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AIBU?

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Original poster

HR calling me on my day off

90 replies

Notsurewhatithink · 20/11/2024 13:25

I have been experiencing some health problems which require reasonable adjustments in the workplace. I thought I was managing this well with my line manager. Today, however, I received a phone call out of the blue from the person who does our HR, to discuss "support" for me, as I had expressed "needs" to them (I have a formal diagnosis, which I think shared with management). However, I do not work on Wednesdays and the caller ID did not come up as my work, so I answered as I was concerned it was my son's school.

AIBU to be pissed off to be called about work-related issues like this on my day off? It can absolutely wait until tomorrow. I have not had more than half a day in a row off for this condition (or a full day for anything else since February), so it's not like I am never in work for them to speak to me! I was in the library with my toddler and now I am fucking paranoid they're trying to cut me loose!

OP posts:
whatcanthematterbe81 · 20/11/2024 16:05

Is it that big of a deal? Sounds like they want to help

Original poster
Notsurewhatithink · 20/11/2024 16:03

Thanks everyone. I am aware I am probably overthinking this, that is part of the condition I have been diagnosed with unfortunately. HR knew it was my day off, because they wouldn't phone if it wasn't as they'd know I was in class. They even said in the voicemail that they knew!(only just listened to this). This is by no means the first time they've called me on my day off without notice, and it really pisses me off. As for them just wanting to help: I disclosed my condition at the start of September and no one had shown any interest in it until now. It turns out my LM has asked them to put more structured support in place, but HR didn't mention this, I just got some wishy washy we want to support you because you have expressed needs. I told them I was fine managing my condition with the support of my LM. Because they didn't tell me my LM had asked them to intervene, I've now unintentionally made myself look obstructive. They caught me completely off guard, precisely because it was my day off. It just feels intrusive and I should have told them to call back another time, but because they caught me off guard I wasn't thinking and got railroaded into having this conversation.

Also, it's not unheard of for performance concerns to be dressed up as faux concern for an employee's wellbeing, certainly not in schools...

OP posts:
Raquelos · 20/11/2024 13:41

It's good to have boundaries about not wanting to speak with work on non-working days, IMO. As others have said, it is likely that whoever called you was unaware of your working pattern so this won't have been intentional. As someone who has worked in HR, I can confirm that saying that you aren't working today and can you have this conversation another time would be received with no issues at all.

HRs job is to make sure that the company is fulfilling its legal obligations to make reasonable adjustments for employees with health issues so that will have been what was behind the call, not any intention to cut you loose. In fact, making someone redundant who has just disclosed a health condition would be something they would likely avoid as it would look like discrimination which could cost them a lot at a tribunal.

Typically the first steps HR would take to get rid of an employee would be to start to have conversations about performance, that's the call you would need to be worried about, not this one. I hope that reassures you a bit.

JimPanzee · 20/11/2024 13:41

Delatron · 20/11/2024 13:35

It is annoying but I’m guessing they didn’t know it was your day off? I’d have said - ‘so sorry I don’t work Wednesdays and it’s inconvenient to talk right now - I’ll be in tomorrow’:

Yes, that's all that you need to say 😏

Mumlaplomb · 20/11/2024 13:39

I work part time. In the rare event someone from work calls me on my day off, unless it’s life or death I tell them it’s my non working day and I will call them when I’m back at work.

CointreauVersial · 20/11/2024 13:38

Not unreasonable for them to call you.....but also not unreasonable to say sorry, you are off today and would prefer to speak tomorrow.

If you're a teacher, is there actually time in the working day for you to speak to HR?

Delatron · 20/11/2024 13:36

Ah I’ve seen your update. I’d have still said the same but yes I would have been annoyed. I’d very much reiterate you don’t work Wednesdays and they can speak to you about work on any other day of the week.

Delatron · 20/11/2024 13:35

It is annoying but I’m guessing they didn’t know it was your day off? I’d have said - ‘so sorry I don’t work Wednesdays and it’s inconvenient to talk right now - I’ll be in tomorrow’:

Original poster
Notsurewhatithink · 20/11/2024 13:34

I'm a teacher, they definitely know it is my day off as there is zero flexibility!

OP posts:
TouchOfSilverShampoo · 20/11/2024 13:33

She called to offer help. She isn't a mind reader, yes oversight that it's your day off.

But it's not hard to put on your big girl pants and say, I'm actually not working today, can you come and grab me tomorrow when I'm in the office.

feathermucker · 20/11/2024 13:32

Maybe they didn't know it was your day off and are just trying to be proactive in their response?

Just say you aren't available to talk and ask them to phone back if this happens.

You're probably overthinking the call

PortiasBiscuit · 20/11/2024 13:30

HR will have your personal number, what they may not have to hand is information about your working hours. It’s okay to say, I’m not generally working today, can we speak tomorrow.
There’s really nothing to get pissed off about, they are trying to help you.

Deerrobin · 20/11/2024 13:29

Did HR know it was your day off (I mean I’m sure they could have checked but was it an oversight or did they deliberately call knowing it was your day off)? Did they insist on having the conversation once you told them that or were they happy to wait until you’re next in?

Cosyblankets · 20/11/2024 13:26

Did they know it was your day off? Without knowing how big the organisation is it's hard to say

Itsannamay · 20/11/2024 13:25

Did she call your personal number? Or work phone?

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