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Dull Days At Work For People In Scotland

24th July 2019

A recent survey by The Open College has discovered more than a third of employees in Scotland would describe their job as ‘utterly dull' while 30% would even call it ‘soul destroying' as many feel unrewarded in their current place of work.

One in five people living in Scotland are stuck in a ‘boring or unrewarding' job, according to a study released this week.

A poll of 2,000 employed adults found more than a third say their job is ‘utterly dull', while 30 per cent even describe their work as ‘soul destroying'.

Just over a quarter feel there is nothing left for them to learn or accomplish in their role, while 31 per cent think they’d have a more fulfilling job, if only they had better academic qualifications.

Sixty-two per cent of those living in Scotland said they had no plans for progression in their current role.

Samantha Rutter, CEO at distance learning provider Open Study College, who commissioned the research, said: "We spend a huge amount of time at work so it’s important to be doing something you enjoy and get some satisfaction from.

"For some, picking up a steady paycheque is enough to keep them coming back year after year.

"But after a while, even a regular income seems to struggle to keep people engaged and excited about work.

“After all, you do hear about people with the most amazing and high-profile jobs getting disillusioned with their day-to-day lives.

“Sometimes simply learning a new part of the role or doing some extra training can really help boost what you get back from your job, making it feel like less of a chore."

The study also found 47 per cent of disillusioned workers in Scotland admitted to simply clocking in for the daily grind but have nothing to excite them at work.

Some of the top signs you’re stuck in an unrewarding job revealed in the survey include clockwatching as early as midday, and a general daily feeling of boredom.

29 per cent believe not caring if you’re late means you’re mentally checked-out from work, and 37 per cent think struggling to get out of bed in the morning is a sign you’re not getting much out of your job.

Another 15 per cent reckon that when you stop making an effort with your appearance, your career is in the doldrums.

A third also believe just staying in the job for the money is a key sign you’re in an unrewarding job. But 31 per cent also believed they could earn more if they had additional qualifications.

Other indicators you are unfulfilled at work include never having anything to say when people ask how your day was, hating the commute and going for early or long lunch breaks.

Sadly, 57 per cent of those who have a dull job also believe it’s made them less interesting outside of work.

It also emerged that on average, people in Scotland reckon they’re terminally bored with their working day before lunchtime - at 12.58 precisely.

But while over a third describe their current job as a ‘dead end’, 37 per cent of those confess to liking it that way, for reasons including ‘it’s steady’ and they ‘never get in trouble’.

And 29 per cent of the working population, polled via OnePoll, believe they’ll ‘never’ change jobs again.

One in five think they’re unqualified for a more rewarding job, and 21 per cent of Scots confess to being too lazy to change career.

Samantha added: “Our results found many people believe getting a new qualification can lead to a more fulfilling career.

“This is true, but there are also lots of other things you can try if you feel like you’re stagnating at your current role.

“Employers like it when workers are actively looking to better themselves, it not only benefits the business but is also a great confidence builder for employees to progress."

THE TOP 40 SIGNS YOU’RE IN AN UNREWARDING JOB

You're bored

You start clockwatching by noon

It's hard to get out of bed in the mornings

You've lost the passion

You are just in the job for the money

You call in sick... when you're not sick

You're out the door the minute your workday ends

You're annoyed before you even get to work

You don't care if you're late

When people ask how your day at work was, you never have anything to say

You become easily irritated

You fantasise about having another - stress-free - job

Your productivity levels are constantly decreasing

You haven't learnt any new skills at work in ages

You become stressed easily

You start to question your purpose within the business

You begin to question whether you are in the right field / look at jobs in different industries instead of finding a similar one to your current job

You're constantly procrastinating

You don't like the people you work with

You've signed up to job board alerts

Your ideas are not being heard/ valued

You have a bad work-life balance (finish work too late/often work overtime at home)

You haven't had a pay rise in ages/ ever

You struggle to sleep worrying about work the next day

The commute annoys you

You stay up late because you don't want it to be tomorrow

You do life admin during work time

You find yourself jealous of your friends' jobs

You moan about the boss

You take full advantage of your hour lunch break

Ungrateful clients/customers annoy you

Colleagues get credit for doing loads of work when they don't

You don't make effort with your appearance

You don't see your friends/family enough because you're constantly tired

You struggle to keep on top of work load

You go for early/long lunches

You do more work than your boss/bosses

You're constantly booking holidays

You don't feel comfortable asking for a payrise

You get calls from the boss out of hours/at the weekend