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Original poster

Colleague deliberately staying late at work just to accrue TOIL?

213 replies

KatParr · 14/09/2024 08:15

She admitted yesterday she'd been staying past her contracted times, 10-15 mins here and there deliberately and has managed to accrue a whole week of TOIL!? we are a very small team who has an issue (imo) with sickness. Although we all have different roles, it inevitably impacts everyone when someone is off, even for leave. She also arranges appointments and runs regular "errands" on her working days (so leaves the workplace for up to an hour) when she has every Monday and Tuesday off. She is incredibly skillful at "looking busy" and talking constantly about having loads to do. Yes, I do notice it because none of us imo are busy enough to accrue TOIL.

She said she has leave left but wanted to 'save' it. I'm feeling pissed off. She has no reason to stay late every day as she does, genuinely, it's not that kind of role. I'm thinking of speaking to the manager about what she said regarding the TOIL. AIBU or should I keep my nose out?

OP posts:
TheLever · 14/09/2024 08:31

I banned this practice at work because this started to cripple the business. Managers should be keeping an eye on this. When I got a promotion as manager this was the first thing I put a stop to. We had someone doing this every few months they had 5 weeks holiday a year plus 3 extra weeks of TOIL from staying 15-30 mins regularly for no valid reason. Now anyone can only accrue 8 hours at a time and all TOIL has to be agreed with a manager before it is worked. The TOIL has to be used in 8 weeks cannot be saved up for longer. You can’t accrue new TOIL unless you have used up your hours first.

DrummingMousWife · 14/09/2024 08:29

I’d raise it. It’s taking the pee if they are having a whole week off and you’ll be covering for them in an already impacted team.

Zanatdy · 14/09/2024 08:27

Your workplace needs some rules in place. We are on flexi, but you can only build 3 working days per month (pro-rated for part timers). You also need to do extra work, not just sit there looking busy. So your daily target would increase if you worked an extra hour etc.

Doingmybest12 · 14/09/2024 08:27

I'd be surprised if she can take a whole week as TOIL. I'm usually in the let others get on with it camp but I think here I'd ask for the TOIL policy just to refresh my understanding and hope it nudges others to notice too, including manager who would have to agree the week off.

Harvestfestivalknickers · 14/09/2024 08:21

hihihithere · 14/09/2024 08:16

It's none of your business though

Of course it is when it impacts everyone when she is off.

AgnesX · 14/09/2024 08:20

If it's obvious then it won't go unnoticed. As for hours out of the office is that not the point of Flexi and is that why she's working later?

Really, mind your own business and stay out of it if it doesn't affect you or your work.

theboywantstogoupthefield · 14/09/2024 08:20

It wouldn't bother me atall. Makes no difference to you

Chester23 · 14/09/2024 08:19

I dont know how your workplace works but if we stayed without permission we wouldn't receive anything and it needs to be authorised. Surely your manager must already know and has authorised it or does your system automatically do this?

DarkForces · 14/09/2024 08:19

There's usually strict limits in organisation's policies about how much TOIL can be built up, when it can be built up and how it can be used. If your employer has implemented a flexi system with no clear rules to avoid this there's nothing you can do.

KnottedTwine · 14/09/2024 08:19

Well it is her business if her colleague is slacking off and disappearing for extended periods during the working day. I don't understand this idea that we all operate in isolation at all times and nothing anyone ever does should affect us.

What is your manager doing when she's fannying about and "having" to stay late because she's so overworked?

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 14/09/2024 08:18

Is it adversely affecting you, eg making the work hard to do or undone? Is it having a genuine impact on the team or putting customers/service users at risk?
If so then raise a concern

If not then don't.

LadyMacbethssweetArabianhand · 14/09/2024 08:18

Do not go to your manager about this. It will look like you are jealous. Do go to your manager and ask if the work is fairly distributed because you've noticed Janice needs to work longer hours than the rest and you are concerned about her health. 🤣

hihihithere · 14/09/2024 08:16

It's none of your business though