Is it possible for a work culture to no longer be a fit?

Anonymous

January 12,2024 at 2:28PM UTC

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Is it possible for a work culture to no longer be a fit? I have worked at my current employer for 8 years. When the pandemic hit we started working from home and have done so ever since. When we worked in the office the atmosphere was work hard but have fun while doing it. Now the atmosphere is don't ask questions just do as you are told. I am in my 50s. I know that my job is basically a dead end and the growth potential is very small but it is a job with good benefits. The job is no longer fun. Communication is lacking and what little of it is single threaded through my manager. We do not have team meetings but upper management wants to portray the environment as though we are a family. Some of my other co-workers feel the same but say it is a job and suck it up. Also, they don't care about learning new things. Am I crazy to have these thoughts? Should I just be content that I have a job?

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AnonymousJanuary 12,2024 at 2:34PM UTC
You can be 'content to have a job' and still be looking. Things changed greatly over the last 4 years. Just like people change, jobs change. Working from home has changed how we work, changing how we work with one another, and some of these changes are not for the better.
AnonymousJanuary 12,2024 at 2:55PM UTC
People change too, and you would do best to not compare pre-pandemic work places, no way they couldn't change. You do you, if you don't want to be there, then get another job.
AnonymousJanuary 12,2024 at 2:56PM UTC
People grow and gain experience, and so do companies. It is not uncommon for us to outgrow the company we work for or for the company to change in ways that no longer meet our career goals. You can be content or move on. It depends on how much the changes impact your satisfaction with your job.
AnonymousJanuary 12,2024 at 2:57PM UTC
I just left a job of 8 years for the same reason with culture and it's the best decision I ever made. I also got a major raise. So much less stress. It's worth it to look around. Talk to places, see what's out there and read up on companies. See what people are saying about them on fishbowl if they're on there.
AnonymousJanuary 12,2024 at 3:30PM UTC
I also worked at a job for 8 years feeling like I had to be loyal and grateful just because I had a job and people depended on me. All of the other people in my department quit one by one. The managers hired someone who did not know my field to be my supervisor and asked me to train them. I had to beg for any raises or recognition ( even when I was the only one left doing the work of the whole department,) and I complained to anyone and everyone who would listen how miserable I was. In December 2020 I was finally told that they did not need me anymore so I was forced to find something else during the pandemic. I did and I am so glad I did. I got more pay, more benefits, recognition for my skills and no more stress. Looking back I really wonder why I stayed so long.- Foolish pride? Misplaced loyalty? Fear??
You said that the job used to be fun and that is an indicator that proves the job and the people have changed. How you decide to deal with it is up to you. Stick it out and change with it, or move on. Even though it can be scary for people our age, know that there is better out there for you and you can go find it. You dont owe the company, your coworkers or anyone else a reason or explanation, just follow your heart and go find a job that makes you happy again.
Julie JenningsJanuary 12,2024 at 3:45PM UTC
You are not crazy! The job dynamics have changed, it no longer feeds you. Look for another job, seek a
career change or even consider some side hustles based
in your talents. Don’t settle!
AnonymousJanuary 12,2024 at 3:47PM UTC
I am glad to hear this kind of comments. I can picture you as a nice person.
I am 62 years old and on the last 6 years I have move from one job to another not thinking about my age or if I will be able to find a job. I just kept looking , applying, and not thinking about not to get a new job.
Fortunately,I have always gotten jobs when I need them.
Amanda OJanuary 12,2024 at 3:51PM UTC
I don't unfortunately have any answers for you but am in the same position. I've been in my job for 19 years and it has a decent salary and benefits. I'm in my mid-50's and having the same thoughts. For myself, I've come to the conclusion that life is too short and spending so much time in an environment where I am not growing is affecting my mental health. It does no harm to look for other jobs and see what is out there for you. I'd be happy to keep in touch to offer support!
AnonymousJanuary 12,2024 at 3:53PM UTC
You are not crazy or even alone for having thoughts like that. Cultures change over the years based on who they put in leadership roles. If it’s no longer a fit and you aren’t happy, go with your gut and brush up your resume and start looking. It never hurts to look. Maybe you will end up finding something better. But you won’t know until you start looking.
whatever you choose. Keep your chin up… You got this!
LisaJanuary 12,2024 at 4:13PM UTC
I was in a similar situation. I no longer enjoyed the culture as it became top-down rather than collaborative. It doesn't matter that you are in your fifties. You are in your professional prime. Start looking for something that fulfills you and that you are passionate about! You still have a long way to go until retirement. Make them the best ever!
AnonymousJanuary 12,2024 at 5:33PM UTC
It depends, if you are working to live then find other things to make you happy outside of work and at the end of every day visualize yourself pulling the plug out of the wall at 5 and be done with it. If you plan on working and feeding your career aspirations with challenges and interesting work alongside of talented people who motivate you to enjoy work then you know the answer.
AnonymousJanuary 12,2024 at 6:30PM UTC
I feel like I could have written this about a job I had. Yes, it is possible for the culture to no longer be a fit. They decided to let me and another person go on the same day, it was the best thing that could have happened to me. I am in a job I love now, I work for the owners of the company and I don't worry about being laid off. I think if you are asking this question, you need to start looking.
AnonymousJanuary 12,2024 at 8:24PM UTC
If you can get out, get out!
If not, keep your head down and yes, be content with what you have -- and find outside activities to fulfill your needs. Sometimes a job is just a job. You were luck for awhile, and things changed. This has happened to me, too, and I wound up being laid off by the new management leaders who wanted a crew that looked more like them (psychologically speaking). It sucks, but it is what it is.
AnonymousJanuary 14,2024 at 1:34PM UTC
The WFH era changed the work environment drastically, and not for the better. Collaboration, cooperation, idea exchange and teamwork are no longer the priority and neither is their job or their work product. What we have now is an entitled workforce that throws tantrums when they don’t get their way or are asked to actually do their job. It’s not working and has not been for some time now
Rt WlJanuary 14,2024 at 2:28PM UTC
This happened to me, too. I left what had been a spectacular job in 2022 because it became 100% WFH during COVID and was never going to go back to in-person where, we too, "worked hard but had fun" and collaboration and camaraderie.
I changed to a new place that is in-person and has all the old benefits from pre-COVID.
AnonymousJanuary 15,2024 at 3:53PM UTC
Yes, it is possible. I have been with the same company for some time now and lately it has been hard to show up in the morning. We are hybrid, but many people were hired completely remote, we, local people, have to go to the office and talk to others from an office space. Culture
eroded. I am here for now simply because I did not find anything better, but it is hard. I like my team and don't want to let them down, but it is taking a toll on me. Not sure how long I will be able to keep up.
JJJanuary 16,2024 at 12:58AM UTC
I came on to post something similar!
At my age (our age range) I feel like I should feel lucky to have good pay and benefits and just to wait for the end to come. Starting over sounds awful but staying and being in a weird dynamic is killing my joy.