I have a potential job offer (pending references) but I will be required to be in the office 5 days per week from 9am - 6pm.

20 Comments

1. Melissa NobileOctober 20,2021 at 12:27PM UTC

   Get yourself organized. You won’t be able to toss a load of laundry in while you’re on a call… Figure out when you’re going to do all the things you normally do while you’re working at home. Make a schedule.
   My daughter works long hours, has 2 cats, a social life, and plays in a bell choir. She found that Amazon Fresh delivers to her door and that the prices were comparable to her local grocery store - and she doesn’t have to carry cat litter from her car up the elevator! Cleaning the cat box was becoming more of a headache than she could handle, so she got a self cleaning litter box. She plans to do her laundry on a specific day. She got herself a robot vacuum to make that task happen with less effort. She cooks extra so she has lunches to bring to work. She also got a “nanny cam” that she aims at her front door and the cat bowls - she can see if anyone enters her condo and she can see if the cat bowls need filling when she is away on travel.
   My sister uses a doggy daycare and a dog walker for her dog (who also has attachment issues).
   It’s all a matter of wrapping your head around what needs doing and finding ways to get it done. It will take some getting used to for you and your pup, but you’ll be fine!

2. Susan Kirshner-SheldonOctober 20,2021 at 6:16PM UTC

   Thank you. It's just a huge adjustment...I also don't have Sundays which makes life that much harder (schedule is Sunday-Thursday). Fridays and Sat are Sabbath prep and then Sabbath...makes it that much harder but I'll have to find a way to make it work.

3. Melissa NobileOctober 21,2021 at 7:15PM UTC

   It sounds like you’ll need to get the whole family involved if you take this position. Make them help. It shouldn’t be all on you to prep for Sabbath, get the chores done, and fix dinner…

4. AnonymousOctober 20,2021 at 3:03PM UTC

   Start working on separation anxiety before you start the job! There are tried-and-true methods for this, and if the training doesn't work, talk to your vet about drugs. People are reluctant to give psych drugs to a dog, but if the dog is suffering, how would it be humane to let the suffering continue?

5. Susan Kirshner-SheldonOctober 20,2021 at 6:14PM UTC

   I'm in favor of that. I know a long walk will also help. But I'll miss him too...yes, I'm crazy. :)

6. AnonymousOctober 20,2021 at 5:19PM UTC

   Puppy day care near the office (in case you want to pop by during a break).

   You should at least ask your supervisor if a hybrid or flexible schedule could be considered. If the answer is no, then you're stuck. Takes lots of breaks and get outside fir walks. Take meeting whenever possible on a patio or quiet area outside the office. Make sure to break up your day and get super organized with you morning routine so you can build in some meditation and exercise.

7. Susan Kirshner-SheldonOctober 20,2021 at 6:14PM UTC

   Thank you - all great suggestions. I do plan on asking for hybrid. I'm even ok going in 5 days a week from 9-3 and then doing the rest from home. Need to see if she's ok with that as my role is her EA/Project Manager. Fingers crossed.

8. AnonymousOctober 21,2021 at 2:25AM UTC

   Just think about the alternative, full time unemployment.

9. Eva SteortzOctober 21,2021 at 3:14AM UTC

   There are a lot of roles that are remote or hybrid now. I understand how going back could be stressful. If you want to try it, get a dog walker and simplify your life where you can so you can fully enjoy your early mornings and evenings. Also, it doesn't have to be forever. If it doesn't work out, you can always try something else.

10. AnonymousOctober 21,2021 at 4:00PM UTC

    The reply below reads as very negative to me. As someone stuck in the house for over a year and a half, I feel you. I have developed serious mental health issues, my treatment resistent depression has worsened, I'm on new drugs (with new side effects), I have perimenopause brain fog, inability to concentrate and can't get my sleep schedule under control. So yes, I am as scared of someone offering me a gig as of not offering me a gig. The devil you know, and all of that. I have wanted to do talk therapy but am having a hard time finding anyone in network and since i'm out of work, I don't want to pay out of pocket. Plus is it feasbile to start something knowing I might have a WFH job where I really can't take a chunk of 1 day off every week starting the first week of work? It makes more sense for me to wait, but that prolongs my suffering. It's tough all the way around. I'd start buy getting yourself on a good sleep schedule, pack the house with good healthy good and make and freez portions of things to take. Sort your clothes and make outfits so that you can easily grab them. in the morning. Find backup alarm clocks or even free phone call services that you set up each night before bed (lifeline for me!). For your dog, try to hire a sitter to walk him during the day, and/or try doggie daycare if you can afford it. I would say most of these challenged can be solved, which is not to say it will be easy. But there are things you can do Good luck.

11. AnonymousOctober 21,2021 at 8:54PM UTC

    So sorry for what you’re going through. Wishing you all the best and lots of calm times ahead.

    Thank you for your response to me :)
    All good advice!

12. AnonymousOctober 21,2021 at 8:33PM UTC

    It’s not as simple as that and I thought this was supposed to be an empowering place to post. I came here looking for support and real advice. Please refrain from judging

13. AnonymousOctober 21,2021 at 9:43PM UTC

    Ignore that rude person. The other poster's advice about setting up routines is great, and I would add that you should ensure you have a fitness routine if you don't already have one--both physical and mental. Working all day has a physical component to it and you need to ensure you have the stamina. Also, you have to focus, so try doing concentration games.

14. AnonymousOctober 21,2021 at 8:35PM UTC

    My dog is one factor in deciding about this job. Maybe he’s a support dog for me-
    Thankfully I am not homeless or jobless, I’m just in a crappy current job where I’m earning below minimum wage. Trying to make my life better but it might be at the expense of my mental health…
    I’m looking for real advice on how to transition.

15. AnonymousOctober 24,2021 at 12:37AM UTC

    Don't ever feel bad for asking for help and tips from the place you're at right now. No reason for some women to be so judgey. If they're not struggling, they should just be happy.

16. AnonymousOctober 21,2021 at 9:39PM UTC

    This is a terrible response to someone asking for help. OP is not saying she doesn't want to work long hours, but is asking for advice on how to get back into that habit.

17. Brenda F.October 22,2021 at 12:42PM UTC

    It is a transition to change your work environment no matter where you work. Your work life balance will change as will your dog’s life with you. You can bring to prepare for those changes in advance by practicing changes while you are working remotely now. Alter what you would do during the daytime. Begin to transition your dog as well. Find someone to stop by to let your dog out during the day if possible, Or begin a new routine with your dog. It is easier to transition than it is make an immediate change. Good luck with the potential new job.

18. AnonymousOctober 24,2021 at 12:36PM UTC

    Hi all - thank you so much for your feedback, but in the end I turned down the position. Not because of my dog but rather, there was a lack of a job description, too many hours, a mental health issue at play, and so many other factors.

    I had told one of my references that I turned down the role (they actually know each other from a previous work life), he told me it was the right move, as the boss is very intense and controlling. He said he didn't want to sway my decision one way or the other, but he didn't see me being set up to succeed there. So I dodged a bullet.

    What a fabulous forum this site is - again, thank you all!

19. Brenda F.October 24,2021 at 8:34PM UTC

    Do what is best for you. There will be other roles but only one you - and your mental health matters.

20. Brenda F.October 24,2021 at 8:47PM UTC

    I cannot speak for the original poster. However, you might want to be aware that people with service dogs, psychiatric support animals, and emotional support animals are all provided legal support in this country. There are some people who are jobless or homeless *with* their dogs because their dogs give them the psychological or physical ability to keep going. If you knew of the number of people during hurricanes and floods who refused to leave their homes because emergency shelters would not take their pets, you might be shocked. FEMA and emergency response have changed their policies to now allow accepting pets in emergency shelters and to go back and rescue pets after people. Lastly, the sheer volume of US veterans returning from the Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Gulf wars who have service or emotional support animals are staggering in numbers but also a testimony to one of the many things we as a society can do to assist our veterans.