Old and new: my first day back to work.
By Leca
@lecanis (16647)
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
November 8, 2007 3:40pm CST
Today I returned to my job for the first time since mid-June. I'm on a very restricted schedule. I work as a bank teller, and I got stuck in a side window that's never used, which meant I had to set things up, like switching out computer equipment before I could even start my day.
There were a lot of strange things about my day: meeting three new coworkers, forgetting how to do certain things, remembering things I didn't expect to remember... but the weirdest thing was that when I first got there I had to go through a box of things I had left. Apparently it had been decided I wasn't returning since my illness seemed not to be getting better, so at some point my supervisor cleaned out my locker and personal drawers. It was all in a box when I got there, and I had to sort out what I wanted in my locker, what I wanted in my drawers, and what I wanted to bring home. It was strange, and made me feel like I didn't belong.
Being both old and new to my workplace is very disorienting for me. I don't know everyone anymore. I don't know what's going on in people's lives. I am no longer the person you ask questions of, because I haven't been there to learn the newest stuff. Instead I'm asking the questions, and that hurts my ego.
Anyone have similar experiences?
9 people like this
14 responses
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
9 Nov 07
Hey Girl,
Im really sorry your having trouble adjusting at work. I never really expereinced this, not in this fashion. I used to get laid off every fall at the Data Entry place I worked at, and it was hard to return after a few months. Things would always be different, but luckily I didnt have to deal with new employees.
I sure hope that you start feeling more comfy. Its not much fun being at work feeling like you dont belong there. Things will get back to normal, just keep your head up!
Hugs! Bay xx
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
9 Nov 07
Thanks for your kind words! =)
Hmm, yes, I suppose that would be strange being laid off every fall. I've never experienced that, only had to leave because of illness and such. I think it would be easier without having to deal with new employees though.
You're right, it's not much fun at work feeling like I don't belong there, especially when I felt so much like I did belong there before my leave. I hope I do get that feeling again soon. :)
I'll do my best to keep my head up! :)
1 person likes this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
9 Nov 07
Aww I hope you do too sweetie. But maybe just like starting a new job, this will wear off and you will be right back to normal with your co-workers that you are familiar with. And the new ones, maybe you will make some friends. :)
Bay xx
1 person likes this
@PurpleTeddyBear (6685)
• Canada
12 Nov 07
Sorry to hear that your first day back was so tough hun. I really hope that things get better for you soon. I can imagine how you'd feel awkward not being new, but feeling new as their have been new changes in your work place. Hang in there hun!
Luv & Hugzz, Your Friend, PurpleTeddyBear.
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
12 Nov 07
Thanks for the encouragement!
I work again today, so we'll see how it goes. Then I have until Thursday off, so at least I'm going to get back into the swing of things slowly. I'm only supposed to be working four 4-hour shifts, so I'm getting to start back slowly.
1 person likes this
@PurpleTeddyBear (6685)
• Canada
12 Nov 07
That's good to hear that your taking it slow. You don't want to over do it. Hopefully things get easier for you very soon my friend ;)
Luv & Hugzz, Your Friend, PurpleTeddyBear.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
10 Nov 07
It would seem like starting a new job. They probably just boxed up your things so that someone could take over your job. I hope that you will catch up on the new things and get settled in soon.
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
10 Nov 07
*shrugs* The thing is, my things weren't really in the way. They were in drawers that no one took over anyway, and in my locker, and there were more than enough lockers to go around. In fact, I wound up just putting them back where they had been.
It does seem somewhat like starting a new job, except that I'm expected to already know what I'm doing! :P
@Perry2007 (2229)
• Philippines
12 Nov 07
I haven't that experience yet, but, I think it's exciting to be both old and new. lol... perhaps its better to set your mind on the new, so your perspective will be on the latest and re-orient yourself again. Soon, before you know it, you are the old guy again. Have a great day and God Bless
1 person likes this
@sigma77 (5383)
• United States
9 Nov 07
Somewhat similar. I am trying to get back to a job I haven't done in over 7 years. It is a strange new world out there...lol. It just takes time to adjust and relearn new things. The best to each of us in our attempts to re-invent our lives. Ego don't matter when you know what you want and have plans to get there.
1 person likes this
@theprogamer (10532)
• United States
10 Nov 07
Get your ego in check!
As for the rest of your topic I do know what you mean. Happened to me in Warcraft twice when I went absent for a few months. Plenty of things changed, people quit, others moved servers, guilds were different (R.I.P Frenzy, Luck...)it was nuts. After the second absence plus expansion issues, I decided to not comeback for awhile. Plus it was turning into a second job once again, things didn't seem as fun, and that's a no sale for me. I know its not like work or anything, but thats the closest experience I can think of.
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
10 Nov 07
Yes, yes, I know, me and my ego. :P
Ah, actually the same thing happened to me with WoW. I came back after being offline for a while and found no one I knew, and nothing I really understood. Going back seemed like work, not fun, which is why I haven't gotten back into it. So I know exactly what you mean, even if you weren't talking about work. Thanks for your post! I always appreciate hearing from you!
@citygirl (1080)
• Canada
9 Nov 07
Just hang in there , it will all come back to you. Glade you are well again and back to work.Your Bank must have a high turn over if you don't know any one any more. If you hang in it won't be long and you will be one of the longest ones there. It might take a week or two but you will fit in again , just keep on plugging. Good luck and stay positive ok.
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
9 Nov 07
Thanks! I'm glad to be back to work too! =)
There is a high turnover at my bank. I live in a town that's really driven by the college there, and so many of the people who work at the bank are either college students or have spouses who are. There are three people at my branch who have been there longer than me left: the store manager, the service manager, and one other teller. And I've only been there three and a half years or so, which makes it strange to have such seniority. People keep either leaving town when they graduate, when their spouses graduate, or jumping ship for higher-paying jobs.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
9 Nov 07
Welcome back. I am glad you are feeling well enough to work.The closest I have gotten to that fish out of water feeling at work happened when my work renovated.I had to re learn where everything was. But we all were doing it together.
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
9 Nov 07
*nods* Yeah, it is nice that I'm feeling well enough to work, even if it's on restricted hours. Yesterday after four hours I was very tired, and I was working for five, so it seems four is about right for me. Today I'm only scheduled for four hours, so hopefully I'll be okay. :)
Oh, that would be weird, to have everything renovated and have to relearn it all. But at least then you were doing it together, like you said. I think if it were all the people who had been there when I left I wouldn't feel weird, but there was so much turnover in the few months while I was gone! There are three new tellers, AND a new banker! Crazy!
1 person likes this
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
9 Nov 07
I experienced that 2 years ago... when i returned from working 2 years abroad... the supervisor of the place where i worked for seven years contacted me to ask if i want to return working for them... i hesitateda at first because i really wanted to rest first before working again... but he persuaded me by saying that i can choose the time that i want to go to the office and i don't even have to wear the uniform or do the regular things the the other employees do...
The first few months was okay since i really like the job that i left and to add to that... there were less responsibilities...and i did not really mind if the pay was not that big...but after that... the supervisor started demanding things from me... which was in violation of our first agreement...so after a heated argument with him... i quit right on the spot...
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
9 Nov 07
*nods* Wow, that sounds like a bad experience with suddenly having the rules change on you like that.
For me, I pretty much got thrown back into doing my old job without any real time to acclimate, so I think that's part of it. The only real accommodation I have is that I can't stand all day, so I'm allowed to sit even when there are customers in the lobby, which is usually a HUGE rule violation. Otherwise, though, I guess I expected a bit of being eased into things, and didn't get it.
Sorry to hear your situation turned out so badly. I'm hoping I'll like my job again once I get used to it, since I've always loved working there.
@sid556 (30953)
• United States
9 Nov 07
I'm sure this is tough on your ego but you do understand that being out so long...obviously the company had to make do without you. give it and yourself a bit more time. i'm sure that before long, you'll be back in the swing of things and not the new kid any more.
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
9 Nov 07
Haha, yeah, I know obviously the company had to make do without me. And I don't mind that a lot of my old responsibilities have been reassigned and such, I expected that. I just didn't realize how jealous I would be of the new people being so comfortable when I wasn't. You're right, I'm sure it won't take too long to get better.
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
9 Nov 07
I kinda had the same sort of thing happen with this job I had. I worked mostly seasonal. Just called in for sick people during the winter. Well once I wasn't there for 6 months (had a baby) and everything was different, even the computers. I had to learn everything over. There were newbies telling me what to do but I was higher position. Weird. I quickly got my groove back though. Good Luck getting back into it.
1 person likes this
@3lilangels (4639)
• United States
9 Nov 07
aww my friend,i know its probaply really tough right now but it will get better as time goes by,i know i would feel the same way because especially the fact that you worked there,it would botther me somw what,but one day at a time dear,next you know you will be answering the questions left and right.pattie ps.hang in there
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
9 Nov 07
Thanks! :)
I know it will get better, and I'm trying to keep that in mind. It's just so weird not to feel as confident as usual in myself and my job. Yesterday only one of the customers I know really well came in though, so I'm sure once more of them see that I'm back, I'll feel confident again. :)
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
9 Nov 07
*nods* Well, I'm already very friendly with my bosses and such, I've been working there for three and a half years or so, and everyone likes me. It's just weird coming back after being away for several months, because there are new people there I don't know, and they seem more at home than I do, even though I worked there years before them. It's just a matter of settling in again.
