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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that working part time shouldn't mean that you are excluded from things?

102 replies

merryaid · 17/12/2014 10:26

I have been in my job for 3 months. I am part time, working 3 days per week. There is one other part time staff member who works 4 days per week. Everyone else is full time.

A couple of weeks ago, some of my full time colleagues mentioned that a secret santa was being done in the office. I asked who was organising it. The organiser is a full time woman who is very loud, and basically dominates the office, eg we all have to move desks regularly to accommodate her when she wants to change desks and if she says jump then everyone jumps. I asked her if I could take part in the SS and was told that it was for "full time staff members only". I thought it was a bit unfair but figured that they would probably be doing the present opening on a day that I wasn't at work, also I haven't been there for very long so I didnt want to make a fuss.

This morning I have discovered that a christmas night out is being planned for this Saturday night; a meal at a restaurant and then going to local pubs. Again, the dominant staff member is organising this. She was actually talking about it as I got into work this morning. I said that it sounded good and she said again that she was sorry but it was for full time employees only! However I have since discovered since she said it that the other part time lady is going on Saturday. Apparently it's different as she does 4 days rather than 3!

I have just now tried to talk to the woman who is organising the night out and said that it's unfair to exclude me but she was very eye-rolly and made out that I was causing a problem and causing trouble.

Is it normal for part timers to be excluded in this way? Is it just something that I have to suck up as a trade off for being part time? I know I could go to my manager but he and this woman are very close friends and I think he'd probably side with her and I'd just be chalked down as being a troublemaker....

OP posts:
LittleBearPad · 17/12/2014 10:28

I wouldn't say it was normal at all. You should be invited to take part.

PrimalLass · 17/12/2014 10:30

That's disgraceful. I would ask your manager or HR.

trice · 17/12/2014 10:30

It's not normal. She is bullying you. You have to try speaking to your manager. It may not work but the alternative is lying down like a doormat.

She sounds horrible.

Bonsoir · 17/12/2014 10:31

What does HR have to say about this de facto discrimination towards PT employees?

KillashandraRee · 17/12/2014 10:31

No it is absolutely not normal! This woman is purposefully excluding you and I would definitely speak to your line manager (HR if you have them) about it.

Whether they are friends or not he should be able to separate from that and manage the situation without mKing it difficult for you. I would request that he doesn't mention to her you have made a complaint about it and that he just goes above her to invite you.

Sorry you are working in a place like this she sounds like a bully. Hmm

StockingFullOfCoal · 17/12/2014 10:31

Bitch! Go over her head.

Babbit · 17/12/2014 10:32

Bullying. Speak to HR / line manager immediately - this will only get worse.

Original poster
merryaid · 17/12/2014 10:32

There isn't an HR department as it's not a big firm. I'll have a chat to my manager later about it though.

I'm so pissed off.

OP posts:
Babbit · 17/12/2014 10:34

Your employer is vicariously liable for any discrimination by their employees.

That is to say they are liable for any discrimination by their employees during the course of their employment. Good luck.

Original poster
merryaid · 17/12/2014 10:35

I think the woman doesn't like me as everytime I talk to her she replies in a sarcastic tone and then does that horrible closed mouth sarcastic fake smile...

OP posts:
KarenHillavoidJimmyswarehouse · 17/12/2014 10:36

That sounds mean.

The only thing I would say is when I was part time, others were conscious that I didn't earn as much as they did so there were certain things where they'd say "do you want to do this?" - for example the birthday collection rota thing.

If you've made clear though that you're happy to be included and pay the full going rate for activities then they are being mean.

Wonc · 17/12/2014 10:36

This is awful. I feel for you. Do you have friends at work you can discuss this with?

Hoggle246 · 17/12/2014 10:38

Good lord she sounds bloody awful. She is definitely bullying you. What a cow. This pt thing is a definite excuse but she has probably shot herself in the foot as it's not permissible, so yy to speaking to your manager.

Original poster
merryaid · 17/12/2014 10:38

I have a few work friends I could discuss it with, but I think none of them would actually say anything or stand up for me, as they all seem to be in total awe of this woman.

OP posts:
manchestermummy · 17/12/2014 10:38

I expected this to be a thread about not being able to go to a staff meeting or something, but the situation you are in is absolutely disgraceful. That is bullying without a doubt. Just awful.

ASunnyTiger · 17/12/2014 10:38

Awful way to treat you, and absolute BS. I hope your manager will help, it needs nipping in the bud pronto. What do the other members of staff think about her doing this?

Hoggle246 · 17/12/2014 10:39

Why do some people just not grow up? It sounds as though she's a spiteful girl in the playground. Awful.

ShakesBootyFlabWobbles · 17/12/2014 10:42

No it is not normal. I think you should raise it with your manager. He may be her friend but he has to put his role as manager first when it comes to the workplace when a staff situation arises.

If your employer is paying for the night out and is excluding you for being part time, an employer must be able to prove ‘objective justification’ for treating you less favourably than a full time worker. I doubt excluding you from a social occasion of this nature could be supported.

If the social is an informal meeting of work colleagues paying for it themselves, I would have thought that there is less work can do to organise a place for you, however if this excluding behaviour is impacting the workplace, that behaviour would need to be tackled, particularly if it is being down to being 'part-time' as that is you employment status.

Original poster
merryaid · 17/12/2014 10:48

Work are paying for the night out but I think our manager has given this woman the task of organising it

OP posts:
Optimistletoe1 · 17/12/2014 10:52

I agree entirely with Shakes. I'd certainly mention it to my work friends too; they may not have the courage to confront Organising Bitch Woman but at least they should confirm that you're not being unreasonable to be hurt.

And if you do get included in the Secret Santa and should have the great fortune to draw Organising Woman's name, do come back to MN for some appropriate suggestions! Xmas Smile

Babbit · 17/12/2014 10:53

What!?!?!? That's beyond disgraceful. That is de facto discrimination by your employer and bullying from this woman. Speak to them and if not satisfied, ACAS.

RiverTam · 17/12/2014 10:53

speak to your manager. I work 3 days a week and have always been involved in Secret Santa and Christmas dos, in fact they have always worked these things so that they happen when I'm in (I'm the only part-timer).

ShakesBootyFlabWobbles · 17/12/2014 11:06

If work are paying for it, then on the face of it, it looks like you are being less favourably treated. However, the management may not know that this person has taken it upon herself to exclude part timers so you do need to raise it so they have a chance to put it right. On the other hand, the management may be the ones excluding part timers and left it to your colleague to let part timers know; I can't really tell from your posts.

Sometimes employers can treat part timers differently to full timers but they must be able to justify why. The example on the gov.uk website is to do with employee benefits i.e. the cost of certain benefits to full timers exceeds the apportioned benefit value given to part timers. However, you should offer a part timer the chance to pay for the deficit if they want that benefit.

If the employer says that it is to do with apportioned costs or the short time spent in role, then I still think they would still have to offer you the chance to make up the payment so that they haven't been discriminatory (e.g. if the meal costs £100 for full timers then 3 day week staff can have up to £60 benefit as they work 3/5ths of the time of a full timer but the part time person still has an option to pay the £40 and still go). I think this would be really mean of a workplace when it is to do with social occasions though as teambuilding/a thank you to the staff is surely the objective whether part time or full time.

The bottom line is that you need to raise it with a manager to find out the actual position with the employer.

BreakingDad77 · 17/12/2014 11:10

I would say its not normal but does happen, as same is happening to DW at the moment when she went back to same employer part time after being full time.

Fair number of staff have changed, but she know all the managment and some staff whicvh appears now to be to her detriment. There is a now a queen bee (feel free to call me out on using this term) who isn't a manager but seems to control all social things and polarised staff into camps, actively excluding people.

DW has been told 'Oh sorry you weren't' around and we forgot about you' when social things have occurred.

Previously everyone would all go out as a big group and there would be none of this BS and she has been in angry tears wondering, I am a normal person why am I being persecuted.

Fallingovercliffs · 17/12/2014 11:12

Excluding a staff member like that is technically bullying.
Does she have some kind of a gripe about part time staff or something? And why is everyone else in the office going along with this?

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