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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think work are taking the piss now

237 replies

DelphineCormier · 03/02/2017 21:32

Posted another thread a few weeks ago and don't really want to go into all that again, but brief summary, my boss tried to cancel my booked holiday two days in advance because colleague 1 had been forced to take early maternity leave unexpectedly. Couldn't persuade anyone else to cover the shift so told me I would have to cancel my holiday booked for that day as my cover was needed to cover colleague 1. I had worked xmas day on the basis I would get this day off, eventual outcome was colleague 2 was persuaded to cover my shift. Maternity cover for colleague 1 eventually started a week later, boss had struggled finding cover.

Colleague 3 is also pregnant, and has just put in a request to start early maternity leave. Boss is freaking out slightly over this as colleague 3 had said she would start maternity leave much later iyswim, colleague 1 was early but not this early. Cover has been found, but will not do weekend shifts. I have been 'asked' if I will take on colleague 3's Sunday shift until an alternative solution is found. I am allowed to say no, although colleague 3 and other colleagues are putting a lot of pressure on me to do this.

I already work Saturday mornings and am a single parent. Not left with a lot of time when I would actually see my child if I were also working Sundays! I would get another half day off during the week but no guarantee what hours this will be. Childcare on Sundays would be an absolute nightmare. No one else works both days at the weekend, and lots don't work weekends at all. AIBU to tell them to ask pressurise someone else?

OP posts:
pluck · 07/02/2017 16:09

That's the only sensible way to deal with leave, and it's pretty poor management that there's been so much abuse before this has been introduced!

Original poster
DelphineCormier · 07/02/2017 19:17

Quick update as I'm off out. She's now been reported to HR by another colleague after she apparently sent a load of texts to my colleague ranting that he needed to talk to me because I was being so unfair and could get her on a warning, made a snide remark about my own situation and bashed another colleague. Texts have been screenshoted for HR. She is deranged Confused

OP posts:
Puzzledandpissedoff · 07/02/2017 19:20

She's now been reported to HR by another colleague after she apparently sent a load of texts to my colleague ranting that he needed to talk to me because I was being so unfair and could get her on a warning, made a snide remark about my own situation and bashed another colleague

I assume those texts were sent before today's "new rules" handed down from HR?

God help her if it was afterwards Hmm

Original poster
DelphineCormier · 07/02/2017 19:24

They were after. He hasn't replied, just screenshoted. I think she is going to be really, really embarrassed about this in a few months.

OP posts:
MyPuppyIsADick · 07/02/2017 19:24

WTF? It blows my mind there are people out there so incapable of seeing the consequences of their own behaviour

Flowers for you OP

blueskyinmarch · 07/02/2017 19:28

Blimey. I think her days are numbered.

ImaginaryCat · 07/02/2017 20:28

Perhaps she's aiming for 'suspended pending investigation'. Then cover would have to be found (not by you).

InvisibleKittenAttack · 07/02/2017 21:21

goodness, she's not really got that whole 'acting in a professional manner in the workplace' thing, has she?

I wondered if she'd rather have you than someone temp doing her 'unsociable' shift, so that if she puts in a request for different/reduced shifts after having the baby, it's already someone who's staying that's doing them, not a maternity leave cover who's then going...

DropZoneOne · 07/02/2017 21:54

Presumably HR have told her no she can't leave early and btw stop with hassling delphine or it'll be disciplinary action. In which case going off on one at your colleague is the very definition of stupid.

MidniteScribbler · 07/02/2017 22:05

That poor baby, being stuck with a fruit loop as a mother.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 07/02/2017 22:20

Is she perhaps, in her own twisted mind, hoping to be sacked and then bring some kind of case against the company - a nice payout to make her shut up and go away, which will cushion her maternity period?

I realise she (hopefully!!) wouldn't stand a chance, but with somebody quite that stupid, who knows what she's thinking?

Original poster
DelphineCormier · 07/02/2017 22:35

The texts were sent from her personal phone to my colleague's personal phone, so I wonder if she will claim it isn't a work issue. Even though it is about work. She really should know better than this, she's always been a bit self centred but she has never been this outrageous. She really, really should know better than to think that will work puzzled. But at this point I don't think she's thinking straight, I think she's just in a rage about it.

Does anyone know of any disadvantages of getting signed off by a GP? I honestly can't work out why she's not gone down this route, surely they would be willing to do this for early leave without too much evidence? Unless I am missing something. I wonder about the wanting to lose her Sunday shift thing too Kitten, she knows colleague she texted and I are good friends outside of work, so it would make sense if she was trying one last push to have someone convince me. It didn't work. He's furious.

OP posts:
girlelephant · 07/02/2017 23:07

OP good response from HR and I'm sure a clear message has been sent to management that they cannot force certain individuals into shift swaps unless within contract to change.

Your pregnant colleague clearly cannot accept "no"!

The disadvantage of her being signed off is that dependent on her due date mat leave may be enforced meaning she loses paid/enhanced mat pay before her MATB1 date. As some people take A/L before their MATB1 date she may then lose A/L as company policy may mean it's lost if someone is signed off

Original poster
DelphineCormier · 07/02/2017 23:11

She wants early leave anyway though elephant. Surely it doesn't make a difference whether that's granted by work saying ok you can go earlier than you originally said you would or by a doctor's note?

OP posts:
Littledrummergirl · 07/02/2017 23:27

Although it seems to be resolving itself now you could always write a letter to HR stating you wish to exercise your right to opt out of Sunday working. This will protect you in the future. If you work a Sunday even to help them out this can be seen as you opting back in to Sunday working so think carefully before agreeing.

MidniteScribbler · 07/02/2017 23:27

I imagine that the doctor has probably told her that there's nothing wrong with her and she won't get a note because she's perfectly capable of working.

seven201 · 07/02/2017 23:35

She is losing the plot! If she is actually stressed and the gp agrees she could get a sick note. If the sick note spans over 36 weeks then her maternity leave will commence then. I was signed off at 33 ish weeks (not stress) and was due to go back to work just after 36 weeks, but was told I couldn't as mat leave automatically kicks (unless I had got a 'fit note' before the 36 weeks and gone back to work). That's what my hr told me anyway.

BoomBoomsCousin · 08/02/2017 02:08

Might pay and benefits be a difference making her prefer maternity leave to sick days?

TheMaddHugger · 08/02/2017 02:58

Just a thought, one of my neighbours goes psycho every time she is pregnant. semi normal the rest of the time. [6 kids]

I just hate that Im suggestion it's the hormones. cause I know it's a rubbish response [embarrassed]

Original poster
DelphineCormier · 08/02/2017 09:07

Work phoned me this morning and told me to take today off while they deal with it. Paid leave, won't come out of my holiday. That will probably annoy her even more. They agree language used and things said in the texts were unacceptable and breach everything she was told about the emails with HR yesterday. She will be finding out its been reported once she gets into work. Colleague who was sent the texts is going to let me know the outcome!

OP posts:
Puzzledandpissedoff · 08/02/2017 09:15

With any luck she might not even be there when you get back ... I don't pretend to be any kind of expert, but surely she's well into sackable territory now??

rookiemere · 08/02/2017 09:19

Great result Grin. You get a paid day off and colleague gets rightfully pulled up for her actions. Enjoy.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 08/02/2017 09:24

... the texts were unacceptable and breach everything she was told about the emails with HR yesterday

If they've got any sense they'll ask if she's sent any more texts since HR's directive, wait for her to (hopefully)say she hasn't and then show her the proof

I've dealt with some pretty stupid employees in my time, but she takes the cake

blueskyinmarch · 08/02/2017 09:27

Enjoy your impromptu day off. Hopefully they will get it all resolved soon.

CookieLady · 08/02/2017 09:34

Enjoy your day off.