u/nil-vice

To explain the situation, I'm based in the UK and started with a company this year after being out of work.

Before I started, I was told the job was fully remote and that the holiday allowance was 30 days a year, but public holidays weren't automatically included. So if I wanted to take bank holidays off, I'd effectively have 22 days to use as I wish.

After I joined, the company found out I'll be moving to a city about two hours away from their office, and now they're pointing to a policy saying I have to come in every two weeks. It's supposedly in the employee handbook, but I've never received one, and when I asked for a copy I was told it's still being prepared.

Then I discovered they also have a shutdown for about a week and a half, which means I'll have to use 7 days of my annual leave during that period. And if I also take the bank holidays off, which I probably would want to since everyone is off anyway, I'd only have 15 days of annual leave left for the rest of the year. Most places I've worked at or seen are closer to 26 days plus bank holidays.

Is this fair / would you put up with it? Either way, why?

I do genuinely like the role itself, which is why I'm conflicted, but these policies are really bothering me. I'd like to know what you would do if you were in my position!

I see a lot of people going straight from undergrad into a master's or further study without any work experience and without a clear plan, and that's very strange. "I need this degree so I can get to xyz role." Fine, but has an employer said that? Have recruiters, hiring managers, or job postings repeatedly proven that? 8 out of 10 companies will choose the new graduate with a bachelor's who can prove they're capable, and if they like your performance, many places have tuition help or programs that can pay for grad school later.

A lot of people spend huge amounts of money because they assume companies are sitting around waiting for candidates with master's degrees. Most of the time, you're just delaying your career and taking on more debt without even knowing whether it will help you or not. Get into the field first, then decide whether more education makes sense.

Of course, this doesn't apply to medicine, law, clinical tracks, or fields where an advanced degree is literally required. But if you're in business, data/analytics, most sciences, computer science, teaching, etc., look for internships, co-ops, entry-level roles, research experience - anything that gives you real exposure. Turn that into a job, learn what the market rewards, and then get a master's if you still think it's necessary.

We're not in pre-2012 anymore. Your skills, experience, and ability to do the work matter more than stacking another degree on top of a bachelor's just because you're anxious about starting.

I'm in the tech field, and honestly, I've reached my limit with burnout. The problem isn't with my manager at all; he's relaxed and doesn't pressure me.

The real problem comes from people who aren't on my direct team. They send requests all the time. I always find myself trying to finish everything at lightning speed so no one gets delayed, even small tasks that aren't super urgent.

I talked to a couple of my colleagues, and they all seem to have a talent for not letting this endless stream of requests affect them. They ignore this constant barrage of requests.
I need to learn how to slow down a bit. Are there any strategies or mindset shifts you've found helpful so I don't worry about everyone else's urgency?