Lack of work, should I be worried about my position?

Question

As the title states.

There is an extreme lack of work for me, to the point where I have done no more than maybe 30 minutes worth of work in 3 days. At first it was just annoying as I like being productive and it's not as if I can keep my self busy at work, so I mostly just sit around reading up on things improving on older sites I've done.

Some things to note about my employer. I'm not allowed to work on any of my own projects, even if it's meant to benefit the company to a degree as idy be able to use it for us later on. Also they have a problem with watching any kind of video, including learning material.

I'm not sure if I should be scared for my job as everyone who works in or close to our department knows that.I don't have work anymore. I've run out of ways to try and seem proactive. And I try to study new things via documents but there's only so much learning you can do in a day.

Any advice?

Also note: I have asked for more work. I am waiting on a lot of things at the moment. Also another colleague had the same issue and indicated it to one of the bosses. They have been retrenched (laid off).

I know this is a temporary thing, but I'm scared bringing it to light will make it seem like a permanent thing and i'lly just be retrenched as well.

Clarification: "Retrenchment is a form of dismissal due to no fault of the employee, it is a process whereby the employer reviews its business needs in order to increase profits or limit losses, which leads to reducing its employees"

Answer 1

Only advice I can think of is to propose work rather than ask for it.

Think of something you think you could be doing, design a project, put together a proposal, send your boss a summary with a question that they can just reply "yes" to.

Ideally you could just start doing the work but you've indicated that the company doesn't like that, so this is the best I can recommend.

Answer 2

Some things to note about my Employer. Im not allowed to work on any of my own projects

Doing so would likely turn over the IP created in those personal projects over to the company, so it's good that you are not doing so as they would not be yours anymore.

I'm not sure if I should be scared for my job as everyone who works in or close to our department knows that.I dont have work anymore I've run out of ways to try and seem proactive.

From the sound of it you should be very worried, not only you sit most of the days twiddling your thumbs, but also no one seems to care - despite knowing that this is going on. This is about as big as red flags get, and a sign that you need to start hunting for a new job right away. Maybe by the time you will get an offer things will improve, but it seems as probably that eventually you will be let go instead.

I know this is a temporary thing but im scared bringing it to light will make seem like a permanent thing and i'll just be retrenched as well.

If this seems like an actual risk that bringing this to light may get you fired then you must make a choice - either take the risk (which can come in many forms - creating work for yourself, helping your boss/manager to create work etc) and do so because you care about the company more than you worry about possibly getting fired; or say nothing until you can find a new job somewhere else. Going the risk route can benefit you, and the company, you may get praised for showing your initiative, but then the risk is clearly that you will get fired. You have to make your own choices around that, but I certainly would start looking for a new job ASAP.