Saying no to promotions
Hey, looking for some advice here. I’m a 24 yr old landscape construction foreman. I’ve worked in the industry for 6 years, and became a foreman 2 years ago, on small and medium size jobs. Some important context - I’m a high functioning, autistic woman.
In the past year, but especially this season, my manager has started selling larger and larger jobs, and wants to upsize our department (I’ve worked here for 3 years).
Here’s the problem.
I love my job. I LOVE laying pavers and going home aching at the end of the day. I want to be running wheelies of concrete, and be covered in dirt and sweat. That’s what makes this job fun for me. That’s what gives me joy and meaning. With these larger jobs, I have been subtly pushed into more of a “project manager” role. I’ll be running crews of 6+ guys when the typical crew size for us is a 3 man crew.
I’m so torn with what to do, because I love my job and my company, but I know that the second I start running those jobs, my enjoyment is going to bottom out. I’m just finishing off a large job currently, and I am so incredibly burnt out. Managing people is absolutely exhausting for me. I don’t get to go home and rest, I have to plan jobs for the 6 guys on site and think of all the materials I have to get. I don’t get to actually “work” because I’m too busy assigning tasks and answering questions. I’ve tried to explain this to my boss and he just doesn’t seem to understand my issue. I can already feel myself losing my love for this job, and I don’t know what to do about it.