My job is mind-numbing, but I love my boss. What should I do?

4 hours ago 4

I am ambivalent about my job. I love my boss but I find some of the tasks that take up much of my day mind-numbing.

One of the great things about my boss is that he is compassionate and open-minded. When he asks me and my teammates to be honest about how we’re feeling at work, I know he means it. He truly cares about our enjoyment of and wellbeing at work. Recently, I’ve started to think I should tell him about my dissatisfaction, which I’ve never addressed before.

Should you shut up and accept that all jobs can be boring?

The problem is, I don’t know whether this is a problem my boss can solve – and if he can, will it just be a huge inconvenience? I also worry whether it’s even fair to mention it – my job has changed a little since I started, but this is still essentially what I signed up for.

Should I shut up and accept that all jobs can be boring, or should I use my excellent relationship with my manager to see if something can change?

I could almost feel the tension of your internal conflict radiating off the screen as I read your email. The appreciation you have for your boss is very obvious. But so is how tedious you now find your job.

It’s clear that you need new professional challenges, but I can see where your hesitancy comes from. I can also see that, from where you stand, even a mention of a change might be a risk. It might taint or diminish an unusually good work relationship.

When your work becomes routine and you are no longer learning or being challenged at work, you can become bored.

What should you do? I asked Anya Johnson, who is a professor and head of discipline in work and organisational studies at the University of Sydney Business School. She said it was great to hear you had a supportive boss and that you shouldn’t feel that you’d be exploiting their trust by bringing this up.

“If we think about this in terms of work design, then we would say that your role has strong relational characteristics” she says. “You feel supported, and valued for the work you do and for who you are. This is critical for your motivation, wellbeing and performance. However, your role is missing another critical work design characteristic – stimulation.

“When your work becomes routine and you are no longer learning or being challenged at work, you can become bored.

“You might even have to force yourself to focus and function effectively. This is not ideal and I think, given you have a supportive manager, this is something you can raise with them.”

Professor Johnson said the next obvious question was how to best discuss this with your boss?

“Most managers appreciate when there is a challenge or problem that their employee has considered some ways of solving,” she says. “So what you could consider is job crafting. In other words, proposing to your manager ideas that would provide you with more stimulating work – that will allow you to grow and develop.

“Have a think about what gives you energy. Is it supporting colleagues? Perhaps mentoring new colleagues? Is it organising opportunities for social interactions? Is it trying to improve processes or thinking through challenges? Whatever it is – can you see opportunities to include this in your work?”

“Once you have identified what energises you, talk to your manager about how you might expand your role to include these things.”

Professor Johnson said you don’t need to frame your concerns as a gripe. You may want to admit that you’re bored or uninspired, but you should spend more time emphasising your preparedness to extend yourself professionally.

“I suggest you explain that you are really appreciative of their support and feel that you are confident in your capacity to do your work effectively but would appreciate opportunities to learn and develop,” she says. “Tell them that you have thought about the areas you would like to develop in and have some ideas – but are also keen to hear their suggestions.

“This way you are not just coming with a problem; you also have some options. And are open to their ideas, as well. Your manager might have some things they would love to improve or to have your support on and this might also give you opportunities you need.”

Will you solve the problem in one simple conversation? Professor Johnson suggested probably not. But your first chat will plant the seed. “And given how thoughtful your boss is, hopefully they will see the opportunity to nurture and develop that seed.”

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