To expect work to cover my child care costs?

[CatThiefKeith]

Background is I work as a receptionist at weekends, but the weekday receptionist is having some health problems following a routine operation and I got a phone call this morning asking If I can cover her job for the next fortnight.

Dh works full time, plus 3/4 evenings in a different job, so the only way I could do so would be to employ a childminder or increase her days at preschool and use a childminder for the rest of the day ( it is only open mornings)

It is a minimum wage job, so I would effectively be working 14 days without a day off for less than £3 p/h.

Would I be massively unreasonable to say I will do it if they cover the childcare costs?

For future reference, keep your eyes open on the NHS website if you need a weekend job - not very often, but they do sometimes have weekend admin jobs. I'm a ward clerk and work irregular hours which wouldn't suit you, but even in one hospital each ward seems to have its own way of staffing the admin side - I used to work 5 hours a day, 5 days a week, I now work 3 x 7 hour shifts over a 7-day week (extra pay for Sundays and after 8pm). Sometimes they employ weekend receptionists for A&E or the main desk.

Good on you and glad to be of service!

I sniggered out loud at the pot plant reply :o

Seriously?

I'm gobsmacked! I didn't think it could get much worse than the mother/mother-in-law comments. I was wrong!!

Can't his teenage daughter cover your sick colleague instead?!

Am hoping this doesn't get too out of control. Man clearly has no boundaries.

Good Luck!

We had a similar thing at my old work. Boss offered other staff to look after children if they couldn't go to school because of being ill when we had a big meeting on. Didn't happen.

I'm dying to know what the tosser's response will be. Is this an estate agents OP? I worked in one when I was younger and my boss was very similar to yours, I.e a fucking wanker.

Dear Keith,

I am getting the distinct impression that you are unwilling to help us out at what is a very difficult time for both xxxx and indeed the company.

I have offered you a variety of solutions, none of which appear to be suitable.

Please supply me with an estimate of your childcare costs as a matter of urgency so that I can make an informed decision as to whether to call you in to cover as of Tuesday.

Wanker Boss

Rhine not an Estate Agent. Very specialist little company. Don't want to say too much as fear boss' wife might be a MNer

There are no words. What a wanker.

Let's just review the 'variety of solutions' he has offered you, shall we?

• asking the sexist and totally inappropriate question of whether your mum or MIL can help
• putting his teenage daughter who is not a qualified childminder forward as a babysitter.

Yes, he has definitely pulled out all the stops.

And you have already provided him with an estimate of your childcare costs!

You might actually remind him that it's illegal to pay someone who is not a registered childminder to look after your child. He may be too clueless to know that. (Not that his teenage weed-smoking daughter would appeal as an option anyway...)

I am so glad I have you lot as a sounding board.

I would probably caved under the pressure by now without MN.

Fwiw, boss is very wealthy, bit of a playboy lifestyle and his two children went to boarding school and had nanny's etcetera so has never really had to juggle work and childcare,

Not that this makes his behaviour acceptable obviously

Wow!
What 'variety' has he offered?
You've already given him childcare costs as well.
He's coming across as very dim!

Wanker boss,

You appear to have misunderstood the discussion that has occurred between us. I have explained what is required for me to be able to help you out by giving up my time to cover my colleagues shifts. I have been very clear in what is necessary for me to be able to give up my time to help out. Our discussion has not in any way indicated a lack of willingness on my part to help out, but it has highlighted your lack of understanding in what is required to arrange suitable, regulated, childcare in the absence of family availability (given the very short notice involved).

As I previously advised, the cost of arranging suitably qualified, professional, childcare at such short notice is £x. I can accept cash or cheque

Reply...

Dear wanker boss,

I work the hours I do because on minimum wage requiring childcare is not economically viable.

I have explained I am happy to cover most of the shifts but not for no financial recompense. I am also not happy to leave my daughter with an unqualified stranger in order to help. As a father and business man I'm perplexed as to why you don't get this and I strongly object to your conclusion that I am being unhelpful or that you have offered any realistic solutions.

As I have already explained childcare will be approximately £40 a day. I will provide receipts for the actual cost. In order to arrange childcare I will need some notice so please let me know one way or another by the end of today.

Keith

As a father yourself is expect you to understand this, and also to understand that it is not reasonable to expect me

Don't know why that extra bit appeared on the bottom of my post...

I am stunned.
is there anything in your contract about covering?
guesding if youd booked to go away on these days thst you dont work hed expevt you to cancrl holidays?

Cross posted. I think tensionwheels has it better

Stealth. Contract is the most basic of documents, and says nothing about covering (although I have always done so).

I will send Tensions reply I think, although if he suddenly comes over all reasonable and pays I can't imagine it will be a very comfortable atmosphere for the next fortnight!

:o send sarinka's email, I dare you.

Plus as well Keith, you will be working 16 days straight and not seeing your DD! I can't imagine he will accept the 3 day deal - I would maybe reiterate that in your posts.

Perhaps add a line of: I understand this is a difficult time for the company, hence my willingness to help out for 3 days per week, in line with my other commitments.

Or something less clumsy!

I love this thread.