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AIBU?

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AIBU to think that.....

69 replies

BuckaDuck · 02/10/2024 17:20

As an adult you shouldn't need your mum to complain for you?

Basically at work I told a none disabled adult to move their car from the disabled bay as a disabled staff member needed it. I wasn't shouting or even raising my voice but I was firm in my instruction & said that the disabled person had made a complaint to me.

They did move their car but not before telling me that they were not happy with how I spoke to them & that they were unwell today & there was no other parking (this was untrue there was many spaces in the over flow).

Several hours later her mum called my manager and made a complaint that I had upset her adult daughter.

AIBU to think my organisation should not accept the mums complaint but ask the staff member to complain herself?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Thelnebriati · 16/10/2024 09:29

If an employer has made a reasonable adjustment for a disabled person and another member of staff uses it, the employer could be leaving themselves open to a discrimination claim unless they tell them to stop.

BuckaDuck · 16/10/2024 09:12

Botanybaby · 08/10/2024 17:30

It's not a stretch it's a suggestion

My nd child takes everything to heart and I mean everything he has made himself physically sick because one person rolled their eyes at his actions

The op has no idea how this colleague thinks or feels and if their mum has felt it necessary to complain then it is what it is.

Op must know they overstepped somehow for it to even be a concern to them to post online

I didn't over step. I told a "none disabled" none blue badge holder staff member to move their car out of the disabled space so that a disabled person who needed it could use it. While I admit I did not use pleasantries it was a basic instruction I gave her.

My concern was not the feelings of the staff member who isn't entitled to use the space & they know it, my concern was the distressed staff member who's disability means coming to working is already a physical & emotional burden which our disabled parking goes somewhere to reducing.

Can I ask Botany why you haven't once shown thought for the disabled person?

OP posts:
BuckaDuck · 16/10/2024 08:59

powerflash · 09/10/2024 10:45

i’d have thought that was pretty clear 😆

That the OP has started a number of threads regarding past interactions with this particular colleague

No I haven't.
Why are you lying?

Sorry I haven't been back. I have been very busy but I do have an update.

There was no formal complaint made by the mother & my manager informed me that had there been, it would not have been taken seriously.

For those saying the none disabled staff member could be ND yes she could however you are missing the fact that this person does a complex job, & drives so has no problem understanding rules. They chose to park in that spot knowing it was designated to disabled people. Her actions caused distress & pain to a disabled staff member but some of you have forgotten about the disabled person in this & are focusing on the none disabled one who made a conscious decision.

OP posts:
NoDought · 09/10/2024 19:56

Well I think you have your explanation as to why this entitled adult thinks she has the right to park in a disabled spot when not disabled, as her mother has clearly never told her when she is in the wrong. It’s quite embarrassing isn’t it?

SophiaJ8 · 09/10/2024 19:39

powerflash · 09/10/2024 10:45

i’d have thought that was pretty clear 😆

That the OP has started a number of threads regarding past interactions with this particular colleague

Well, the colleague sounds pretty infuriating

Deeperthantheocean · 09/10/2024 19:38

Oh dear, unless your colleague is ND and needs her Mum to speak for her, this is just not done. No badge, no park, as clear as that.

Need to know if she has a form of undiagnosed illness which doesn't quite qualify for disabled or if she is just entitled? Xx

SophiaJ8 · 09/10/2024 18:38

No, they’re batshit.

We’ve had DM’s of young grads ring in to work to try to say their darling DC is sick, they are given short shrift; employees have to ring themselves, they’re adults.

With mothers like this, you can see how some people are spoilt and entitled.

pollymere · 09/10/2024 18:35

I get cross when anyone uses a Disabled Bay without a Blue Badge. I love that she got her Mum involved. Is she nine?! 😂🤦‍♀️ It doesn't matter how ill she felt, Disabled Bays are there to improve the lives of those who would struggle in a regular bay.

powerflash · 09/10/2024 10:45

Idontjetwashthefucker · 09/10/2024 10:38

What are you trying to imply

i’d have thought that was pretty clear 😆

That the OP has started a number of threads regarding past interactions with this particular colleague

Idontjetwashthefucker · 09/10/2024 10:38

powerflash · 08/10/2024 17:49

I wonder how many threads you have started in the post about your workplace and in particular this colleague

What are you trying to imply

Welshmonster · 09/10/2024 10:28

I need to know what happened next? Did your manager back you up?
the manager should send an all staff email saying not to park in disabled spots without a blue badge or if the land is the company’s they can issue their own permits. My manager had one for the work disabled bays as they were awaiting hip replacements and the main car park was really far away.

this behaviour from parents is more common. I’ve heard mums calling employers for their 19 year old adults 😜 for trivial things

POTC · 08/10/2024 19:39

There is no law that covers parking in a disabled space on private land and this reads as though it was a company car park so private. The company may have a policy to fine but most don't.
I have an ND son. He was having actual issues at work when he was 16 and I guided him on what to say, helped him write a letter, and only stepped in and called him myself when the twunt of a manager wouldn't listen and put him on an 8am start on boxing day, a day he wasn't even supposed to be working, after he'd told them he had no transport in until 9am on any day because I have to drive him in and my disability means any earlier is not possible.
No parent of an ND child who is working outside the home is likely to decide that this was a battle to fight on their behave. Parent of a spoilt brat, absolutely!

Createausername1970 · 08/10/2024 18:05

Totally agree with OP, no question.

But I would like to put my head above the parapet and say that as a mum to an ND adult son I have spoken to his manager. Not to complain, but just to clarify something when I could see a situation arising when he hadn't been there that long. The manager was actually quite pleased I did call as she had not been made aware by HR that he was ND and she could then see the issue from his point of view, and the problem was resolved.

powerflash · 08/10/2024 17:49

I wonder how many threads you have started in the post about your workplace and in particular this colleague

LostTheMarble · 08/10/2024 17:46

Botanybaby · 08/10/2024 17:30

It's not a stretch it's a suggestion

My nd child takes everything to heart and I mean everything he has made himself physically sick because one person rolled their eyes at his actions

The op has no idea how this colleague thinks or feels and if their mum has felt it necessary to complain then it is what it is.

Op must know they overstepped somehow for it to even be a concern to them to post online

You don’t know if the adult who selfishly parked in the spot is ND or not. If they’re able to drive, they’re able to understand the rules of driving and parking, and that means being pulled up when doing something wrong with your car. Would their mother also have called the council to say how mean they were being if the driver had been given a fine?

If (huge if) the woman is ND, I absolutely understand navigating awkward social situations (especially when in the wrong) can be distressing. But if she has the capacity to work this job, then she has the capacity to understand when she has done something worth being pulled up on. But unless the op or anyone else can confirm that’s the case, let’s keep it to ‘selfish arse thinks they can use disabled parking space, was pulled up on it, she and her mum overreacted in response’.

Botanybaby · 08/10/2024 17:30

LostTheMarble · 08/10/2024 07:07

That sounds like a huge stretch l! And as a parent of ND children, I’d comfort them if they were upset but I’d not be bloody impressed if they parked in a BB space just because they feel a bit ill. It’s not ‘bullying’ to say so, the fact the woman parked there to start with says a lot more about her character than the OPs.

That isn’t to say she wanted her mum to phone though. I once had a moan about my workplace being too warm and really needed a fan or air con as I was starting to feel ill after each shift. My boyfriend at the time messaged my boss to complain - I was absolutely mortified!! I read him the riot act, said it wasn’t his place to bring it up.

It's not a stretch it's a suggestion

My nd child takes everything to heart and I mean everything he has made himself physically sick because one person rolled their eyes at his actions

The op has no idea how this colleague thinks or feels and if their mum has felt it necessary to complain then it is what it is.

Op must know they overstepped somehow for it to even be a concern to them to post online

HollaHolla · 08/10/2024 16:36

Oh, and my mother has phoned my work once, in my entire 47 years. I had been in an accident, which had involved me being knocked down by a bus. I was flat on my back in hospital, and my phone & laptop broken by the impact. I thought that it would be ok for her to report my absence that one time.

HollaHolla · 08/10/2024 16:33

Botanybaby · 08/10/2024 06:50

Maybe mums complained because the way you spoke to their ill child has caused significant mental distress and they have returned home in a state . Maybe they are neuro diverse and you don't know that and your tone and way you spoke to them has triggered a melt down maybe they have significant mental health problems and you belittling and speaking to them in the way you did has had a significant impact

Of course mum has a right to complain if your manners have caused someone distress and they are not feeling able to raise the concern themselves

You sound a bit of a bully

However nonone should be in a disabled bay without a blue badge

Just no. This person was a non-disabled adult. It's not appropriate for their mother to fight their battles for them.
I work with students, and their parents call in to complain/ask questions. We don't speak with them, because - guess what - their offspring are young adults.
This is a bonkers approach for parents to be involved in the workplace.

Manthide · 08/10/2024 16:29

I recently had a difficult time at work - I worked all day, at the start I had been timed and told I had to go quicker. I was only told once. Everyone else had done that job all day the day before and I hadn't. Anyway we finished the job on time and I helped tidy up at the end. The supervisors both thanked me. I got in my car and had a phone call that I'd been fired!
My mum wanted to phone in and complain about my treatment. I'm 60 next year!!

Skate76 · 08/10/2024 15:41

FrauleinGreen · 08/10/2024 07:59

Ludicrous having a parent ring your work, although I would love to ring my daughters work, where she works for weeks with no day off, 12 hour days too.

however I won’t, because she is an adult, although she does have a legitimate grievance against them.

I once had an adult employees mum phone me up to say how sick her son was, I wasnt pleased.to be honest

I was particularly displeased when another branch rang me to say that he was there, chatting to them all, instead of being at work, or home sick.

Edited

Don't complain to your DDs workplace, just inform the HSE they're breaching the working time directive and they'll take it from there 👍 there are stiff fines for breaches. You don't even need to give your daughter's name, just let them know the shift patterns they're making people do. She should have 1 day off a week or 2 days in 2 weeks, she shouldn't work over 48 hours a week (averaged over 17 weeks) unless she's signed the option out then it's 60 hours and she should have at least 11 hours between shifts, amoung other rules.

Thelnebriati · 08/10/2024 11:08

If I were your manager in this situation, the only thing I would say is ''next time don't say 'the disabled person has made a complaint', as that passes the buck to them and increases the risk of further conflict.''
They shouldn't park in a blue badge space without a blue badge. Thats the rule to enforce.

StMarieforme · 08/10/2024 10:51

ViaRia01 · 02/10/2024 17:44

Generally, an adult shouldn’t need their mother to speak for them or raise complaints on their behalf. That’s true.

OP, in your job are you privy to the personal information of the ‘non-disabled person’ and certain that they do not have a genuine need for parental support in these circumstances? I understand they shouldn’t have parked there without a blue badge but that doesn’t mean that they are fully independent and able to handle this sort of confrontation.

Another relevant point, I think, is does your role give you the authority to resolve parking disputes on behalf of the disabled employee? Perhaps it does, but that doesn’t really come across as the case in your OP. Did they need you to speak on their behalf? Or did you take this upon yourself? I do think this will determine whether or not your manager will/ should back you up.

The space needs a blue badge. The person who took the space didn't have one. As an employee the OP was fully entitled to point this out to allow the person who dies have one to utilise the space.

Paganpentacle · 08/10/2024 10:28

Botanybaby · 08/10/2024 06:50

Maybe mums complained because the way you spoke to their ill child has caused significant mental distress and they have returned home in a state . Maybe they are neuro diverse and you don't know that and your tone and way you spoke to them has triggered a melt down maybe they have significant mental health problems and you belittling and speaking to them in the way you did has had a significant impact

Of course mum has a right to complain if your manners have caused someone distress and they are not feeling able to raise the concern themselves

You sound a bit of a bully

However nonone should be in a disabled bay without a blue badge

She sounds like someone rightfully asking someone to move out of a restricted space which she was not entitled to use. You know… not being disabled and that.
I despair at the level of entitlement and the attempts at justification and what-ifs ..
Pathetic.

orangegato · 08/10/2024 08:16

Where does the mum draw the line? Still wiping her daughter’s arse in 5/10/20 years?

I’d have had to choke back laughter. All the ND comments are completely irrelevant, if she did have a meltdown as a result of being rightly told to fuck off out of a disabled bay that is a problem with her REACTION not a problem with the employer.

Toooldtopretend · 08/10/2024 08:04

My mum offered to call my boss when I was ill in my early twenties, absolutely no way, I’d have been mortified.

You do wonder what goes through people’s minds, especially when they were in the wrong for parking in the disabled space.

I really don’t think you should give this any of your worry time OP, I would hope that your boss would just laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. And the employee should realise that they can’t expect to be taken seriously there ever again!