Message #73663

[msmarieh]

Are there any company wide committees you could participate in? Any company events you could assist with planning (company picnic in summer, holiday party this winter, new product launches)?

Are there any outside roles where you could represent the company, for instance, the chamber of commerce? In one of my past roles, I represented the company for the city postal services group (local businesses met with the post office to discuss things that could be done to enhance service on both sides, etc. - that was a publishing company so we did a ton of mailings).

Could you take on maintenance of company wide contracts (such as vendors for office equipment, catering, hotels, etc.)? How about writing articles for the company newsletter (or starting one if it doesn't exist) or teaching lunch and learn training sessions to your co-workers?

Can you take on any responsibility related to disaster planning? Updating (or creating) the company's disaster planning manual, stocking the first aid kit, organizing CPR training for employees?

Some of these roles may already be taken care of, of course, but in some companies these kinds of responsibilities slip to the side when people don't have enough time to focus on them. Look around for areas where you can contribute or areas where you would like to learn more and improve your skills.

Could you go back to school and use work time for studying or preparing for classes? Could you do some certification exams (like Microsoft Office) and study at work? Do you hold an office in a professional association and would you be allowed to use some of your work time to work on projects for that association? As long as you have quiet time and if no one is able to give you more work to do, you might as well look for opportunities to be productive for yourself anyway.

Good luck. I actually understand completely. I left a job supporting a CEO because I was bored out of my mind. I do understand how monotonous the day can become if you can't find additional responsibilities to fill the time.