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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think my boss is taking the piss oit of me?

43 replies

KCumberSandwich · 26/10/2013 10:01

We all have the same basic shifts each week. extra shifts may be added or temporary swaps made at three weeks notice to accomodate holiday cover etc.

a new employee starts in two weeks, my boss has given her every one of my shifts so that she can keep her other job as well and work around her parents for childcare. i have been given shifts that are impossible for me to do, my boss knows my childcare options etc. so knows what i can and cannot do. i am flexible as much as i possibly can be and do agree to frequent shift swaps and cover at my own convenience and most of the time at only a couple of days (if that) notice, so it has nothing to do with me being awkward.

AIBU to think she is being unfair on me and to expect that if a new employee comes to work they shouldnt be given everything that suits them, to the detrement of another staff member (me)? and that if they cant work the shifts that were required then she should have chosen someone else for the job?

OP posts:
peppapigmustdie · 26/10/2013 10:07

It does sound a bit unfair to be honest, how is your relationship with your boss usually?

NotYoMomma · 26/10/2013 10:08

I would be raging!

Howsuper · 26/10/2013 10:11

I'm going to be blunt - my first thought was that your boss is trying to push you out.

It's a classic strategy - make life increasingly difficult for the person you want to leave while remaining within legal parameters.

Like peppa, I'd like to know what your relationship is like usually and how you are perceived to be doing at work?

Whereisegg · 26/10/2013 10:17

My first thought was that your boss is friends with, or related to the new employee.

peppapigmustdie · 26/10/2013 10:17

It does sound as though you are being pushed out, have you had any run ins over shifts with your boss recently? It sounds quite spiteful to give her your shifts which means you can no longer work.

RandomMess · 26/10/2013 10:20

What does your contract say and is the new person going to be cheaper than you?

AndHarry · 26/10/2013 10:23

Yes that is incredibly unfair. Have you asked them about it?

kali110 · 26/10/2013 11:13

Think pushed out too.my boss was like this. Cow

Original poster
KCumberSandwich · 26/10/2013 11:22

thanks everyone for your replies, im glad i dont spund unreasonable and that othera would be a bit miffed too.She knows the new employee but isn't close friends with her, outside work i am friendly enough with my boss, i get on with her because i bite my tongue when i feel she is in the wrong and dont generally like to rock the boat. therea alot of childish drama that id rather not get involved in. im glad im not beong unreasonable, ive been in to speak to her now (on my day off!)but have gotten nowhere Sad she has agreed to change one of the shifts for me but hasnt given any indication of what will happen in the future so i cant make arrangements to accomodate with childcare etc. i dont know where to go from here.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 26/10/2013 11:25

Dig out your contract what does it say about shift allocation?

Also how many months were you given the previous shifts as I believe over a certain length of time it does become part of you contract IYSIM

Original poster
KCumberSandwich · 26/10/2013 11:39

in the process of looking for my contract in the depths of my house.

before she was manager i had worked the same basic shifts for four years, since she became manager roughly two years ago the shifts change constantly, we have our shifts for a few months then she flips everything upside down.

OP posts:
Original poster
KCumberSandwich · 26/10/2013 11:41

i agree that she may be trying to push me out, she does nitpick at me and make things awkward for me. i do feel she does it in a way that will make me look bad so it doesnt fall back on her - ie. she gives me shifts and i come to her and say i cant do them.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 26/10/2013 11:43

Hmmm would be good to get some advice from a HR person but ultimately you need to locate your contract asap.

DizzyBlonde80 · 26/10/2013 11:59

Agree with pp about you being pushed out. Similar thing has just happened to me and I thought I was friends with my boss, more fool me.

ForalltheSaints · 26/10/2013 12:20

You need some advice from HR, as it seems totally wrong. Don't leave it too long as you should get it sorted before the new person starts.

ilovesooty · 26/10/2013 12:28

If you had worked the same basic shifts for four years prior to her arrival that would surely be long enough to be considered custom and practice. Did you sign a new contract when this manager arrived?

paxtecum · 26/10/2013 12:42

ACAS give excellent advice if you need it after reading your contract.
It does sound like she is trying to push you out.

Original poster
KCumberSandwich · 26/10/2013 13:35

Thanks again everyone, i am going to write down the whole situation and find my contract tonight, that way i can see how the situation corressponds with what is in my contract and know where i stand with what i can reasonably expect etc. there's a bit more to it than what i have written here with regards to how i am treated but i didn't want to be long winded. i will get in touch with ACAS also (never heard of them before) as i am not fully clued up on legalities etc.

if she is trying to push me out and i do eventually have to leave i want to feelnlike i have some sort of comeback.

in the four years previous to her having the job there was a low staff turnover and though the rota system worked in the same way there were very rarely any major changes to everyones regular shift pattern- only alterations to allow for staff being off on holiday or swaps to allow someone to make an appointment etc. and there were few problems.

when i spoke to her today she told me that in other branches people were given shifts three weeks in advance for a four week rota and would be laughed at if they said they couldn't do them- i dont see how it is realistic to expect people to do random shift patterns every week and change all plans and commitments at three weeks notice, or is this the norm?

there is one shift in particular that i absolutely cannot do- she took me off this shift a few months ago of her own accord and so i booked my child into swimming lessons on that day, they are in another town (i live and work in a rural village) and are all booked and paid for until after christmas, she has now informed me that she needs this in writing to present to HR when other people have had similar requests and not had to do this.

i really appreciate everyone's advice, at the minute i'm relying on my limited knowledge to construct my argument just now. she is off for a week so im hoping to have

OP posts:
PAsSweetOrangeLurve · 26/10/2013 15:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PenguinBear · 26/10/2013 15:55

Go to HR while she's off and get it sorted out!

Original poster
KCumberSandwich · 26/10/2013 16:26

thankyou Orange and Penguin.

i have spent the afternoon writing down details of any significant issues, including this. i have emailed my union rep to see if i can telephone them or meet with them and then hopefully i can come up with a letter to HR before she is back.

i always want to be blunt with her and blatantly confront her, and i by no means "lie down and take it", i am not afraid of her personally but to be honest i do hold back as i worry that if she is trying to push me out she will just make things so bad that i will be forced to leave (cant afford to and no other jobs at all- i have looked). as much as i feel i have grounds for constructive dismissal and would take that route ifni had to- i'd rather keep my job if i could.

apologies for the appauling typos from me here- smartphone and typing quickly.

OP posts:
PAsSweetOrangeLurve · 26/10/2013 17:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
KCumberSandwich · 26/10/2013 19:12

Thanks Orange. i assume i wont hear from my rep until monday so am going to spend the rest of the weekend doing a bit of reading up and writing down. I am hesitant to go directly to HR with a grievance, after all i am still going to have to work pretty closely with her and so don't want an atmosphere if i can help it.Hopefully if i can talk properly to my union rep they will help me with what to say to HR to get me some sort of result with minimal damage.

i don't know why she is victimising me specifically, i am a hard worker, have been with the company for a number of years, and seem to be well liked with the other staff... she has been there only a couple of years and has struggled to fill the previous managers shoes but i have never caused any trouble.

OP posts:
MrsWedgeAntilles · 26/10/2013 19:59

OP, I think you've just answered your question there. You've been there for ages longer than her, seem to be doing ok, liked by other staff she on the other hand is relatively new and struggling a bit, could she be feeling threatened?

DisgraceToTheYChromosome · 26/10/2013 20:19

Hi OP. As well as reading up on your rights and digging out your contract, submit a Data Protection Act request to Admin asking for: clock times, rotas, absences, payslips and your original contract. And any other data they hold on you.

Two benefits: you have all the info and can't be ambushed. Also it puts the shits up HR as they MUST comply and it signals that you've got balls. They hate that.

I taught a FTSE 100 company that they fucked with my family at their peril, simply by digging up stuff.

Good luck.