Under appreciated at work - working to rule

[Funkyfriends]

So I made a previous thread but I posted it when emotions were running high (never a good idea) and it made me seem like I have a bad attitude which I absolutely don’t.

So my office is a small business, there’s only 6 of us, we all worked from home during the first lockdown with no problems, job can easily be done from home, we all worked well, when we came back into the office my boss even said that all our figures were up.

Now I care for my parents so am very very cautious when it comes to coronavirus and keeping safe so when we came back into the office I requested to WFH but was refused. Fine, wasn’t particularly happy but not a lot I can do.

Now we have to self isolate after someone in the office tested positive and have been told that we have to WFH again for the next 10 days and will not be allowed to WFH after this period.

Now I’ve worked in the office for about 12 years pretty much since the business started, I’ve always done lots of overtime, working evenings and weekends despite being salaried, helped decorate the office and because her parents live with her, have taken them to hospital appointments when she has had meetings with new clients.

All of this has left me in a really horrible situation with my parents, worrying about their care. I had no issue with doing the above but would have liked to have seen some acknowledgment that I’ve helped her out that some consideration would have been given in me WFH.

I now no longer want to do anything extra than what is stated in my contract. I don’t think this will have a negative effect on me because nobody else in the office really did anything extra anyway, one woman has children so it’s isn’t possible for her to do anything extra and the other three are teenagers so no extra done there.

Has anybody else done this, was there any negative impact I’ve not thought about. I don’t particularly want to leave because it’s close to home, I enjoy my job and I like the people that I work with. Also am already earning most I could in the office so no real promotion opportunity, already qualified etc.

Sorry for the really long post.

Every time you work to rule you will feel miserable because you feel that the circumstances that led to it were unfair. That is bad for you.

Find another job or address the issues on this one again and be calm, positive and honest about how you feel and give them thinking time. If they don't change their minds, but you stay work properly rather than work to rule. Othereise you will be channelling negative energy every day you work and you lose and the business loses.

Why was your work at home request refused?

It sounds you’ve done too much for them so they think you’ll just accept it.

As above, work to rule tends to be more hard work (for you). You're constantly having to think 'should I be doing this', 'is x going to be annoyed if I don't do this', and that's not healthy.

Try it and see how it feels for you!

If she mentions it just remind her you are carer for your parents and are being careful "It's not like it used to be, is it? "

@AcornAutumn my boss just doesn’t agree with working from home, she’s a bit of a control freak so has to micro manage everything even though we all have our own independent projects.

In terms of working to rule, I don’t really have much rules per se, I have my own work to get on with and obviously I would never refuse to do a task, but my plan is to just stop doing overtime and to turn my computer off at half 5 which is my finish time.

[quote Funkyfriends]@AcornAutumn my boss just doesn’t agree with working from home, she’s a bit of a control freak so has to micro manage everything even though we all have our own independent projects.

In terms of working to rule, I don’t really have much rules per se, I have my own work to get on with and obviously I would never refuse to do a task, but my plan is to just stop doing overtime and to turn my computer off at half 5 which is my finish time.[/quote]
Well, I’d push it and say about your concerns again, put it in writing if you didn’t already.

Don’t think of leaving on time as working to rule. It’s just leaving on time.

@AcornAutumn yes sorry maybe working to rule is not quite the right phrase, I guess I just mean doing exactly what it says in my contact which is just basically start and finish times and notice so pretty basic.

I'd stop all the overtime and working evenings and weekends etc. That's just not on in my view. If there is too much work to be completed in your official hours, they should either employ someone else to do it, or pay you overtime.

Enforcing your boundaries and working to the best of your abilities as laid out in your contract - absolutely.

Muttering fuck you under your breath at regular 5 mins during overtime, refusing work off the cuff or stopping tasks without notice as it's not in your job description - not fine, find a new job.

i guess I just mean doing exactly what it says in my contact which is just basically start and finish times and notice so pretty basic

I do this, previously I've worked extra & over time but since having DD and going part time I just don't have time. If I was paid over time or get TOIL I'd be more than happy to do extra. There's also a risk that if you take o n too much it becomes expected even if you don't have time in your normal hours. I don't get paid enough for that!

What do you think you would gain from it? It sounds as if this action would be noticed so is it a passive aggressive way of getting your point across so you are hoping she reconsiders?

I am not criticising, just trying to understand if you simply want a more transactional relationship with no extras or if you want to force her hand.

Did you submit a formal flexible working request? If not, I would do that.

I completely understand your position as it must be quite disheartening to put extra time and effort into you job and then realise that your employer has no regard for your health or that of your parents.

You may also wish to consider whether your employer needs to be reported to either the local authority or the HSE as appropriate as it appears you're not operating in a covid secure way.

In terms of "working to rule", perhaps reframe it as a new years resolution to focus on your work life balance? As pp said, finishing on time shouldn't be out of the ordinary.

Not sure I'd class this as "work to rule" so much as re-establishing better workplace boundaries so you're not exploited.

Hate micromanagers they just suck the soul out don't they!!!!

I am close to doing something similar.

Having worked my backside off for years, to the point of being almost permanently at work, I have reached breaking point.

I was horrendously bullied and to cover the mess of how they dealt with it, the managers lied. My bully got a golden handshake and I have been left with a deep mistrust.

However, we are short staffed and the more you give - the more they ask to have. Because I’ve been ‘problematic’ I am the last to be offered overtime - there are always shifts but I get the shifts no one else wants to work. I’ve worked till now but I am sickened.

2021 will be my year of no overtime. If a colleague is desperate for something special then I will work but it will be for them to ask me first. I will not agree to management requests.

I’m looking forward to it. I know it isn’t work to rule as such but more of a doing what my contract asks of me to the best I can and that is it.

I am super grateful to have a job but I’m not going to dig them out of holes any more.

What is proposed is not within the spirit and maybe even the letter of the current Covid 19 restrictions. Which part of 'work from home if you can' does your manager not understand?

Perhaps a call to the HSE? Or a letter to her from your solicitor? Would the fear of a tribunal, legal action or even losing you at limited notice cause your manager to see sense?

Don't work to rule or take some other passive aggressive action.

@KatherineJaneway I guess there is nothing to gain from it as such, just some more free time.

I think it’s just that I was happy to do all the extras because I always sort of thought that when situations like this arose (not exactly this because who predicts there will be a pandemic 🙈🙈) that it would be remembered that I always helped her in a situation so she would be more likely to try and help me when I needed it.

@ArosGartref I do agree that’s it not as safe as it should be, we have sanitiser and I bring in my own wipes and gloves, and thankfully my desk is a little way away from others, but yes there is still one person that normally makes all the drinks (I bring in my own). I guess that it just felt very petty to report them based on the fact that I had been refused to work from home. But maybe that’s the attitude that has led to rising cases.

I suspect WFH would be setting a precedent a d may look unfair if she only agrees
To you and everyone else has to work from the office

Doing other things with your work boss perhaps just view that as you being a helpful and nice person and ok future just say sorry you don't have time and can she source another person for help

I'd definitely say try to let it go as it's bad for stress levels to feel aggrieved and pissed off - just smile and say I'm very sorry but I'm not free to future requests for your time

You can't report them because they won't let you work from home, that's not what I meant. I meant if they are not following covid guidelines in the office. You said you all had to isolate which implies you are not appropriately distanced and coming in to close contact without ppe.

The expression "working to rule" sounds a bit aggressive, you are simply working according to your contract if you decide not to go above and beyond then that is your choice. The alternative is to talk to your boss and explain your situation but they still have the right to say that you will attend your place of work.

@Funkyfriends

I see. I can understand that. I would phrase it as a pp said, say that for 2021 you are looking at your work life balance. It's a pity she is so inflexible.

@ArosGartref oh ok sorry I misunderstood, because there is only six of us we all work in one room, we just have our desks, but yes we all use the same printer, photocopier, scanner, filing cabinets etc.

A lot of the 'above and beyond' stuff you've listed seems like you've volunteered yourself to do that rather than been asked.

Everywhere I've ever worked there's always been one person that martyrs themselves, then gets upset when they finally realise they are no better thought of than everyone else.

Tbh you doing so much overtime compared to everyone else in the company should have raised flags with your boss anyway. Clearly there is an issue in that you can not do your allocated work in the allocated time - but given you have time in your day to taxi the boss' parents around, it doesn't sound like you're too overworked.

I would only work my hours because everything you do outside these hours masks any under staffing. I've always worked more and I've had the leaving work early comment so many times. It's a shame because the more you do the more is expected. You need to balance your health with work

It's the 'you scratch my back I'll scratch yours' scenario isn't it, I'm more inclined to go above & beyond when I've had a manager who let me WFH (pre covid) so I could go to a special assembly. As soon as those little soft benefits get taken away/don't materialise I'm less inclined to do it.

Could you suggest a WFH rota? That way the office is less busy & therefore safer