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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

About this new supervisor calling me challenging.

58 replies

paintyapron · 27/11/2017 07:48

Hi

Before I complain this AM I just wanted to look at people's opinions.

I started a Christmas temp job lastnight for a few extra pounds for Christmas, I applied with two friends due to PND and thought it would help lift me a little.

I arrived to find I had been separated from my friends, ok I thought I'd just go out of my comfort zone. They said it was as friends aren't allowed to work together, my 2 friends are based together though! All of my floor was couples and friends chatting. I was on my own for 6 hours and no one in my bay said a word to me.

My manager told my friend ' I was brave to apply if this really was the case regarding my anxieties'

Secondly, it was supposed to be an induction evening but no induction was done, we were told to just start wrapping.

I did, loaded it up in the post trolley.
Manager came and had a go at me because she has OCD and I did it wrong apparently.

Tried again, super neat. Got in trouble again as the parcels weren't level. However I hadn't yet made enough parcels for it to be level.

She came back and said 'by god, aren't you challenging'

I finished my parcels and asked what I should do next, they made me go around collecting bins and tried to make me climb over boxes to take them out as the bin exit was restricted. I said no, I'd rather not.

Aibu to ask to move to another floor where I won't be treated like this. Just had to stop myself crying all night.

She's so nasty. When some people who came from Latvia arrived she shouted across ' the Latvians have arrived' I was horrified!

OP posts:
juxtaPostion · 27/11/2017 08:06

So, you refused to do something, you did another task not up to her standards and then made aspersions as to her mental health (I assume not an area you're qualified in) and are now offended that she called people from Latvia "Latvians"?

You hardly sound like a great employee!

Original poster
paintyapron · 27/11/2017 08:08

Where have I spoken about her mental health?

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 27/11/2017 08:08

Sorry but you DID come across as a bit challenging.

Original poster
paintyapron · 27/11/2017 08:10

Everybody knows in a workshop climbing over things isn't something you are supposed to do.

It says in my contract.

OP posts:
juxtaPostion · 27/11/2017 08:13

I think you're confusing contract with employee handbook (including H&S) information.

OCD is an acronym for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It can be absolutely debilitating.

Original poster
paintyapron · 27/11/2017 08:15

I was just saying her words, she said she has OCD and I didn't do it the way she likes it. But my issue is, how was I supposed to know as I've never been taught

OP posts:
Sayyouwill · 27/11/2017 08:15

You didn't do a good job and you got pulled up on it.
You do sound very challenging!

Original poster
paintyapron · 27/11/2017 08:19

Well I'm sorry I have no idea how it's done, because I've never been shown. I also looked to check what everyone else was doing to their postage stands. Did exactly the same.

OP posts:
PippaSqueaks · 27/11/2017 08:19

I do feel like you're being unfairly attacked on here.

I think there's something wrong with anyone who voices their opinion about a new employee being 'challenging' to their face. She doesn't sound like a very nice person and like she's nitpicking.

I also don't agree about shouting 'Latvians'. Anybody who calls someone 'challenging' to their face will say 'Latvian' in an derogatory way.

I feel sorry for you working for someone like that and I'd ask to be moved.

MrTrebus · 27/11/2017 08:19

I'd just stay off work until you've resolved your MH issues. It doesn't sound like where you need to be right now.

RunningOutOfCharge · 27/11/2017 08:20

Did you really expect them to put you with your friends? It's a job not a social club! It's not their job to manage your anxieties

What was the job? Wrapping?

Original poster
paintyapron · 27/11/2017 08:20

Thank you.

I feel frightened to ask to move and feel that I may just have to quit the job.

OP posts:
RadioGaGoo · 27/11/2017 08:22

I'm so sorry you have been suffering from PND. To be honest, posting in AIBU is probably not going to be great for your mental health right now.

RunningOutOfCharge · 27/11/2017 08:22

What will you do for money if you just quit? Assume you have rent/mortgage to pay etc

5foot5 · 27/11/2017 08:23

I see that in your situation this might seem like a difficult thing to do and you are being brave for giving it a shot. So well done there.

But I don't really think you have cause for complaint. Maybe you first few attempts weren't up to standard but you need to know that so you can improve. And as to not being with your friends, I think that is also understandable as you are there to work not cat,

Don't go in complaining after one day! Stick with it for now and with a bit of luck it will get easier.

AlternativeTentacle · 27/11/2017 08:23

Do you need the money? Sounds like a bag of shite to be honest. I wouldn't go back or I'd go back do it all wrong, smile and tell her to do it her fucking self and walk out.

eitak22 · 27/11/2017 08:23

OP i think everyone is missing the part where you didnt get training on how the things were meant to be wrapped, you were just told to get on with it. You're not a mind reader - they cant get annoyed at you when you havent had training thats just poor management.

Also health and safety is there for a reason so i get why you didnt want to climb over unsteady boxes. I would get called awkward too though clearly!

Its only temporary so definitely ask about moving - no point being unhappy but you need to accept they might not be able to move you.

Original poster
paintyapron · 27/11/2017 08:24

That's all covered by my husband. I wasn't doing it for the money, I was just doing it as something to put my head to use in the evenings and to get out of the house.

I actually really enjoyed it the first hour.

OP posts:
TaylorTinker · 27/11/2017 08:25

Presumably the Latvians had arrived?!

EdmundCleverClogs · 27/11/2017 08:25

The op did say that it was her manager who said she apparently has OCD. Considering the op has PND, I think she has more right to be offended by mental health conditions just being thrown around rather than anyone here who can’t even read the op properly Hmm. Not to talk about the manager flippantly discussing the op’s ‘anxieties’ with others - even if the op’s work isn’t acceptable, that would be worthy of complaint by itself in my opinion.

Before complaining about how she is dismissive of your work, I would ask either her or another manager for the training you were supposed to be given. At least that shows you’re willing to improve.

LazyDailyMailJournos · 27/11/2017 08:25

YABU to expect to remain with your friends - it's a job, so they can put you wherever they want.

However YANBU to be upset that the supervisor is being difficult. If you haven't had an induction and been shown how to do the job properly, then she shouldn't be criticising you for not getting it right. Her OCD is irrelevant and she shouldn't be using that as an excuse for why she's pulling you up. You are also NBU to not want to climb over boxes to get to an exit. It's very poor H&S practice and TBH if they think you should be doing this then I'd worry about what other corners they are cutting. Warehouses can be dangerous places and any decent company should be all over staff safety.

In your shoes I would look for a different role.

TaylorTinker · 27/11/2017 08:26

I agree that the lack of consistency and no training is irritating.

SoupDragon · 27/11/2017 08:27

Do packing places have bins that are small enough for you to lift up over boxes? That seems very inefficient.

JoJoSM2 · 27/11/2017 08:27

Well, making the comment about you being challenging isn't professional of your manager.

However, if you haven't done something properly as you haven't been trained to do it, then just say you haven't been trained yet and can she show you what's expected.

If you're asked to climb over stuff, don't say 'I'd rather not' just say that would be a breech of the rules you've been given.

And yes, work is for working and not for chatting around with your friends so that's a ridiculous complaint.

Original poster
paintyapron · 27/11/2017 08:27

Thank you for the replies.

I think I will call the main boss and tell him that I'm unable to come back in again.

OP posts: