Feeling miffed and I don't think I can do anything about it.Work related

[wakeupandsmellthecoffee]

This will be long as don't want to drip feed .
I work 6 days a week .I work 5days a week in one job and every Saturday at a centre for disabled people.
I have been there approximately five years and .I used to work every other Saturday .
The centre started to offer outings to the service users ie cinema bowling that type of thing .
They needed a driver for the mini bus .That person had to have a clean driving licence with a certain amount of years experience and be over a certain age.Plus the confidence to take this on .
Out of about 30 staff members I was the only one who said I would be willing to give it a go .
We agreed that two drivers would be better than one but as I was the only one willing to do it we just carried on .And I said I would work EVERY Saturday.(to be honest the money comes in handy )
This has been going on a year now .In that year I have had no sick days at all and have only taken my annual leave of two weeks holiday of which I gave them plenty of notice .
They are now seeing a new staff member on Saturday and they are going to ask her if she wants to do the driving .
I feel really miffed and undervalued .I've done it for a year with no problems so why change it .
I realise that we need another driver but why can't she do it when I'm on holiday or when I'm sick .
As a new contract they could take her on with this offer .

[LadyLuck10]

Maybe they want her to gain some experience as opposed to wait until you are sick/ on leave? They did want two drivers initially so now maybe they have found someone who fits their criteria.

[ALittleFaith]

Why don't you suggest you do alternate weeks? I bet they're assuming since you work 6 days a week you're shattered and would appreciate someone else taking on the responsibility! I think they're trying to help but going about it the wrong way.

[Cornettoninja]

I appreciate why your not loving the situation, but from a service/company position it's never a good idea to be so reliant on one person. I would also hazard a guess that only offering an odd job to cover your sickness/holiday isn't going to attract someone reliable or loyal.

I think you may have to hold your tongue over this one and appreciate that they're trying to do the best thing for the service and it's no reflection on the level of appreciation they feel or how well you do your job.

[Cauliflowersneeze1]

They probably want to train all new staff up as drivers as a precaution , you know like everybody being trained as a first aider

Have they actually said they will reduce your hours ?

[Stealthpolarbear]

So if they take her on will you no longer be needed on saturdays?

[Monathevampire1]

YABVVU yes you've being doing it for a year but mostly because you want the money. From a service/business perspective they are very sensible picking someone who can provide similar cover to you.

[raltheraffe]

I would think they want two drivers in their employ so that if you were sick there would be a stand in.

Look at your contract of employment and see what your rights are regarding this.

I would be fuming in your situation.

[Viviennemary]

Would this other person only be working Saturdays or would they be doing more days. Will this mean you lose your job or you will do other work on Saturdays. I think you are right to be annoyed.

[wakeupandsmellthecoffee]

MV if I don't bother to go into work they don't go on an outing .A few times I've felt under the weather but still gone in .So yes the money is nice but I feel a moral responsibility to go in .(do you have to come across as antagonistic )
No my hours won't be cut as I can stay at the place they still use for the day and work the same hours .
The other lady who I've met before is very nice .She also works five days a week and this would be her sixth day of work .
I get the whole thing of it being better to have two drivers but I do feel miffed that I've been doing it for a year never taken sick days and then it's like ok thanks but you can only go out every other week now .
The other lady could quite easily stay in and work on site .

[cansu]

They probably have no idea that you are cross. I would tell them that you have put a lot into the driving and would like to continue with this part of your job. Suggest that the new person fills in for you when your are sick.

[wakeupandsmellthecoffee]

I have asked this question
My manager announced the driver update in a staff meeting
A quiet word before would have been appreciated
When I asked she dodged the question She usually does this
She is meeting this other staff member on Saturday so I have to wait a week to see what's happening
Now I feel really undervalued

[tigermoll]

Sorry, I'm confused - it has been inconvenient and made you feel pressured to work every Saturday (even when ill) to be the only driver, BUT you are miffed that they have taken on another driver to share the load, even though it won't mean you losing any hour?
You sound like a bit of a martyr, TBH.

[LordEmsworth]

You shouldn't be going into work when you're ill.

You shouldn't be driving when you're ill.

The idea that your employer should be grateful to you for working through illness is not particularly healthy. And why are you only taking 2 weeks' annual leave? The statutory minimum is 20 days plus bank holidays.

I agree your manager should have spoken to you beforehand, but if I were them I would have assumed it's a great thing for you - less pressure and not feeling forced into it. Your perspective is that they are punishing you - whereas mine is that they are finally doing what they should have done a year ago, if they care about their employees at all...

[Unexpected]

if you have taken two weeks of holiday in a year (from what is your second job) then that's not even enough time off. I'm not surprised they want to have someone to share the driving, before you fall over from overwork! On the one hand, you sound somewhat martyred about having had to take on all the driving and double the amount of time you work for the company. On the other hand, you are now miffed that they are trying to lighten your workload. You may be happy to continue but the company need to look at business needs and best practise and it is not acceptable for them to use only one driver who is working six days a week for all of the driving. It would also leave them with no back-up if you become ill or decide to leave the job for any reason.

[wakeupandsmellthecoffee]

Going to go through points people have made
No one has pressured me to work verbally but if your the only driver it would surly be assumed you would work every week

[wakeupandsmellthecoffee]

I definitely didn't say ill I said under the weather
You can't work when ill as you may pass the illness onto people who are medically vulnerable

[wakeupandsmellthecoffee]

The annual leave thing sorry I wasn't clear
I take two weeks summer leave
But we are paid for one Saturday at Christmas and one at Easter for our holiday pay so in essence I have five Saturday's off a year

[wakeupandsmellthecoffee]

Lord E
I totally agree we they should have found a driver a year ago and that's why it makes it so hard after doing it for a year

[Vivacia]

TALK TO THEM!!

Tell the relevant person that you need a few minutes with them for a private conversation today, and when would be convenient. Then tell them that you are pleased they are appointing another driver, and that being the only one has made you feel under pressure, however you feel a bit undervalued because... (I'm not sure why, but that's not important).

[wakeupandsmellthecoffee]

I suppose I do sound a bit of a Marty
But you get used to doing things and I love the driving
I will just have to see what happens

[Monathevampire1]

Maybe you could drive one week and stay in the other, the other lady could do the same? You'd still get paid and still do outings just not every week.

[wakeupandsmellthecoffee]

Mona
Yes I think that will happen
Hey ho life moves on