What would you think if this happened to you??

[singyswife]

This is confusing so bear with me. I have been a creche worker for 18 months now. I have recently taken on a job with Sure Start and did my first creche for them today. I was placed with a woman I already know and 2 other women. Midway through the creche (6 kids one with sn) I was spoken to by a non creche staff member regarding letting lo's stand up to look out of the window at the football (I did my training and deemed this particular activity to be ok, anyway that is besides the point). After that the creche worker who I know (lets call her X) leaves the room to take a child to the toilet at which point one of the other creche workers stands up and starts shouting "X better not think she is sitting playing with that baby all day when there are 5 other children in here and one with sn". I was a bit by this but carry on playing with the children. We then went down to the hall and X wanted to stay upstairs with the baby and leave us with the other 5 children, she was promptly told by other staff to move it. When all children had gone home I was tidying up and filling in forms etc and they started talking about X again, I went to leave because I am not into bitching and they said to me "she has been here for 4 weeks now and all she does is sit and play with the baby and if baby is sleeping she sits and rocks the pram, we have spoken to someone about it but nothing has been done and if nothing is done we wont be back". I said that I would buck my ideas up next week as this was only my first week and I didnt know the kids. They said that I was fantastic and got in there, helped with snack., got down and played with the kids and took my turn at the 1-1 with the sn child. But, I am worried that they will talk about me being useless and I wont get any more work with this company. I know a few people who know the other creche workers so I can find out if they like to moan, they said they dont normally moan but she was doing their head in. Sorry its a long one just wondered if I should be worried.

[flowerybeanbag]

Not sure why you think you should be worried singyswife? They don't think you are useless do they?

They are not being particularly professional discussing your colleague in that way, but if they've tried to raise their concerns with the manager and nothing has been done, it's understandable for them to be frustrated.

Do you feel their complaints are totally unjustified and that's why you are concerned they might do the same with you?

[singyswife]

No they actually were justified in what they said, I have worked with this woman before and she is only interested in babies. I am just woried that I have came in to a team which was already in existence and they said to my face that I was fine but what will they say about ME when I am not around. Hopefully it was just them venting their frustration. I hope X is away next week and not them because then I will be the one who is frustrated and I dont get paid enough for that.

[flowerybeanbag]

It does sound as though they were venting their perfectly justified frustration and I really wouldn't worry. Just carry on doing the good job you are already doing, I'm sure it will be fine.

[Craggy]

bitchy bitchy.

if you can, ignore it, if it is going to bother you in the future do not do it.

Bitchy environments are horrid.

[singyswife]

I didnt say anything about X as I dont know the other women and didnt want them bitching back to her with things I had said. I was so happy to be starting this job as it is just what I want to be doing and then this happens and puts a dampner on it for me.

[RuthT]

If you are feeling particularly courageous you could ask if they have talked to X about it themselves.

If you feel it is justified and it is your view you could also talk to her directly.

If this is just short term then I would do what the others suggest and just keep your head down, do the role and don't add to the atmosphere.

[singyswife]

Hi, thank you for your replies. I had a phone call from the woman who runs the creche yesterday evening saying that she was sorry there was an atmosphere in the creche yesterday but the other ladies had issues with X and did I have a problem coming back next time as the didnt want to lose me. She then asked if I felt that the comments made by the other women were justified.

I felt very akward at this point but just said that I had worked with X several times before and she was a bit of a baby hogger. I didnt say anymore than that. I didnt agree with the comments or say anything about X directly cause as a person she is lovely. I hope I have done the right thing.

However on the plus side they did like me and said I did my job very well so at least I am safe. I am just worried what will happen to X now.

[jimjamshaslefttheyurt]

Gosh I don't like the way they talk about the child with SN.

But that's probably just me.