How to Handle Boredom?

I have now been at my new job for a month. From what I understood when I was hired, the area in which I am now "working" is quite busy, to the point of being overwhelmed, which was the reason given for the need to hire someone as soon as possible (I would have loved to have waited to start this job, until mid-May). It seems to be that there is so much to do and so much going on that the people who need to train me simply do not have the time to train me! It is a very industry and plant-specific type of work, so I do need to pick up the lingo and systems. I have tried to do as much as I can without a knowledge base in either of these areas, but I have run out of ways in which to occupy myself. Last week I was so stressed on Wednesday over not having anything useful or pertinent to do (while watching everyone around running around like crazy people) that it brought on a severe sinus/migraine type headache and I was actually out for two days. I seriously thought about looking for another job, which is so, so sad as other than the lack of work load, I love my new company and am thrilled - yes, thrilled - to be a part of it.

I had to call my old office regarding a prior health insurance issue (I worked in an HR area previously to my current job) and found out that after I left, they not only posted my job, they posted a second position as well. I carried the heaviest workload in that office and I guess they finally realized it since I'm being replaced by TWO people. Part of me almost thought about talking about coming back. Most of me knew that's crazy. I have no desire to go back. But I also am going almost literally crazy with the current situation at my new job. There are very good reasons why there hasn't been time to train me (government audits and new projects) and I have no hard feelings towards my new management about this, and have no urge to give them a hard time. I see that they're stressed and completely overwhelmed at the moment. I am doing my very best to at least get out of their way if I can't be of direct help. I know this will pass, but I don't know when or how I'm going to survive until then, to be quite honest. I understand I've gone from the role of being knowledgeable and busy and having a network, to one of a novice completely outside any type of comfort zone, and that will change. What do I do between now and then? I am literally going crazy. My husband says to email my two supervisors to let them know I need some work (I try and meet with them daily but they do not have time, and they know they need to find time and are very apologetic and stressed). If I don't get anything in return then I should go to the director, which would definitely make something happen, but maybe not in a good way, ultimately. Everyone is between a rock and a hard spot right now in my area at my new company, and I don't want to create another difficult situation. But if I don't get some work soon I will lose my mind.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to handle what I know will be a temporary situation but which is potentially a job killer? And please, I cannot stress enough that the group I'm in at my new job is the best bunch of people I have ever come across, on any level, and from years of experience I can tell you are NOT deliberately shutting me out. I just need some ideas on how to handle myself and this situation that will bring about positive working relationships. I'm stymied. And desperate.

POST A COMMENTCK(04/26/2008)
Hey bookwoman!!! Glad to see you again!!!

Before I would be going to the bosses I would see if I could talk to a co-worker first. Try on break or during lunch so not to be disrupting. Pick someone you feel you can trust and ask simple questions and guidance. What you need is a mentor in the new position - look for one.

The reason I suggest going to a co-worker firat is that your bosses may think that "if you're not doing anything then why did we hire her?" mentality - so protect yourself in that manner. Ask for reading materials and manuals, what are the policies and procedures? Do they have a training program? Become knowledgable in your new work.

I hope this helps!

Dumber than a Catbox full of sh*t(04/27/2008)
I like Ck's suggestion of asking a co-worker. I would also start a paper trail...just in case. I would at least weekly e-mail your Boss(es) telling them what you have been doing and offering to come- in earlier or stay later so that you can get some training. If you e-mail regularly with all this that I've mentioned--they will see that you care and that you are willing to bend over backwards to help them help you. This could prevent the "why did we hire her" mentality that Ck mentioned.

Bookwoman(04/29/2008)
Thanks for the suggestions. I actually don't really have co-workers to talk to in the ways you've mentioned, CK. It's not the smallest place I've worked in, but the group I'm part of is made up of a variety of specialized areas which touch on my area but don't really directly interact.

Yesterday I was back at work with a newly determined positive attitude to get through this transition no matter what. I've actually displayed a positive attitude all along, but internally I was going crazy. I had a couple relatively small things to do yesterday, and was given a few other items to handle. Boom - they're done. One thing I can say about my male supervisor (the female supervisor was out yesterday) is that he is really trying to address my training and work assignments, but is limited by the fact that what he directs me to work on is usually something I need to be trained in by the female supervisor. "Get with (I'll call her) Susan about such-and-such." And Susan has not been available much because of the audits. And I can see with my own eyes how much time and attention the audits have required. It's definitely a legitimate hold-up. These people are all genuinely nice. There are no bullies, no back-stabbers, no attitudes. Almost everyone I work with is prior military, as am I, and that really affects the atmosphere, which I would describe as work hard, play hard. I really, really, really like this company - or at least my area of it, which is a specialized section that could actually stand on its own. I just need WORK!

Speaking of which: I got an email from a co-worker at my most recent job asking me to call her. She said she was beyond stressed. We are friends and have gotten together outside work, so I did call her. She was completely worked up over job issues. She talked for a half-hour straight! I had wondered how the atmosphere at my old office would change after I left, because I knew alot of people thought it would be calmer with me gone because I had a reputation as being (among other things) very outspoken and adamant about how things should be. I had seen myself as the office conscience and ethical force, but I know I've always marched to the beat of a different drummer...and I believe, from what I heard from Mary and others as well, that my assessment was correct. Instead of that office becoming calmer, it's falling apart. People are complaining about each other constantly, criticizing everything, things aren't getting done on time, and it sounds like the negative sides of everyone's personalities are taking over. I noticed after about 15 minutes on the phone with Mary that her manner of speaking was beginning to change - she was slowing down, becoming calmer, appearing to step back and view things more dispassionately and objectively, and breathing more normally. I believe I really was a calming, positive, encouraging presence in that office and now that I'm gone everyone's pinging off the walls. It's a shame. Oh, well. With some of the things that are on their horizon, it's going to get even worse. I really don't wish them ill, but my old management brings trouble on itself by not dealing appropriately with anything, really. I am very happy with myself for how I handled myself there, and how I handled my leaving, which I had every reason to make difficult on them, and they knew that. My old supervisor made several comments about my positive, encouraging attitude during my final two weeks. Duh. My motto was always do the right thing regardless of what other people deserve.
I told Mary I'll be available for Happy Hour consultations!!

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