To feel utterly depressed and fed up and consider calling in sick to give myself a Christmas break?

[BoBo16]

Started a new job early this year.

The shift pattern was hard in the first place (often 1 day off in 10 etc) but the Christmas rota has been horrendous.

I had to work the whole week before Christmas with just Christmas Eve off - I then worked Christmas Day, Boxing Day and I'm working today so that's every single bank holiday. I'm off tomorrow but then I'm working Thursday, Friday and Saturday with just New Year's Day off. I'm then back for the bank holiday Monday (surprise sunrise) and off Tuesday. I'm then back the rest of the week until the weekend of 7/8th Jan.

I have had no Christmas holiday at all. I've not even had two days off together. I've not seen my husband really or my kids. I'm exhausted. I'm fed up. I feel physically sick at the thought of going in for three more days on the trot. I feel victimised with the rota (nobody else's is as bad as mine, a few people have admitted this) and I feel utterly fucked off.

I'm so tired. WIBU to ring in sick on Thursday and Friday to give myself some time off and a rest? I'm handing in my notice this week also.

[miserywithmincepies]

I know what you mean!

[Jinxxx]

It is tough but not unusual for relative newcomers to be at the bottom of the heap when it comes to things like booking leave. If you have been there less than a year and may need a reference, tread cautiously. You may also be spoiling someone else's plans by throwing a sickie. If you know this will result in someone else being dragged in, you need to consider this too, and how your relationship with colleagues might suffer. I'd be inclined to make the most of scarce family time this year, then look for something better before handing in my resignation.

[QueenMortificado]

I think it's pretty off to call in sick when you're not, someone else is going to have to cover your work

You're going to get loads of time off when you quit the job anyway so why not just work through and then have a good week off between this job and your next one?

[rainbowstardrops]

It all depends on what your job is and how it will affect others really. If it means that someone else will have to work an extra shift then that's not really fair because they might be exhausted and stressed too.
On the other hand, you can't be expected to fulfil your role if you're mentally exhausted or unwell.
Definitely time to move on though.

[holidaysaregreat]

It depends if you are a carer or something where people are relying on you for something basic like a meal or help getting up. Would it be a nightmare if your job didn't get done?

[PossumInAPearTree]

If you're in healthcare the majority of people feel like this. Run of ten days, yep been there. 13 hours with no break, yep been there. Exhausted to the point I feel delirious, yep been there. I do sympathise but I feel it's healthcare it's not very fair on your colleagues or patients to ring in sick.

[errorofjudgement]

I can appreciate how tempting it must be to call in sick, but, if you're signing up with an agency, presumably in the same line if work, then I guess it's possible you will end up back at your current employer at some point - though on your terms!
As others have said, long term it's better to just get through this week, hand in your notice (do it this week if you can) and leave on good terms.
Then give yourself a break before starting agency work.

[phoebemac]

Unless you are working in A&E or something like that, call in sick. You are sick - you're exhausted because of the rota. No-one should have to work these sort of shift patterns. OP, life is too short to be miserable in your job and your employers don't deserve your loyalty if they can't even make sure their staff get proper rest periods between blocks of shifts..

[BoBo16]

I'm going to write out my notice today and email it to manager. I've done this once already last week and she convinced me to stay. I agreed initially (as she offered part time) so I'm assuming the dates on my original notice won't stand? Therefore if I date it from this coming Friday, I'll leave towards end of Jan. (Four weeks notice). This is ideal in a way as it takes me upto next pay day then I can start my agency shifts week after.

[ChuckSnowballs]

Did you officially withdraw the notice from last week?

If you have a month's notice, are you quite sure? Were you confirmed in post in writing? Usually people forget to do that and thus your notice still stands at a week which is what companies often have in the probationary period.

[BoBo16]

Thanks for that chucksnowballs, I'll call HR and find out!

[MudCity]

Lesmacarons: I wouldn't work Christmas Day if I had kids and I wouldn't expect somebody to ask me to

What can I say? Must be wonderful having the universe revolve all around you!

[HappenstanceMarmite]

MudCity you beat me to it! 😂

[LottieL]

I'm guessing the avoidance of confirming the job is confirmation in itself that people do rely on the OP - healthcare or caring.

[BlossomHillOne]

Lesmacarons: I wouldn't work Christmas Day if I had kids and I wouldn't expect somebody to ask me to

Lets hope you never need a doctor, nurse or other HCP. Emergency Service Worker, Plummer, Electrician or any other profession that has to put their family second year after year over Christmas, New Year, Easter and Bank Holidays.

Some people don't have the luxury of just quitting a job because they can't get their own way.

[Lesmacarons]

Ideally - parents should try and get a job that works around their kids. If they can't - then that should be the exception. You chose to have children. I have met too many people who say it is necessary and they have chosen some ludicrous job like being a female soldier or something entirely selfish.

In this case - this woman is considering her options and good luck to her. It has made her utterly miserable poor thing and I don't suppose she wants to repeat it because she cares about her kids.

[Lesmacarons]

Yes - they are exceptions - though.. and no I still wouldn't do it if I had a child. Get yourself another job. You decided to become a parent.

[Lesmacarons]

Reading some of these threads were the posters were clearly managers or bosses in their jobs makes me me shudder. Turning people away from hotels in the middle of winter and making your staff and their toddlers cry on Christmas Day. Shame on you. Get a heart.

[Lesmacarons]

Sorry four post ment 'Where the parent' - I think this site must have auto-correct that isn't correct.

[EveOnline2016]

I have worked Christmas Eve Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Also in work today I have a quiet 5 minutes as I work on a pead's a&e. So mumsnetting

It's part of the parcel of working in a front line service.

What did you expect to happen being a HCP.

I wouldn't phone in sick my co workers and patients need me. My DH and dc understand.

[brummiesue]

Lesmacarons - so no mothers should become nurses, doctors, policemen etc?? Do you realise how utterly ridiculous you sound?

[Stillwishihadabs]

Lesmacarons are you kidding ? The majority of doctors, nurses, paramedics etc are parents - just what exactly are you suggesting ?

[ilovesooty]

Agreed. Utterly ludicrous.

[Lesmacarons]

No - I wrote - they are exceptions. Doesn't mean I haven't spent the last 25 years watching people routinely neglecting their children because of their job and if you are a doctor or a nurse - you should still still be committed to at least, trying to put your family first. End of.

I have seen loads of people claim that they 'have to work' only to find out later that they didn't challenge it or fancied doing it. Just get your priorities straight or it is child neglect - I don't care who you are.

[Lesmacarons]

I suggest that you read my posts more carefully.