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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to stop covering my job-share partner's time off?

192 replies

JobShareDrama · 12/06/2026 12:34

I job share with a woman at work. We both work 2 days each. I’ve covered for her a few times when she had child care issues during school holidays, but never had her cover for me yet.

I asked her in Jan to cover my 2 week holiday in July and she agreed. A few days ago she sent me a list of all the days and weeks she needs me to cover. I agreed to them, even though it’s not convenient for me, as she’s covering for me.

I agreed to them all, and on doing so she immediately sent me a return message saying she can no longer cover my holiday, leaving me in the lurch.

So, I’ve covered for her multiple times, and she’s not once returned the favour.

I feel like saying I’m not doing her dates then, but then this will pretty much ring the death bell on a cordial working relationship. TBH I’m sick of being a peacekeeper and mug to people.

AIBU to from henceforth just say I’m not free to cover her days off?

OP posts:
HoskinsChoice · 12/06/2026 12:44

This is your line manager's job, not yours. She should not be allowed to chop and change like that. You need a proper working schedule and diary management so that cover is booked in officially.

Dunnocantthinkofone · 12/06/2026 12:44

dear CF
As you are well aware, holiday cover was mutually agreed as a reciprocal arrangement. As you have yet to undertake your part in this arrangement and have now cancelled at very short notice, it is clearly not a workable solution
Therefore I will schedule a meeting to discuss future cover arrangements with management

AImportantMermaid · 12/06/2026 12:44

I would just tell her straight - ‘Sandra, the whole cover thing isn’t working and it has become very inconvenient for me, especially when you are unable to reciprocate. Cancel the cover I initially agreed to, and from now on we keep to our own scheduled timetables’.

Do you get paid when you cover for her?

Larrythecatforpm · 12/06/2026 12:43

Just tell her you’ve checked your calender and reliezed you can’t cover her dates anymore. She did to you, do the same to her.

BreadInCaptivity · 12/06/2026 12:43

Simply tell her that due to you have to rearrange your schedule to cover the days she had previously agreed to cover for you, you no longer have the days free to cover for her.

That said, I’m confused why you need cover from her to take annual leave.

Even if you job share your leave entitlements / sickness / authorised or unauthorised absences should be separate and personal to you and her not part of the same pot as it were.

BeardySchnauzer · 12/06/2026 12:42

Yep I’d respond and say ‘on the basis it doesn’t appear to be a mutual agreement anymore then I won’t be able to cover your dates and we will need to speak to management to agree what to do regarding cover in future’

it shouldn’t be up to the two of you to do favours for each other. Your management should have a plan for covering holidays

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 12/06/2026 12:42

"Oh no! I've checked my family calendar and realised i can't actually cover any of those dates for you either! No worries about my holiday though I'll speak to management and find an alternative solution"

I wouldnt do her a single favour again. Ever.

ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 12/06/2026 12:41

If she can "no longer cover your holiday"... why can't you do the same??

LoftyCoralBird · 12/06/2026 12:40

This would be the last time I said yes to her

Ultravox · 12/06/2026 12:40

Absolutely would be speaking to management on this one! She’s a CF for sure.

Thehop · 12/06/2026 12:40

What castle rasher said

back out; cheeky cow

BettyscakeShop · 12/06/2026 12:39

Why do you have to cover each others annual leave?

CastleCrasher · 12/06/2026 12:39

"Disappointed to hear this, CheekyBitch, especially as you had already agreed. I'll discuss with management as my holiday is already booked and arrangements made on the basis of your agreement to cover. As you've changed the arrangement, I may need to make other arrangements for (days you said you'd cover) so would suggest you make alternative arrangements for cover"

Furrydogmum · 12/06/2026 12:38

If she is saying she can't do dates she previously agreed I can't see why you should feel the need to do hers tbf.

Dunnocantthinkofone · 12/06/2026 12:37

You don’t HAVE a cordial working relationship though do you? You have one where she takes and you give.
Stop allowing yourself to be used and speak to your manager

July is almost upon us - if she can bale at that sort of notice, so can you. Until you draw a line in the sand, she will continue to take the piss

Peonies12 · 12/06/2026 12:37

By cover do you mean work extra days? Surely neither of you should do that if so? Unless paid for the extra days.

Loulou4022 · 12/06/2026 12:36

I don’t think there’s much you can do now that you’ve agreed to her dates however any future days I would be refusing to cover! Ever!