How to Handle a Very Slow Job

[drummerboy22]

I work a 40-hour a week office job. I'm blessed to have it, but my concern is that it can often be very, very slow. There have been weeks where they've only had 4 hours of work for me to do. How do I spend the other 36 hours? I'll admit that's an extreme example, but most days here are still very slow.

It's sort of an entry level position, so I can typically only work on things when my boss sends them to me. I've tried coming up with a few projects, but my boss usually turns them down.

My question is: How should I spend the rest of my time at work? I've taken to working on a lot of personal projects--my moonlighting business, or other "just for fun" things. But no matter what I do, if it's not directly work-related, I end up feeling guilty about it. The more time I spend on the internet at work, the more I worry that the higher ups will notice, and I obviously don't want to lose my job.

How do I honor the Lord with my work when there's no work to do? What do you recommend?

 

[Lowlander]

Well you could discuss it with your boss and you might ask him if there's another job available for you there. You could of course also look for a job somewhere else. I don't see any other options at the moment.

 

[Dave-W]

Could you take an on-line course related to your job? Related to your job, of course.

 

[Southernscotty]

Welcome to CF Drummerboy22 and may you be blessed here

 

[Kevin Snow]

Why not read your bible in the off time and get people talking? If there is nothing to do it's not your fault. Definitely talk about it with your boss.

 

[ValleyGal]

The time you have at the office belongs to the company that pays you. Everything you do there belongs to the company. If you are working on private projects at work (while your boss pays you to spend your time for HIM), and then you take the work you did on HIS time and moonlight making money for YOU, then that is unethical.

Here's an example. Let's say you are a writer. You go to work every day, but spend most of your time writing your book at work. All the writing you do at work is copyrighted to your employer because you did it on HIS time and he paid you for your time.

Instead of being invested in yourself at work, invest in the company that pays you. Let your boss know that you would like more to do, and maybe even more responsibility. If he can't find anything for you to do, then you should look at advancement opportunities in the company, and then start working towards getting the credentials that will make you a competitor when postings become available.

Just remember that the time you get paid for at work means that you should be serving your employer as though he were Jesus himself.

 

[Radagast]

I work a 40-hour a week office job. I'm blessed to have it, but my concern is that it can often be very, very slow. There have been weeks where they've only had 4 hours of work for me to do. How do I spend the other 36 hours? I'll admit that's an extreme example, but most days here are still very slow.

How about offering to help other people?

It worries me that if you're only working 4 hours a week, you might not have the job long.

 

[Knee V]

I have a maintenance job. I sit around waiting for electrical equipment to break (or at least not work properly). If there is nothing to fix, there is nothing to do, and I have absolutely no problem doing whatever I want until I get a call. I mean, I could walk around looking at equipment all day, but there is no more value from me doing that than there is from me sitting at my computer (which is what I am doing now).

If you have no work, you have no work. If they won't let you do anything extra, they won't let you do anyting extra. I am sure that when you have work you do it diligently and well. But if there is nothing to do, there is simply nothing to do.

It is one thing to speak of it being unethical to do activities that aren't directly related to your job when you could be doing activities directly related to your job. But I can't see how it is fundamentally unethical to do non-work-related tasks when work won't give you any tasks.

Perhaps it is time to dust off your resume and see what else is out there...

 

[Call me Nic]

Why not read your bible in the off time and get people talking? If there is nothing to do it's not your fault. Definitely talk about it with your boss.

This, do this.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

How do I honor the Lord with my work when there's no work to do? What do you recommend?

Rejoice and be glad, and how do you honor Jesus when you are home evenings and weekends ?

 

[AnglicanPeace]

I would just get on the Internet. Google whatever you want to Google, mental illness, prayers, classical music, ambient, African, reggae, as long as it's not horrible obviously like p*rn or something stupid. You should be thrilled, some people are barely clinging to sanity at their nightmare 80 work week gigs. Tread softly.