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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To fake an injury to get out of work?

39 replies

IUseAnyName · 15/06/2015 15:17

Basically my car has broken down, i'm due in work for 3 days this week with no way of getting there.... I tried to hire a car this morn but no luck. I don't want to sound incompetent to the client I'll be working for (self employed work, where I do the odd days when they need me).

Would ibu to fake an injury?.... I have no more work lined up with them after this week, and they have a pool of other self employed folk they could ask) although it would be a pita for them to sort as it's quite short notice.

OP posts:
undoubtedly · 15/06/2015 15:19

Why can't you just tell the truth?

LurkingHusband · 15/06/2015 15:19

Why couldn't you hire a car ?

What a tangled web we weave, etc ...

TTWK · 15/06/2015 15:21

Oh what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive
But when we've practiced for a while
My, how we perfect our style.
Grin

MaxPepsi · 15/06/2015 15:21

I don't understand why you can't tell them the truth and get a taxi.

mrstweefromtweesville · 15/06/2015 15:24

Not if you're a teacher. They tell you how to do this in your PGCE (or they did, twenty-odd years ago). Under the guise of 'Guess what one trainee did?'

AdventureBe · 15/06/2015 15:24

I think TTWK might have it Grin

I can't think of a single reason why you wouldn't just tell the truth. Or why you wouldn't be able to hire a car TBH.

HirplesWithHaggis · 15/06/2015 15:27

Some, maybe most, car hire companies won't hire to under 21's, or under 25's. I guess some might not hire if you have six points on more?

binspin · 15/06/2015 15:30

Tell the truth and say you'll be in when you've managed to hire a car!

Why lie?

googoodolly · 15/06/2015 15:32

Why can't you get a taxi or use public transport if you can't hire a car?

Original poster
IUseAnyName · 15/06/2015 15:42

I live in middle of knowhere, no means of public transport.

OP posts:
ItsTricky · 15/06/2015 15:45

I live in middle of knowhere, no means of public transport

Just say this, op. It's a legitimate reason for being unable to work. There might be another employee who could give you a lift - you never know.

PenguinBollards · 15/06/2015 15:50

Are the roads to where you live impassable by taxi? Presumably not, if you drive to work.

Original poster
IUseAnyName · 15/06/2015 15:52

I've only ever worked for the company once before, so don't know anyoone who I could lift share with.

I have tried all 3 carhire companies in my area (I walked for an hour this morning to get to the nearest train station, took 2 trains to get to the local town, jumped in a taxi to a carhire company that I'd reserved a car for on net last night, only to tell me that they didn't have one. Went to try 2 other ones, they didn't have one either. I did this with my 1yr old in tow!)

I could taxi it, but that will cost a fortune as the journey is 40mins each way!..... That's 6x 40min taxi trips! Plus would have to do childminder run too.

It just seems a bit of a poor excuse to be unable to not come to work due to car problems. An injury sounds more feasable, and sympathetic.

OP posts:
Original poster
IUseAnyName · 15/06/2015 15:53

I'd be better off financially not working, than getting the taxi!.... It cost me £10 today just for a 10min journey!

OP posts:
PenguinBollards · 15/06/2015 15:55

Tell the truth: no transport, taxi fares are more than you can afford. They might contribute to your travel expenses.

Pippa12 · 15/06/2015 15:57

I really think you'd be better off telling the truth. Maybe say 'I've had a car accident therefore am unable to come in' and hope they don't ask any further questions. But, personally I wouldn't fake injury, tempt and fate jump to mind!

scarlets · 15/06/2015 15:57

Tell the truth. It's a valid reason, it's not like you're nursing a hangover.

EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 15/06/2015 16:02

Every single reply you've had has said you would be unreasonable, but now you're trying to justify it, so it seems as though you mind is already made up!

(I also think you should tell the truth, BTW).
It may cost you more now, but if the company you are doing the work for should find out, you will probably never get any further commissions from them.

AdventureBe · 15/06/2015 16:09

Sometimes, when you're self employed, it's better to work for nothing than to let a customer down. Even if you don't expect to work for them again soon, it might bring/lose opportunities.

Original poster
IUseAnyName · 15/06/2015 16:23

I guess I am trying to justify it in a way, along with give people answers to their questions.

Yes, I understand about working for very little when self employed in order to build up a relationship. I have done a lot of that.

I guess I keep thinking that I'm not actually too bothered about working for them again, as the manager is a bit difficult.

But I should just tell them the truth. I do keep wondering what if I see him when out and about (although unlikely) but the paranoia has already startedand I haven't even lied yet!

OP posts:
AdventureBe · 15/06/2015 16:25

If you're not bothered about what he thinks, then why bother lying?

CMon · 15/06/2015 16:30

I'd tell the truth. I couldn't lie about it. I'd explain about the hire car and hope they are understanding.

SayThisOnlyOnce · 15/06/2015 16:31

If you were employed it's one thing having car problems- as a small business though it looks really flaky. Can't someone local give you a lift? For generous petrol money?

DinosaursRoar · 15/06/2015 16:32

erm, if you're self-employed, and earning a decent amount, can't you count your taxis as business expenses for tax purposes?

It's also worth calling a few mini cab companies and seeing what they'd charge you for 3 days set journeys, some will offer discounts if you pre-book a number of journeys rather than just ring up.

I would always aim to get to work if you can when SE, while you might not want to work for this manager again, you don't know who in this company knows people in others you might want to work for "oh, you're looking for a X? I can recommend, Y person, they were great at short noticed when we were let down by IUseAnyName"

Katz · 15/06/2015 16:33

Can you phone the garage to get your car fixed, they may offer a courtesy car - win win?