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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that as staff, I shouldn't have to wait in the queue for hours

28 replies

Didntcomeheretofuckspiders · 27/09/2017 06:40

Part of my job is based at a GP surgery. Sometimes I have to leave forms and things at reception for patients to pick up. This literally is a case of handing a piece of paper to a receptionist and saying something like 'Mrs M will collect this tomorrow, thanks'.

Now usually I am happy to wait for people to finish their queries but sometimes I am in a bit of a hurry so just wait to one side and pass over whatever it is. Yesterday I arrived at reception in my uniform, carrying a massive bag (I was on my way out to do visits) and a volunteer 'helpfully' tells me that there are 6 people waiting and that she will let me know when it's my turn! So I then had to hang around, getting in the way with all my equipment, waiting for people to spend bloody ages making enquiries about prescriptions and appointments, just to basically post a piece of paper!

AIBU to think that I didn't need to be told to wait at the back like a child? I wasn't going to just barge in when they are in the middle of something fgs but I'm also working and don't have 20 minutes spare to queue!

OP posts:
ToffeeSauce · 27/09/2017 06:47

It's cheering to hear that GP receptionists are equally rude to all people, that's a skill.

But no, you shouldn't have had to wait.

JustPutSomeGlitterOnIt · 27/09/2017 06:47

It sounds to me like the volunteer didn't know you worked there?

It's obviously ridiculous. I'd have quickly corrected him/her, gone around the queue and handed over the notes, and left.

Does (s)he know you're staff?

BreadAndChipsPlease · 27/09/2017 06:47

That's ridiculous. "Sorry, I'm not a patient, I work here" and then march to the front!

AlternativeTentacle · 27/09/2017 06:49

Get some post it notes, write on the post it who is picking it up when, drop at desk and go?

Madbum · 27/09/2017 06:49

That’s ridiculous, tell her what BreadAndChipsPlease said next time.

Ifailed · 27/09/2017 06:54

next time, put on a white coat and hang a stethoscope around your neck. It always works, even in a supermarket queue.

WeAreEternal · 27/09/2017 07:05

I’m assuming you are a community nurse, or something similar.
Definitely next time just say “oh no, I’m not a patient, I’m X, I’m dropping of this form for Y about Z, ok Thanks” and leave.
If she tries to cut you off just talk over her to continue the sentence.

I hate having to deal with GPs receptionists, most of them are utterly horrendous.

G1raffe · 27/09/2017 07:09

Isn't there a staff door /entrance you can go through? Where I work staff needn't have d as you'd just walk into the office and put something on a desk/in tray. Would that be an option if it saves looking like queue jumping?

Ploppie4 · 27/09/2017 07:12

You shouldn't have to wait.

Wolfiefan · 27/09/2017 07:14

Get a mail box put in. Drop stuff in the box. If you need to pass a message then stick a post it on there.

Loopytiles · 27/09/2017 07:14

You were U for passively complying with the person's request.

The office should have an in-tray.

MrsOverTheRoad · 27/09/2017 07:31

I would have thanked her and ignored her. Volunteers are fabulous but not if they make things harder for staff.

mumtri · 27/09/2017 07:36

Hand her the envelope whilst enquiringly about her rash, it should cause enough confusion that she ignores you jumping the queue

why12345 · 27/09/2017 07:53

Wow so they are rude to everyone then!

AnnieAnoniMouse · 27/09/2017 07:54

Good grief. Woman up. Shoot her a withering look & carry on. Why on earth would you just do what she said?

cdtaylornats · 27/09/2017 08:01

You were being unreasonable - everyone is in a hurry, everyone's time is valuable.

Sequence · 27/09/2017 11:19

How was she to know you worked there? You could certainly have explained and gone to the front. In a friendly way of course, not bellowing "Do you know who I AM?" Grin (which I know you wouldn't have but some would!)

ShotsFired · 27/09/2017 11:24

@Sequence How was she to know you worked there? You could certainly have explained and gone to the front. In a friendly way of course, not bellowing "Do you know who I AM?" grin (which I know you wouldn't have but some would!)

I don't know why but that has really made me giggle! Thanks!

HostaFireAndIce · 27/09/2017 11:55

YANBU for thinking you should have been able to just hand it over to the receptionist without getting mixed up with the punters. YABU for twice stating how busy you are and how important your time is, as if everybody else was just there for a laugh. The other people waiting 20 minutes in a queue were quite possibly on their way somewhere else too.

MissionItsPossible · 27/09/2017 11:57

I was coming on here to say YABU but after reading your post, you weren't.

The reason I was going to say YABU is that an off-duty member of staff tried to push in front of me in the queue at my local Tesco express! I had been waiting patiently like everybody else and she just swanned in front of me with a basket. I asked her what she thought she was doing and indicated the queue behind me and she said "Oh, I work here". I said "Yes I know you do, so you should know how a queue works". She gave me a dirty look and is now rather rude to me whenever I'm served by her lol.

Coffeeandcherrypie · 27/09/2017 11:57

Why didn't you tell her you're not a patient? Confused

Original poster
Didntcomeheretofuckspiders · 27/09/2017 16:26

You are all right of course, I should have said something but I think I was a bit taken aback! Especially as I was wearing uniform, with a badge stating my role!

OP posts:
ParadiseCity · 27/09/2017 16:33

Are you a doctor/nurse or are you a sales rep for a drug company? I think sales rep should have to queue but not doctor/nurse etc.

notreallythere · 27/09/2017 16:46

Is it just me who thinks you shouldn't get to the front because you're staff? I'm a secretary who delivers stuff round the hospital to patient-facing areas all the time and I've never thought to ask to go first. I would find a staff member going in front of me in the queue rude if I were a patient waiting.

Danceswithwarthogs · 27/09/2017 16:49

If it made you late for patient visits then that impacts everyone (patents and other staff)