to be scared I'm going to lose my job?!

[aupair101]

I work as a carer. There are 4 of us that work for the same client.

The client suffers from sever demetia, and someone (either our manager or another carer) told me that the client had a 'problem' with black people.

This is not an active problem, but a problem that has occured in the past. The client basically hit out at people who weren't white, which caused someone (either the manager or another carer) to think this was a problem specifically with black people, rather than the dementia at that specific point.

So, last week, I was having a conversation with another carer (who is black) about whether she had any problems with the client, as I had heard that the client maybe didn't like black people, and whether this was her experience or if she felt comfortable etc.

I told her I'd had a conversation with the manager about it, although thinking back, I don't think this was the case. I think it was another carer.

The carer who I told is very worried that the manager may have put her to work with the client, even though (in her mind) it is clear the client dislikes black people.

She plans on talking to the manager about this, saying I told her that we'd had a conversation about it, and that she now feels uncomfortable that he didn't tell her the client didn't like black people.

The conversation I had with whoever I had the conversation with, wasn't even important enough for me to remember who the conversation was with! It was totally innocent, and now I am worried that this lady will talk to the manager, he will say "I didn't say that" and then it will come back on me that I've lied.

I haven't lied, I just don't even know who I spoke to, but I'm in the wrong because I told her it was with the manager, which it may not have been.

I've texted this lady saying it is really troubling me and I would like to speak to her before she speaks to the manager, but she hasn't replied (yet).. Any suggestions of what I can do?

AIBU to think I could lose my job over this?
Should I call the manager before she does to explain this mistake?

ARGH, I'm really scared :(

But what if she thinks I am just covering for the manager?!

It sounds as if you were 'stirring it', OP. Be honest, were you? Why talk at all with a colleague, about something so inflammatory? Surely, if there were a problem with a client's behaviour, it would be something the manager would raise and deal with? Your colleague won't think that you're covering for the manager, she's probably come to the conclusion that it's best to speak to the manager.

If I were the manager, I would take quite a dim view of the inveigling for position and the tactics used. Don't keep trying to cover your bottom; wait and speak to the manager yourself.

I've learned my bloody lesson. Will be keeping my mouth shut! But now, I'm in the sh*t and don't know how to get out! The lady hasn't replied to my text...

How do you know you're in the shit, OP? If the client has form for mistreating black carers then I suppose you could say that you didn't want to see your colleague put at risk but you obviously should have gone about it differently, ie. via your manager.

I'm thinking though that any incident of violence from this client would have been documented and further contact risk assessed? That being the case, you may have saved your manager from censure because you've told your concerns to an 'at risk' colleague.

I think there's enough mud in the water to cloud what you did, OP... this time.