Difficult work situations - AIBU to leave because of this?

[reallyhatingwork]

I am working as a home care assistant.

I don't really mind the actual work. The problems are really that I have to double up on shifts with other care assistants; at the risk of sounding really precious I find this so difficult!

They will nearly always want to start the shift early which means it's impossible to plan time - so if for instance it says on paper your first call is at 330 they will want to start at least 20 minutes before this.

If I drive some of them smoke and even though I ask nicely if they would mind not smoking in the car the car still smells of smoke if they stand outside it and then get in the smell is overpowering. Then, if they drive they just smoke anyway as obviously it's their car. They also listen to loud music - really loud. It gives me such a headache.

I'm also genuinely frightened when some of them drive. They drive like absolute maniacs, hurling over speed bumps, screeching round corners, grinding to a halt at junctions. I was sick yesterday (car sick) as one of the women just drove like a maniac and I was really scared.

Two of the women swear ALL the time! I don't mean the odd word in frustration or annoyance but just as a sort of adjective? I don't like it, and it makes me feel intimidated.

Maybe I should raise this but I know what people say in theory and what happens in practice are really different.

What would you do? Like I say reporting isn't really an option - it wouldn't change anything.

Can you change to a care home or hospital
I know care workers are always in demand so I'm sure you can quickly find another placement
It sounds awful :(

Not sure on the legalities of smoking in a work vehicle or vehicle being used for work, I was under the impression it was illegal?

I would agree - care workers are in great demand- try and change.

It's a difficult one because it sounds like you have so many issues with them all?!

Be a shame to hand your notice in if you're enjoying the actual work, maybe try and get to know them and then maybe you will be a bit more tolerant?

I'm sure they're finding you a bit needy and difficult so would be good for them too!

Good luck

Are there things you like about your work? If not, then it does sound as if (based on this) you could try to move on to something else. SO YANBU

I don't think it's particularly needy and intolerant to want a smoke free journey in a car and a safe driver?

I'm assuming the OP spends a considerable amount of time in the day traveling with her co workers.

They all drive like maniacs?

Thanks for beating me to it wally :)

I'm trained in a very different field but am doing this part time (weekends really) to save money - having first baby soon and had a redundancy which made us v anxious about money.

But it isn't worth the stress! I just wondered if others thought they were stupid reasons or not?

Yes scarlet unless I drive.

The thing is we have so little time to do a lot - that's where the driving thing comes from. One lady said I was too slow and once I had been in the job a while I wouldn't be so safe. I said I'd rather be late for one world than early for the next!

Ah, you're pregnant. You poor thing.

Can you just drive yourself and refuse to carry any smokers?

If you're pregnant you have the perfect excuse to complain about the smoking, I wouldn't go in one of the other cars, pathetic of them to complain about you driving too slow, I'm with you.

I could just drive myself but then I still have to stop for the smokers and although they don't smoke actually in the car, it still smells so strongly when they get in.

Plus many or then want to drive and I am not a confident person and can't say no you are a psychotic driver lol!

Can you talk to your co-ordinator a d ask to be part of a different team? Also not all care calls are doubles so say you would rather be on singles.

Re the smoking - do speak up and say you are really worried about secondhand smoke for the baby.

Dangerous driving and call cutting - neither are acceptable, let your boss know. They can and should do spot-checks to validate your claim and should take action. If you do the calls properly and log the full and actual time you have evidence of how long the round takes including driving time. Ask for the rota to be amended to show that. No care company wants call cutting: it doesnt help the clients, it's counterproductive, fraud, bad practice, gives the company a bad reputation, etc. They should take action.

There are thousands of home care companies all seeking decent reliable caring people like you, if this one isn't for you, find another.

Which area roughly are you in OP?

I know exactly what you're saying bear - theoretically that's what I should do! But I think if I did the motions would be followed it you see what I mean but I'm not sure anything would actually change in practice.

I can't do single calls yet - not been working for then long enough. I know when I can it'll get easier but not sure I can stand it that long! I dread every day I work there so much.

How long have you been working there?

Whereabouts are you? I'm sure I could tell you of a reputable company in your area.

You poor thing Op. I hope you can get a break from it soon.

Just to say I love your phrase about being late for this world... So true!

Thanks; my mum used to say it! :)

The problem is I'm pregnant and due to have baby in November, I don't want to start work somewhere and stop in a few weeks.

Doesn't matter the reason, or how "rational" it is. If you're miserable at your job, work on getting a new job.

It's having time to find a new one Friendly

Honestly before I started this job I didn't realise how difficult changing jobs can be

There is little you can do about other peoples bad language, unless they are using it in front of your clients.

Drive yourself to and from your clients and if you turn up at the time that's on your sheet, then they will have to live with. They can hardly start without you and bugger off before your there can they?

I find it hard to belive that only one in the team is not a bad driver.

DH is a nervous passenger and belives every drives like a lunatic.

YANBU! I would however try and keep going until you can take maternity if you would like to return there - as there could be a whole change of management/staff by then. How soon is baby due?

If it is too long to stick, yanbu to leave at all, it sounds awful.

ICan as I said we've got lots to do and not much time. People are spread out and we aren't paid for travelling time. So if you have someone 10 minutes away from someone else you aren't paid and if you've got 10 people on a shift that adds up

But, it's frightening for me