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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To quit my job over this?

27 replies

Headdesk · 22/08/2015 14:27

I have a job where I work with 4 other people on rotation (only two people working per shift). 3 of them I absolutely love working with, we get on well, we share the work equally and even on the toughest of shifts its never two bad. Then there is the other guy, he's lazy, sexist, racist and horrible to be around. He's been there around 7/8 months, long enough to know what he's doing yet I still feel like when I work with him I have to babysit him. The majority of the time I end up doing half of his jobs as well as mine. I am constantly telling him how to do things and he ignores me, he does some things that are absolute no nos during the shift due to health and safety, I've said to him if he gets caught doing them then he will get in trouble, he just shrugs and carries on doing it.
Me and the other guys are 100% team players, we help each other out to make the shift easier, he will deliberately go out of his way not to help (even going as far as polishing all the door knobs at our work the other day to get out of helping me with a big job I was struggling to finish on my own).
He tells the most disgusting stories which I don't want to listen to, he's racist and very sexist. I leave most shifts
Sorry long moan there, basically it's hell working with him. Two of my colleagues are leaving very soon, which will just leave me with this guy and one other person, it means I will pretty much be working with him constantly, the thought of this is filling me with dread, I want to quit. Is this a stupid reason to quit my job?
Management know about all of this but there's not much they can really do.

OP posts:
Original poster
Headdesk · 22/08/2015 14:28

*sorry that was meant to say I leave most shifts wanting to cry out of frustration

OP posts:
snowaccidentprone · 22/08/2015 14:31

Is there a HR dept which you could talk to?

Original poster
Headdesk · 22/08/2015 14:32

I don't think so, we're a small shop

OP posts:
snowaccidentprone · 22/08/2015 14:36

Have you told your manager how you feel, and that you are thinking of handing in your notice as your co-worker is so unpleasant to work (or not work) with?

PHANTOMnamechanger · 22/08/2015 14:36

Management know about all of this but there's not much they can really do

there ought to be plenty they can do!
subjecting colleagues to unsolicted racist and sexist converation is a no no.
slacking on duty is a no no.
doing things that are against health and safety is a massive no no.
you must go on reporting this each and every time he does something because by not doing so, you could be seen to be complicit.

he needs sacking, frankly. how would management react if you said 'it's me or him' ?? they might need the ultimatum to be woken up to DO something, they might not realise how much this is affecting you.

If nothing gets done, then yes, if you can, find another job. Stress like that is not good for anyone day in day out.

Original poster
Headdesk · 22/08/2015 14:37

We all have several times, no one likes working with him. I'm not really sure what they can do, as whenever they come into work he behaves perfectly.

OP posts:
Original poster
Headdesk · 22/08/2015 14:38

The only thing stopping me going now is that I really really like my manager and don't want to leave her in the lurch and the fact that I need to find a job that is flexible around uni and pays as much as my job now.

OP posts:
PHANTOMnamechanger · 22/08/2015 14:40

whenever they come into work he behaves perfectly

in that case he definitely knows what he's doing is wrong and is just a nasty lazy so-and-so.

is there any CCTV? could you actually record a conversation (NOTE: I am not a legal expert and don't know if this is reasonable)

Original poster
Headdesk · 22/08/2015 14:42

There's plenty of cc tv. I complained about something he was doing that was against health and safety one morning, but realised he was doing it in a camera blind spot. They've said they'll talk to him and they do but he pretty much ignores it.

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 22/08/2015 14:42

Put in a grievance. There's plenty your manager can do if your colleagues are prepared to back you up and confirm what you say.

ImperialBlether · 22/08/2015 14:42

Could you ask for CCTV recording in the workplace? You really shouldn't have to put up with this. What if all three of you went to the manager and said you will all stay if that guy leaves?

LindyHemming · 22/08/2015 14:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Headdesk · 22/08/2015 14:45

I used to correct his mistakes but now I just let him make them (unless they're big ones then I do because it's not fair for whoever is on shift next to deal with) I love my manager but I think she's too nice and easy on him.

OP posts:
GnocchiGnocchiWhosThere · 22/08/2015 14:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Backforthis · 22/08/2015 14:52

You don't owe anyone. Management could have dealt with him - that's part of their job. Why not start looking.

Sistedtwister · 22/08/2015 14:53

They don't need absolute proof they only need reasonable belief to take action, it's not criminal law it's employment law. Three of you consistently saying the same thing would probably be enough for reasonable belief, you need to formally report his behaviour. They are not protecting you allowing you to be subjected to his harassment, you could potentially claim unfair constructive dismissal which could cost them a lot

Wishful80smontage · 22/08/2015 14:56

If the others feel the same way can't you all approach management. I'm sure (although it shouldn't have had to come to this) that if you explained it was making you want to leave they would take immediate action.

Original poster
Headdesk · 22/08/2015 14:57

I have complained, pretty much every time I work with him, they always say they'll talk to him, and I have witnessed them doing IT but he doesn't change. I don't want to cause trouble for my manager as she has a really tough work load already

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 22/08/2015 15:07

No way would I be quitting without raising a grievance then going for constructive dismissal if management don't listen.
I think you're letting your manager off the hook.. She's being utterly lazy and spineless and not fulfilling her duty of care to her employees.

ChilliAndMint · 22/08/2015 15:18

Have you contacted ACAS?

Your employers should be acting upon the information you and the other colleagues have told them.

Laziness is one think but bullying in the form of sexism, racism and jeopardising your safety are grounds for dismissal.

wafflyversatile · 22/08/2015 15:52

So there are managers above your manager. All three if you could say that manager must take action and refer up the way or you will go over her head. She's a manager and needs to start managing.

LindyHemming · 22/08/2015 15:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Headdesk · 22/08/2015 16:31

The other two are leaving so aren't bothered and he gets on with the other guy :/

OP posts:
amarmai · 22/08/2015 16:44

your manager is not nice. She is not doing her job . You do not have to put up with this skiver and bully. Take action above her level and leave yourself if this man is not let go. I had a lawyer send a letter to the managers of one of my children's work places threatening legal action if they did not deal with a bullying coworker. They did . He was let go.

slithytove · 22/08/2015 16:52

Make a formal complaint

If that fails, put in a grievance.

If you then resign because they haven't changed things, then you can try and make a claim for the dismissal where you had no choice but to leave.