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?

He does sound like an idiotwho expects too much from a minimum wage employee.
He needs to be realistic.
OP, you didn't help the situation though by saying you could do it before checking the childcare was available.
In future, if you don't want to do it, just say it doesn't fit in with your plans for the week. You do nt have to justify yourself and saying a straightforward 'no' is probably more help the the Boss than lots of long negotiations which result in a 'no' anyway.

Love how he's determined to paint himself as a caring boss who's moved Heaven and Earth to help you out in your childcare problem.

"I have offered you a variety of solutions," my arse!

Any advance on "I see", OP?

No word at all so far.

Really looking forward to going to work in the morning .......

Keith,

I think it will be good to actually get an opportunity to speak face to face tomorrow and clear the air a bit.

Yes I can imagine you are dreading it but you have done your best, offered what you are able to and it's not your fault the child-minder is fully booked. It's also not your fault or responsibility that he is having staffing issues. Children are not parcels to be left with just anyone, you have to be happy with the arrangements or you don't/ can't do the favour. He might have had time to realise all this.... Hope it's ok tomorrow.

Okay, I've read this thread somewhat open mouthed! The mans got no idea

If he gives you any hassle tomorrow, smile sweetly and say
Yes it's a shame xxxx is off in half term and proper childcare has been so difficult to secure. Perhaps it would be prudent to secure alternative cover for the future. Maybe your daughter could help out?

good point Minty. It's his job to ensure cover, not yours

How is it this morning?

Yes, was he there? Did he realise the error of his ways and apologise profusely????

He's taken the weekend off, so no news on that front.

Office manager is pretty miffed though as the temp will cost double my wage, and will probably spend the next two weeks constantly calling the office manager.

(It's not a difficult job, but it is pretty specialist, no two days are ever the same etc)

Twat boss is apparently on holiday this week, which I suppose explains why he so desperately wanted me to come in.

hmm so he's not prepared to cancel his holiday to cover but expects you to come in on days you do not work - not on holiday, you just dn't work!
Grrr and more grr

Maybe he will realise how great you are!

I doubt it though, he will probably lay the blame for the extra cost at your door.

I used to have a boss who viewed my part-time status as a resource for him to utilise, asking me to come in on extra days, work extra hours. He didn't really seem to understand that the reason I worked part-time was because I had chosen to spend time with my children.

But he was a bit of a sexist bully too.

I would start looking around for a new job. How does he intend to cover the holiday period in the summer?

Did you get paid for the extra he wanted you to do Beryl?

No, I wasn't even paid for it, let alone get additional costs reimbursed.

I was allowed days off in lieu, but it would still cost me £70 a day in extra childcare. There was a bit of a row when I put my foot down but I stuck to my guns.

too right. Presumably if you'd wanted to work full time you'd have ...errr worked full time!
I work with a lady who does part time. At her level she is expected to work the hours to get the job done, and I know she does work sometimes on her 'off' days and evenings. However the difference I think is there can't be an expectation for her to do that, plus obviously she can't do too many hours - she gets paid part time!
I don't think there's anything wrong with being asked, after all the OP might have had childcare on tap and be keen for the extra money. But the emphasis has to be on "if it suits you" which it clearly doesn't.

Sorry I'm getting rather angry and it sounds like I'm arguing with you. I am agreeing with you emphatically :o

God how inappropriate for the office manager to try to guilt you by saying a temp will cost twice as much; how is that in any way relevant to you? As for Mr Wanker Boss, you owe him nothing and after his bullshit emails I'd be looking for another job ASAP, he's making the whole thing personal and I bet you will come back from his jokes still sulking......

If they can afford to pay a temp twice as much as you, then they could have offered you twice as much to start with!

LOVE how boss was guilt tripping you into coming in when he was off on hols himself!