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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask for your help on how to stand up for myself later?

200 replies

HarrietKettleWasHere · 14/11/2017 12:06

Hi,

Ok so I've deliberately chosen AIBU as I need non-minced words Grin

In August I took on a sort of nanny/family PA/housekeeper type role. The parents seemed laid back, lovely....with reasonable expectations.

I'm clearly a crap judge of character. Although the kid I look after is indeed brilliant, no complaints there.

I had a three month probationary period. Due to end last Friday. They've just informed me they'd like to extend it for another three months (i.e. they could still get rid of me with a week's notice and I have no comeback for unfair dismissal etc)

Because, although I'm apparently a fantastic nanny, (way to treat a fantastic nanny Confused) I haven't met their expectations in the other departments. They are still stressed on the weekend apparently and finding themselves having to do housework....

They also have a cleaner for 12 hours a week, I put laundry on once a day and the cleaner does it too, loads of other stuff gets taken and picked up from the dry cleaner by me.

I seriously am at a loss to know where this extra work and stres is coming from.

They own about five properties across the city and in the time I've been working for them, two sets of tenants have served notice. That meant advertising for more, finding more, organising viewings, vetting, moving the previous tenants out, organising cleaners, handymen.... I worked two Saturdays to get all this done. So while all this has been going on I'm also expected to keep the house ship shape, do the school run in the afternoon, ferry to after school club, oversee homework, make dinner, get ready for bed....then there's all their other PA stuff like booking flights, theatre tickets, paying for parking tickets, inputting all the expenses in spreadsheets, ordering groceries....

The dad especially is a bit military in his approach to cleanliness and often pulls me up on things like side not polished, dishwasher not switched on/loaded correctly...I used cling film in the fridge which is a big no as apparently we'll all get cancer...

I can't do all this and meet every single need perfectly. Added to this in the school holidays I'm 'just' supposed to be a full time nanny and keep a six year old stimulated (no screen time allowed ever) all day.... so you can imagine how much all the other stuff goes to pot during those times.

Meant to have weekly meetings with the mum- she's never found the time.

So after her just telling me I'm supposed to just continue on probation until they can 'define the role' Hmm I have asked for a meeting to discuss, because I do not think I'm being treated very fairly. It's apparently goung to take place at 5pm.

I need to be firm, assertive and not take any shit. Or should I just jack it in (I am very tempted right now to just jack it in but it would seem Ike quitting, I don't have another job lined up obviously but would be fine money wise for a little while as we are staying with a family member and paying nominal rent while we save)

OP posts:
bastardkitty · 15/11/2017 15:29

Go you! Brilliantly handled Flowers

expatinscotland · 15/11/2017 15:31

Fantastic! Get that reference BY Friday or you walk. Don't be afraid to walk if the father does any more of his bullying. And don't feel guilty, not your circus, not your monkeys. Hope you get a better job soon! You deserve so much more. NO MORE combined roles, either. Those never work out. I did a few of those shite 'receptionist/secretary' jobs when I was young. They were ALL bullshit attempts by the company to cheap out of paying for two proper roles when there was work for both and get one person to do two jobs and then moan when neither was 100%.

BenLui · 15/11/2017 15:42

FlowersCake

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 15/11/2017 15:47

Awesome outcome. Well done you obviously found your backbone! Grin

onalongsabbatical · 15/11/2017 15:55

Been lurking.
Harriet you are a Star
They should be bloody gutted to lose you, silly fuckers.

DartmoorDoughnut · 15/11/2017 15:59

Brilliant! You Star

RhythmStix · 15/11/2017 16:27

Good for you OP - well done on stickingto your guns!!

mussinboots · 15/11/2017 16:31

Gooooooo Harriet! 💪🏻

bastardkitty · 15/11/2017 16:31

Literally, if you don't have your reference by Friday, you don't turn up on Monday as they breached the agreement you made.

CandleLit · 15/11/2017 17:18

Might be worth confirming the conversation in an email to her.

FantasticButtocks · 15/11/2017 17:31

Bravo! 👏

NoSquirrels · 15/11/2017 17:33

Brilliantly done. Good work!

Coldhandscoldheart · 15/11/2017 17:58

Also been lurking. You deserve a huge cheer!

Bunglecunt · 15/11/2017 18:42

Brilliant op, well done! I remember your previous thread and I knew that wouldn't be the end of their cheeky fuckery.

celticmissey · 15/11/2017 18:53

You've hit the nail on the head... their expectations are unreasonable - you're expected to do 3 things at once. If I were you I would run a mile and look for another job working for people with realistic expectations. You are not tied to them- you will just become run down if you stay in this job. Move on.... and be better appreciated with a better work life balance. Maybe agree just to another month extension which will give you time to look for something else where you're not being worked to death....

tallwivglasses · 15/11/2017 20:21

Wow well done OP - and you got some top mumsnet advice. SHE'S stressed? It just goes to show, there's a lot to be said for the simple life...

gingergenius · 15/11/2017 20:21

Seriously op I wish could afford you!!!

TroelsLovesSquinkies · 15/11/2017 20:43

Well done.

ADishBestEatenCold · 15/11/2017 22:31

Great news!

Pity the new housekeeper they find (do they realise housekeepers don't generally do child care).

IdentityRequest1 · 16/11/2017 00:02

Ooooh... well done! (get that reference this week... just in case Very Busy Clients happen again.)

DarkPeakScouter · 16/11/2017 00:18

Good work!

AbbieLexie · 16/11/2017 01:46

A Star Flowers

MrFMercury · 16/11/2017 05:03

Well done you! Awesome work :)

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 20/11/2017 02:26

Fantastic news OP!! Well done - I'm so pleased for you!

Hopefully your next role will be a decent one!

hellsbellsmelons · 20/11/2017 09:09

Glad to see your update.
Well done on standing your ground.

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