Bit upset over work issues

Have you got a job or role description and did you have an induction into the job?

I have managed a couple of gp practices, and they had different values and expectations. I retired and have had other jobs since, a couple I’ve walked out of, one I was made redundant from and I now work from home for the NHS. I didn’t imagine I would like working from home as I’m a sociable person, but it appears that I do; well in this job anyway. I think that the culture and work type have to fit you and you have to fit it. Working from home means that I can get on with my work when our meeting on teams finishes. I have high standards for myself and enjoy what I do. Leave and find your niche, whatever that may be. Good luck

I am so sorry to hear that you have not been supported in your new position. I have arthritis in most of my joints and my employer (Health and Social Care) were marvellous, they provided me with a special chair, desk, light touch hole punch and stapler and a letter opener. I was seen regularly by occupational health and access to work and right up until I retired in January they were helpful and making adjustments. Even working from home they ensured that all my equipment was there and working was a comfortable experience for me. I worked there for 21 years. Please speak to your supervisor/line manager about access to work, at the very least they can supply you with a letter opener and easy to use date stamp.

I volunteered for 27 years after being Medically retired. For 20 years had the same Manager & mostly the same people working there got on with each other.
When our Manager retired the Assistant Manager took over. Fine until it got too much for her with a stressful job & young family. The next Manager only wants young Volunteers with young ideas. Not many want to Volunteer in a Charity shop. So now after Lockdowns causing ill health due to lack of exercise etc I have lost my Volunteering with no consideration from the Manager. Only the then new Assistant Manager bothered to keep in touch. I feel totally useless & used as I am too old to Volunteer in this Charity shop! I am 77 but do not feel of any use in anyway now. So it is not just retiring from work into an easier job that can make you feel unwanted. I feel I wasted 27 years even though the first 20 were good & appreciated!

As lots have already said, I bet you have loads of transferable skills. It is boring if you don’t want to fully retire - could you add another skill through, say, on line courses to expand your remit? Although it may hurt just shrug this experience off, it’s time for a change. Good luck!

I have been in your situation many times. When I first left school I worked at a wine merchants where you had to take orders on the phone and attach them to the orders. Well, I had NO knowledge or skills in other languages. As you can imagine I misspelt the orders resulting in me being fired after a month. Looking back I should have looked for another job before that happened as it sapped my self-esteem. Look for another job but complain about the staff and manager before you leave. They sound to be bullies.

There are so many things you can do as you get older. Life doesn't end when you retire. I trained and worked as a nurse for 47 years. I worked for Blood Transfusion service for over 2 years after that. I wasn't as quick as some of my colleagues but I got on fine with a few of them. When I left I volunteered to work with WVS and took elderly people shopping and to hospital appointments. I loved both these jobs. There are lots of things you can do when you retire. Don't give up try something different.

I moved areas and got a part time job which I put up with for 18months but it was awful. I applied for , and got another one and am so happy where I am the staff are lovely.

It’s not your skills which are at fault the place is just not nice. Find something else where you feel valued

Sadly, I experienced something similar to you when working for the NHS.
It seems to be an excepted way to deal with new staff.
Sometimes it may be caused by jealousy, Often by the person that had a say in if you would be employed in the first place!
Rather than just say straight at the end of your trial period that sorry, you are not right for the job, they'd rather make your life uncomfortable and hope you leave of your own accord.
I was dragged through a disciplinary meeting, unaccompanied - something that seems common in the Health Authority I was working for - I was even warned by my predecessor it was likely to happen.
If you have a problem with your hands, they should find a way and supply you with equipment that could help you. They should give you time to learn their system as well.
I think you may be better looking for another position elsewhere instead of putting up with this toxic behaviour and on the way out of the door, make sure that you make a complaint to the practice manager in the first instance about your treatment, If it is the practice manager that is nasty, complain to the GP partners.
There are jobs out there that would love to have you, with your experience and you deserve, as we all do, to be treated well.

Sally Wally1 don’t be despondent…I briefly worked at my local GP surgery and found most (not all) of the staff to be a bunch of bitches…it’s not you, it’s them. I resigned - life is too short to hang around nasty people.

I think your work mates and manager sound like a bunch of unprofessional and rude judgement tossers !! Don’t give them the satisfaction of sacking you, walk away immediately and if you need/want to work take your talents where they are appreciated ! Good luck x

I've had jobs where I've fitted in well and others where I've felt like a fish out of water and that everyone was looking at me as if I was an alien. It's the luck of the draw and usually nothing to do with performance, that's just used as an excuse. I'd get out of there and try something else or just enjoy retirement.

It's them, not you - you were successful in your previous job so don't let this sap your confidence in yourself. Find something else to do, paid or voluntary which will give you the satisfaction this post isn't giving you. You have only one life, so make it enjoyable, not a misery. Good luck with the next step.

I had a similar issue a few years ago. I'd taken my occupational pension but didn't qualify for the state pension at the time. So, I applied for a job in a local supermarket.......big mistake!

I was employed part time on either the wet fish, fresh meat, hot food to go, or deli counters. I never knew until I arrived at work which one I was allocated to on that shift and the rest of them in the team were so cliquey. One would train me with on a section but then a few days later smears me else would say I was doing something wrong, they all had different methods and ways of doing things. I soon noticed that whatever section I was on I always got lumbered with taking the rubbish out at the end of the shift, the team were clearly taking liberties. They would all stand around chatting whilst I did the final clean down of all sections.
I didn't stay long, I had far more self respect that to allow them to use me and in their power games. Yes, the extra money was useful but not at the cost of job satisfaction.

Galaxy

I am so jealous about the way you have described that WW, I am in my fifties, I think you strive on stress when you are younger, or I certainly did, but now it just all seems so much effort and I can feel myself dosengaging which isnt good either.

I got accused of not listening properly to instructions in my last job but there was so much drama and toxicity I think I actually switched off to it all seriously, who needs extra stress in their life? I certainly don't

Please just hand in your notice and leave.

Sign off sick if you need to temporarily but make the decision to leave and do not go back.

I have recently been through similar. You are not slow, their expectations of you are unrealistic. The working atmosphere is unpleasant. It will not change.

I stuck my last job out for far too long and I felt mentally unwell when I finally left. Your health is more important, including your mental health. There are loads of nicer jobs available at the moment. Apply for one of them instead

In younger days had two spells in the GP practice arena.
The first was absolutely dreadful. There were parochial and bullying staff and a complicit bitch of a Practice Manager. The doctors were toothless & uncaring. I was so glad, after more than two years of worry, to triumphantly hand in my notice.

The second was as a peripatetic trainer within surgeries throughout the UK. I enjoyed my job & had good employers but I never ever visited what I thought of as a “happy practice.” Some had a terrible atmosphere, lots of bitching amongst staff & indifferent managers.

In your shoes OP I would hand in your notice. It’s just not worth the worry.
Needless to say, I found fulfilment & appreciation in the two jobs I took afterwards & retired from the Civil Service on the crest of a wave,
Chin up & good luck,

I am so jealous about the way you have described that WW, I am in my fifties, I think you strive on stress when you are younger, or I certainly did, but now it just all seems so much effort and I can feel myself dosengaging which isnt good either.

Honestly if you can afford to do so I would think seriously about retiring full time.

Life, in any case should always be about balance and there is definitely a much more enjoyable existence outside of paid employment.

I loved my working life, but oh how much more stress free and relaxed is my retirement. Each day is spent entirely as I wish.

Do think about it and embrace the chance to live life to the full.

Sally, I would seriously think about packing the job in. You have worked hard all your life, been a success at what you do, you honestly don't need to put yourself through this. If you can afford it walk away, life is very short and we only live once.
Good luck, I hope you find a solution.

Not every employee/employer combination works. I had a horrific experience in a job once, 4 years ago. It should have been a fit. I knew my boss before I went to work for her, but it was just awful. The company was terrible and the senior managers were bullies. I didn't really want to have to leave and look for another job so quickly, but had to really because I was so unhappy.

I found another job and started it the day after leaving the horrible one and it was great.

So sorry to read this, but if your work place is anything like our local surgery, the pressure is on everyone and speed is of the essence. Do not allow them to sap your confidence through less than constructive criticism, resign and find something in a less pressurised environment.

Do you think it might be RSI after all those years of keying in? I was a secretary from 1973-81, then retrained as a lecturer. My fingers are bent now, like the keyboard!

It is a blow to the ego when you think you are doing well, and hear otherwise. Try to understand that not all jobs will be a good fit, and there is somewhere else that will value your skills.

Try not to stress about it too much, and start looking for something else.

"It’s true, I am slow, but like to think I do things properly."

Different jobs have different expectations
You may not be a good fit for this office

Does this job require a fast pace?

It is always difficult to know in such situations. Should they find a way to accommodate you, or are you really too slow for such a job?
Would you fit in after awhile, or are they really difficult to get on with?
I do think GP surgeries can be difficult places to work. They don't have the clear hierarchy of other NHS workplaces, but they are under a great deal of stress. Practice managers can be so variable as well.
You say you have your State Pension, but don't make it clear if you have other income or savings. I would broadly agree with those who say 'leave' - to me it sounds as if you have reached a point where the job is doing you no good. There is a deal of difference in winding down in a job you are familiar with, and taking up a new one.
You may be able to pick up a few hours of other, more congenial work if you look around.
I wish you luck.