To think this is discrimination

[Hiptrip]

I work in a 365 days a year industry. My colleagues and I, have to provide cover over Christmas.

As I worked over Christmas and New Year last year, I booked and was promised this year off. I have this in writing.

Two colleagues have announced that they can't get childcare, and now management have come back to me and said I have to work. (Single, no kids was planning to have fun with friends and family. Shouldn't have mentioned it in my break at work.)

I have now received a written directive that my leave is cancelled, with the threat of disciplinary if I don't turn up.

No unions here, but what are my chances of claiming constructive dismissal if I don't go to work?

We are a team of twelve and those with families, who are rostered to work have a month to sort themselves out, as does everyone else. Why should it be me that has to come in the whole time, along with our unfortunate manager who has no choice because she is in charge?

Cannot believe (or maybe I can...) that supervisor cried

If a manager shits on people, they wont want to do extra to help the manager out. Just desserts. Lesson learnt to do things professionally.

She prematurely booked the holiday on the back of bullying you. So I’m glad shes feeling the fallout of her crap behaviour

Yup, serves her right. If she had begun by asking nicely if anyone was prepared to swap, she might have found that someone was willing. But trying to cancel someone else's leave, despite that other person having booked it in good time and it being that person's turn to have Christmas off, is completely unacceptable.

Sweet karma.

That’s what happens when you act like a bitch at work.

Quite.

She started crying and asked if one of us would help her so she wouldn’t have to cancel her holiday ... No one offered

That’s what happens when you act like a bitch at work

Indeed

FWIW I'm sorry that she may lose her own holiday, but perhaps next time she'll remember to handle things differently, rather than swearing at and abusing another member of staff then boo hooing because she's not got her own way

And I'm still very pleased that, if she does do a "disappearing act" around Christmas, there are others besides you who can be called on

She started crying ??? Unbelievable.

Having already received a warning I doubt that management will be too impressed to hear she's resorted to emotional blackmail.

Agree other people’s kids are t your prob if you don’t have them any more than their pets are

boneybackjefferson - “not shit on by parents that refuse to work their contracted shift.”

They are not shit on by parents, they are shit on by their employer.

Originalfoogirl

Its the entitlement of these parents that starts all of this. It may be badly handled but lets not forget where it begins.

How unprofessional! I cannot imagine any of the supervisors/higher up staff in my work acting like this at all.

I've just lurked and followed on here but well done OP for keeping things dignified and professional and standing your ground
Can't believe the "I'd phone in sick" suggestions on here. I'd feel so guilty doing that I'd have a rubbish time anyway, and potentially OP could be seen out and therefore guilty of misconduct?
And can't believe the entitled views of kids-trump-adults. I'm lucky that I usually only have to work 1 Christmas in 3, when I did a couple of years back (DDs aged 11 and 7) we gave them one present from us on Christmas Eve (a game that we then all played together). As they are early risers they were up at 7 so I saw them open stocking presents from Santa. We agreed that they could open presents received already from family during the day, then when I came back in the evening we did the ones from us. If they'd been younger and asleep they'd have done that on Boxing Day.

Op have just caught up. So pleased for you. As others have said, please keep a record of any bullying, harassment, or negative differential treatment. I would start with the weeping and emotional blackmail. Good luck, and in case I forget, I hope you have a fabulous Christmas

@ OriginalFooGirl

• boneybackjefferson - “not shit on by parents that refuse to work their contracted shift.”

They are not shit on by parents, they are shit on by their employer.*

If your employer is the Met Police, the Fire Service or the NHS (just to give examples,) they have to cover shifts, 24/7 all year round. There are a few wankers who can’t sort their private commitments out, who make it hard for the team - and in my workplace at least, it tends to be parents playing the lack of childcare card.

It’s a shame because there are others who wouldn’t dream of doing that to a colleague. And people who know if they accept the extra pay that goes with a supervisory role, know that the buck stops with them if there is a staffing problem, and step up.

Just been catching up on this thread, how are things going at work op?

Fine thanks. No problems at all. I think that two of my colleagues might well go sick over Christmas, but covering their shifts is not my worry.

Two!!! Oh my word.

Wishing you a great Christmas and hope the shit stays away from the fan with all the other people and their shifts x

Can I tag on stupid question: if you are single parent working shifts over Christmas, weekends, new Years, what do you do for childcare? Assuming no friends/co-parent/relatives to help.

Are there childminders that will work those days?

if you are single parent working shifts over Christmas, weekends, new Years, what do you do for childcare? Assuming no friends/co-parent/relatives to help.

Get a different job. Seriously, I’m a single parent and it’s exactly why I could never commit to a job that requires 24/7 staffing. It’s madness to try it if you have no weekend/holiday childcare. Let them employ someone who can do the job.

Good luck tomorrow op.
Happy Christmas

Just wondering if either of the colleagues did go sick over Christmas