked for has had crap training, they put you in situations they should know to prepare you for but don't. There are people that power through these situations by putting undue stress on themselves only to be paid like everyone else. If you think they have identified you as a weaker team member but haven't made plans to support you, that's on them. Just keep doing your best and try to get as much feedback and support as possible. Do not quit, and do not feel bad, jobs are scarce.

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stickywinger@reddit

I agree with what you have said but it's hard to not feel bad, depressed, feel like everyone is talking about you behind your back etc and the thoughts those can bring on do not help the situation. I'd argue that finding a new job could alleviate a lot of the shitty feelings.

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ThatLNGuy@reddit

I mean if they wanted to get rid of you they would have? Why not just keep at the job until you find something new.

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Ok_Cow_3431@reddit

> I mean if they wanted to get rid of you they would have? not necessarily. Can be a whole world of tribunal hurt and reputational damage for getting rid of people, that's why people being 'managed out' is a thing

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Limp-Archer-7872@reddit

I think you are suffering from depression and possibly have ADHD or similar given your actually doing work issues. Please try seeing a GP asap although the latter is a slow process in the UK to get a diagnosis. But in the meantime try one of the work focus apps perhaps? Getting a new job when depressed is not a good idea.

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froghogdog19@reddit

Yep, as an AuDHDer I really see myself in this. I really feel for OP, it’s fucking hard.

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dekker87@reddit

WFH really showed me how my adhd has affected my career...being able to work at my own pace and with no limits on the hours i worked really improved my performance. if i didnt want to do anything i simply didnt....until i had to....which led to me working til midnight a few times but ultimately i was hitting targets and deadlines which much less stress than when i was in the office 9 hours a day.

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MilkMyCats@reddit

Depression seems very likely. Maybe I'm a bit ADHD as well. I sometimes just stare at the laptop at home and don't even want to open an email. I think that's the depression part and having no passion for my work. I used to, but it just becomes the same old shit pretty quickly. But when I get going I do what should take me 4 hours in an hour. It helps that I've got about 20 macros and a few batch files that do the work in seconds that takes everyone else in the team hours. Even then I can't really be arsed. Just saving a file takes so long at home due to our company's slow servers. When a 7.5kb.file takes 30 seconds to ssve, it's not good. I have a 50mb spreadsheet I have to save several times a day. That takes 1.5 minutes each time. I'm in the office 2 days a week and work (and talk and laugh) solidly for 7.5 hours. At home I do about 2 hours work a day. That's my macro and batch file days. If I do have ADHD, I don't even see the point of being diagnosed with it. I'm 50 now and speedy drugs aren't something that interests my heart. I'm just gonna cope until retirement.

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Agitated-Handle-7750@reddit

Have you considered alternative treatments or therapies to help? Another 15 years of just scraping by seems an unfair burden to put on yourself.

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Bubbly_Possible9057@reddit

>But when I get going I do what should take me 4 hours in an hour. >It helps that I've got about 20 macros and a few batch files that do the work in seconds that takes everyone else in the team hours. Woah! Stop right there. We've worked this out. I'm the same. I was doing 4 people's jobs at my last company after already making 5 people redundant through automation. 50yo potential ADHDer here too. I don't understand what metrics you're tanking on. Don't put it down to hrs worked please.

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AtomicKaijuKing@reddit

OP basically sounds like my situation. Our department got restructured back in September 2023 & I was able to get a new role at a higher grade, could not engage with the work & really struggled to self manage which was made worse by having a colleague in the same role literally flying through the work and doing extra stuff while I hardly did the minimum. Changed roles to another team at the same grade & it's the same thing, hadn't felt like that since school. After a 2 year wait, last November I got diagnosed with inattentive ADHD. I now understand I am not suitable for the work in my department so looking at redeployment. Fortunately working for a local university there are plenty of different roles that would be better suited for me.

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SenSel@reddit (OP)

Thank you for sharing this. I want to go into work knowing I'm doing a good job. I just don't know what and where that'll be.

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LegitimateDraw3902@reddit

Was going to say the same thing. OP has basically described me, and my therapist and GP have both suggested ADHD although not been diagnosed. It’s tough at times but therapy has helped a bit and also read a great book, The Chimp Paradox. OP - I highly recommend it as it really resonated with me and as I said, you sound like you’ve similar behaviours to me. Good luck.

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Pantsman_Crothers@reddit

It sounds like you are being overly harsh on yourself here. I know its difficult sometimes, but focus on the things you have accomplished, rather than the percrived negative side. It might help to talk to someone outside of your sphere, who can provide a different perspective that is outside of what you think? What you think and what people see can be wildly different.

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LoFi-Duke@reddit

There are many many people in very senior positions who are not competent. I witness it all the time where government decision makers get 'subject matter experts' to consult, but it's worryingly basic and strange questioning - demonstrating not even a Google search level of knowledge in whatever policy or legislation they are covering. Foreign affairs representatives have to be drip fed basic knowledge before meeting counterparts by their teams so they don't look absolutley clueless, many of them still grasp a lack of understanding of the culture and history of the country they are representing. Genuinely, don't let it bother you. Ask for support where you need it. If you are keen to try something new, be open in your catchups with your line manager about career aspirations and a 'better fit'. Don't leave your job until you have something different in place. There are very few openings. AI is decimating entry level positions and organisations are all fixated on 'cost effectiveness' (the Elon Musk shoestring approach).

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Gauntlets28@reddit

>government decision makers get 'subject matter experts' to consult, but it's worryingly basic and strange questioning That sounds so frustrating. As someone whose job is to interview people on a regular basis about their professional life, there's nothing that aggravates me more than someone asking an expert questions that should have been background research.

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jeminar@reddit

The fact that you've always managed to 'muddle through and complete' tells me you're not useless or stupid. True space wasters don't complete things.

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TrainingAsparagus918@reddit

You work in the civil service don’t you? They have their own Reddit which you would know if.. oh well. Look, if the new work didn’t gel with you enough for you to do it to a mediocre level which is what you are being paid for there are two things: one you are substantially your grade because you have mediocre churned it out consistently before, so you can ask for other more suited work, or ask for coaching, two you can look for a sideways move elsewhere where you can report your compliance with the requirements of the role leaving out your mediocrity in the STARR method and hope the senior managers there are more competent than the ones bandying around ‘useless’ and publishing metrics without doing anything they are paid for: managing it. Everyone is winging it to an extent, but hoping for the axe because it’s current unbearable is not the thing. You have got this.

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sqkz69oioi@reddit

You're far too self aware to be actually stupid, I suspect this is down to lack of training and/or depression and adhd

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Affectionate-Use8700@reddit

Look up 'impostor syndrome'. And you aren't 'stealing' anything nor are you responsible for blocking anyone's advancement . Plus stupid people don't have this level of self awareness.

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CautiousCapsLock@reddit

The last line is very much true, as soon as you look at yourself in this way, you’re intelligence isn’t a factor

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ClacksInTheSky@reddit

Exactly. Genuinely stupid people think they're the smartest and most cleverest person in any given room (presumably, so thick, even the rooms they're not in) and can't fathom finding out they're not.

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MonsieurGump@reddit

I’ve met a couple of genuinely stupid people who’ve convinced themselves they’ve got imposter syndrome. Nah. Mate, I’ve known you 30 years and you were still eating the glue sticks in high school.

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roja_85@reddit

Imposter syndrome is real, I've been dealing with it forever. I always feel like I'm getting by.

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Sea-Cranberry-2@reddit

this!!! i have really struggled with this.Even though i'm the longest staff member in my position. Also iv just got a distinction on a management diploma that work have made me do. It's all in your head.

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SirChinfor@reddit

Same here (genuinely could have written this myself) If you are feeling low regarding the job then look elsewhere but also if they’re not getting rid of you then they must find value in you being there and doing the job, so that’s a plus!

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SenSel@reddit (OP)

I hope you find some peace with your situation.

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asuka_rice@reddit

Maybe you’ve worked at the company many years and they’d simply dumb down your duties to push you to get bored and quit. Sometimes this nudge tactic is better than paying you a fat redundancy cheque for your long service to the company.

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shain-7@reddit

Chill bro, you’re doing alright. Key is to do the minimum. The shit that makes the noise you do and complete to a minimum standard. Worst case ChatGPT that shit man and make it your own

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Syzygyy182@reddit

Did you pass your probation?

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james8807@reddit

You could double down and try to improve mate, better to stay in employment if you want out, even better than that, they will give you a stellar recommendation if they want you out

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robster9090@reddit

Yes if you’re not capable of doing your role and you show no sign of being able to improve or don’t want to. Yes

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lazy-buoy@reddit

No, you are doing great by just having a job. It's the company's responsibility to ensure you have what you need to achive what they need, What ever your job is, just do your best at it and do as much of it as you can in your work hours and nobody can ask any more of you.

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AndromedaFire@reddit

May be worth a talk with the boss to get some feedback first. Maybe some training. I’ve had people work for me before that were far from the best but are kept for other reasons like rock solid dependability or simply as workhorse to do the grunt work. Even if the feedback is bad a step down or sideways may be better than leaving and having no job.

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HeronOld8366@reddit

If you’re feeling like this, my best advice would be to just give minimum effort and wait until they fire you😂. I did this and ended up basically getting 3 years worth of pay for minimal work, realise that you don’t mind getting fired, pullback the work load and just wait it out!

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whciral@reddit

By all means you can leave the job, but how much do you need the money?

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reverandglass@reddit

Start job hunting.

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Flat_Development6659@reddit

Nah, if they want to get rid of you drag it out as much as possible and then find any excuse to to start tribunal proceedings, a lot of times they'll give you a payout in early conciliation. When my wife was on the firing line she ended up getting paid 3 months without going in and then got an extra couple of grand out of them on the way out via ACAS, during her period of paid absence she found another job paying more lol. Game the system as much as possible. Your responsibility is to yourself and your family.

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cooltone@reddit

It's the six months effect and it is common. Normally what happens is six months is rock bottom and things start to improve. You'll see the improvement in a couple of months and in few more you'll be ok and the feeling will pass. You get the first three months as a honeymoon, you can rely on being the newbie, but this wears off after six months and you now feel exposed and you don't feel you know the job or what you should really be doing. You think people know you are not good at your job, but do you have evidence of this? Write down the five main tasks that you are required to do in priority order. Evaluate one at a time and determine what you are doing that makes you terrible, then what you can do to make it a little better (you don't need to be perfect at the first go, just keep making little and you will get there). When you can't work out how to improve yourself, ask others what they do or ask for training. Most employers respect people that are self-motivated to improve their work, even if it is little steps because it shows progress.

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MCDCFC@reddit

Post this on the r/antiwork sub. You'll be a hero over there

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behemuffin@reddit

Is your company making a genuine positive difference to people's lives, such as a charity or essential service provider, or is it just engaged in making a profit for the owners or shareholders? If it's the former, then maybe you should consider giving up your seat for someone who can make a better contribution to that service. If the latter, fuck 'em, you're not stealing anything, unless you've got ambitions to do something better with your life - in which case you should start making moves towards doing that - crack on. A vast percentage of modern jobs are bullshit, and a vast percentage of office workers are seat fillers like yourself.

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MaxximumB@reddit

They are still paying you so your work must be acceptable. There are folks out there who work as little as possible and still get paid. They are the ones stealing a paycheck.

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According_Search3236@reddit

You sound pretty negative about yourself. If you are last, then that's a metric you can trust. But outside of that, the rest is just your own mind. The fact you can reflect gives yourself awareness intelligence and probably better than others who have zero self awareness. If the job is well paid. Why would you want to give that up? Unless the job is destroying you mentally, continue and earn good money. If it destroying you, then save some of this good money, get used to living on less and move elsewhere, but most jobs suck, businesses want more and more out of people, for less pay. Could also be that you feel new and it's taking time to learn stuff, which is unlikely to improve if you move elsewhere and suddenly become new and learning from the bottom again.

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UnexpectedRanting@reddit

Nah get fired and then keep notes of all the times you’ve been bullied. When fired bring this up to HR and take it to a tribunal for nice payout. If theyre not doing anything about it it means they need you more than you realise

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MarkL64@reddit

Try not to overthink things especially when you're not in the wrong. Go about your business do your work, go home and get back to the good ol' stuff that you Enjoi. A job is a job at the end of the day so if it starts to take a toll or gets real monotonous, remember that it's exactly that. Just any other job. In your spare time use this negative feeling too spur you along with finding a new job. It's all up to you but if you wanna stay then do so, if not then only leave on your own accord and not because of others. **Also bear in mind when searching for new jobs it'll always be far easier doing so whilst already employed.**

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Maleficent-Prune4013@reddit

It's giving ADHD!

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anabsentfriend@reddit

Are you depressed? It doesn't sound like you're feeling motivated to tackle whatever the issues are. I'm sure you're not stupid. Maybe consider speaking to your GP in the first instance. Then when you're feeling up to it speak directly to your line manager about how you're feeling and that you want to do better. It's always better to tackle things head-on and get in first before being managed out. Most important of all. Don't do anything rash like handing your notice in until you've tried to make things better or at least have another job lined up.

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SongsAboutGhosts@reddit

If you can find another job that's a better fit, absolutely leave. And you don't sound happy, so looking for something else would benefit you. And I'm sure most of us have worked under people who we know are incompetent or lacking key qualities/skills to do their job properly and that negatively impacts everyone below them, so from that point of view it'd probably benefit others too. I wouldn't recommend totally fucking yourself over and leaving yourself without any income, but looking for something that you'd like more and be better at can only benefit everyone involved: do that.

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Significant-Photo-44@reddit

No, don't just leave. Set up a one-to-one with your line manager and ask for feedback. It may well be that they don't have a problem with you. But if it's on the negative side, you should then ask what they can do to support you in improving your performance.

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Hannah-may@reddit

From a managers perspective- they don’t want 10/10 rockstars. They want, friendly, easy to work with, non-problem makers. Slow and predictable is better than above and beyond occasionally. If you’re polite and punctual then that’s 80% of your job. Making sure the work is done is actually your managers responsibility so if you’re struggling it’s kinda on them.

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theanglosaxon111@reddit

Just stick at it, from my point of view I suffer from imposter syndrome quite regularly. So I work in structural engineering for one of the UK’s largest concrete suppliers and I tell you know the higher you go up the pay scale the more people are just winging it through life, I have come to the conclusion no one really knows what they are doing. I am by no means a smart ass or ever been top of my class/skill level etc but you do what you have to do to get by and survive

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Typical_Efficiency_3@reddit

[the peter principle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_principle)

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michaelscottdundmiff@reddit

Dude you sound depressed. Speak to someone, get some help. Also speak to people at work and ask for help. Training someone is so much more cost effective than sacking and rehiring and then training the new person. It’s in everyone’s interests to get you going as opposed to starting again. Best of luck, you are at the start of a rocky road and the first step is the hardest

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AngryTudor1@reddit

Sounds like the only difference between you and about 90% of the workforce is that you lack their unshakable self belief that they are the most indispensable grafters without whom everything would fall apart. In terms of actual practical outcomes, you just out there with everyone else

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Dualyeti@reddit

Well said, jobs just keep humans busy for 8 hours a day

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MouldyFruit2023@reddit

Nah, milk them for a salary until they decide to do something

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DanielReddit26@reddit

Relax and be kinder to yourself in the first instance. Pick 1 thing to improve on, and aim for it - ask for help if you need along the way. If you keep feeling this way, look for something different and move on once found (not before) - sometimes little things like the specific systems, processes, people you are working with can make a big difference in your ability to do a task. Chances are you're probably adding more value than you realise. If you're not, and you're not being fired then thats on senior management whom themselves aren't performing (moreso the part where they should equip, train, and mentor you to add value and less so the part where they should fire you).

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Immediate_Machine_92@reddit

If you're seriously thinking of leaving anyway, speak to your manager about how you're feeling. It's not your fault if they've put you in a role that you don't feel capable of doing to a decent standard. You don't sound like you're deliberately slacking and letting others pick up the workload, you sound like you're out of your depth and need some support. That could be anything from training, to a lateral move into a role with different duties, to a mental health assessment (I'm not saying there's anything wrong with your mental health, but staring at your laptop screen while feeling unhappy \*could\* be some kind of depression, or maybe ADHD if your brain isn't allowing you to make a start on work tasks because it just doesn't find them satisfying or rewarding). If you're on the verge of quitting anyway, you don't have a lot to lose. But a decently supportive employer might be able to find a role for you that keeps you in a job but doesn't leave you feeling so useless. In this economy it's probably best to stay employed if you can - even if it means accepting the role that you're in, admitting to yourself that you won't be as good as other people at it, but acknowledging that that's really not your problem to solve unless/until someone brings it up with you officially. Calling you useless in office chitchat (if they are talking about you) is unprofessional and bordering on bullying if that's contributing to you wanting to leave.

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MattWillGrant@reddit

If you've been there that long, completed work, and not been offered any support by the people openly calling you useless - don't quit. That's totally on them.

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thetechguyv@reddit

Sounds like you're depressed/burnt out. Anyway no, make them pay you until they pay you redundancy. No point cutting your nose off top spite your face.

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