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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Arsehole bosses

75 replies

owltrousers · 28/11/2017 12:00

I am due to start maternity leave on Friday this week, so literally 2 whole days left at work now. 34 weeks pregnant.

I have posted about my bosses here before. I work in a small therapy clinic, 2 bosses and me - their secretary. I am their sole employee.

Today I received a long email from them (they work away on Mon & Tues) detailing how my work is 'slipping' and a list of things I have done wrong lately, including being 5 mins late for work yesterday:

"when I rang the clinic on Monday needing you to know asap I was ill and clients that day had to be cancelled, you said you hadn't answered my call until I rang again at 9:11 because you were getting my room ready. Was that right? Can you clarify. We've told you many times to have the phone with you so that all calls can be answered from 9am. This is basic."

I have been 45 mins early for work every single day for 1.5 years due to my liftshare being early and always start as soon as I get in because it makes my day run smoother. This last week I've had to catch the bus as my liftshare has gone travelling and sometimes it means I get there at 9 on the dot, which is my start time. Yesterday I was taking my coat off and opening the shutters at 9 on the dot when the phone rang, I ran to it but it went to answerphone. I then called the number back at 9.05 and it was my boss.

AIBU to be extremely pissed off. Its my last two days, would you really start airing grievances now? I feel like they're trying to push me out or like they may try and not pay me my maternity pay.

OP posts:
DJBaggySmalls · 28/11/2017 12:03

YANBU, they dont sound like good people to work for. Ironic considering their profession.

molifly · 28/11/2017 12:03

This is horrible and happened to me. If it were me i would suck it up and wait it out 2 days before you go on Maternity leave. They legally must let you go on Maternity leave and pay you for it.

Keep a record of all of this however in case it comes up later. Is anybody covering your maternity leave?

Chin up it's rubbish xxx

highinthesky · 28/11/2017 12:08

Yes they are awful bosses but smile sweetly for the next 2 weeks. Make sure you address the points and present your perspective before you go, though.

Then look for a new job when on mat leave.

AlternativeTentacle · 28/11/2017 12:09

Heh he - they won't know what has hit them when they get your replacement in. Just don't respond.

Original poster
owltrousers · 28/11/2017 12:18

I'm not going back, that was decided a long time ago. Of course they don't know that.

@highinthesky its two days, not weeks!

I honestly feel sorry for my replacement, no one has lasted very long here.

OP posts:
highinthesky · 28/11/2017 12:24

They are just clueless. Which makes me wonder what kind of “therapy” they administer. It sure as hell isn’t humanity.

DancesWithOtters · 28/11/2017 12:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 28/11/2017 12:32

Can you take paid maternity leave when you aren't planning to return?

I say this based on when my sister (a nurse) took ML and then decided not to return. She had to pay the money back

ThomasRichard · 28/11/2017 12:35

ILostIt statutory maternity pay doesn’t have to be repaid, but if an employer offers enhanced maternity pay then it might come with conditions like that.

Original poster
owltrousers · 28/11/2017 12:36

@ILostItInTheEarlyNineties Its just stat maternity leave, not enhanced. I believe you have to pay enhanced back if you choose not to return.

OP posts:
topcat2014 · 28/11/2017 12:37

Statutory maternity pay is not paid back, occupational MP is. I am guessing the OP will just be getting SMP

FooFighter99 · 28/11/2017 12:41

If you don't go back, be prepared to pay back your Mat Pay in full.

I think you have to go back for at least 3 months so as not to end up paying it back. you'd better look into it before you hand your notice in.

Good luck with your pregnancy and I hope you get a new job with much nicer bosses!! Smile

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 28/11/2017 12:41

Ah thanks, my mistake!

I don't blame you for not returning to your post to be fair! It sounds thankless. They're unfairly assuming you've taken your foot off the pedal these last few days.

Don't hold your breath for a surprise leaving do with gifts is my advice.

QueenNovo · 28/11/2017 12:41

OK I'm guessing there is a back story here but I don't think the email was that bad from what you've posted, if you are supposed to answer calls from opening time at 9am and it took me until 11 minutes after that to get you to answer then I'd raise it as an issue with an employee too. But like you say you're not planning on going back so just grin and bear it for two days.

Pseudousername · 28/11/2017 12:41

They'd be absolutely moronic to fire you two days before, or during, your mat leave - unfair dismissal written all over that one.

Ghostontoast · 28/11/2017 12:45

Has the smell of dead rat died down yet?

If not, just imagine how it will be next summer in the heat....

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 28/11/2017 12:47

Just be glad you only have 2 days left! They sound awful.

Original poster
owltrousers · 28/11/2017 12:49

@Ghostontoast haha its pretty much gone now thankfully, but then there were the swarms of blue bottles, which was worse!

OP posts:
TheLegendOfBeans · 28/11/2017 12:49

A bit of power and some folk just can’t help themselves.

I had a nitpicking shitbag of a boss. Should’ve left when I cottoned onto his crap 5 weeks in. I hung on for maternity and stayed for 3 years.

You’ve said you’re leaving already...smart move. Nobody needs to be belittled in a job: ever.

Pseudousername · 28/11/2017 12:51

Bloody well make sure they pay you any owed annual leave as well OP! They wouldn't let you use it for a funeral would they?
Dicks.

Neverender · 28/11/2017 12:51

Just to reassure you, I took enhanced maternity pay for a year and I don't have to pay it back. It depends on what your individual contract says.

ptumbi · 28/11/2017 13:06

I remember a previous job a million years ago - I was constantly early by about 30 minutes. The few times I was only 10 minutes early I was told off for being late.

I left soon after.

RhiannonOHara · 28/11/2017 13:08

I remember your last thread, OP, about the rats and flies. I'm quite surprised you didn't just walk out then.

I don't think a five-minute 'delay' in answering a phone is worthy of an officious email, unless of course it was the emergency services.

Your boss says you should 'have the phone with you' at all times, which implies it's a mobile, but you say you 'ran to it', which implies it's a desk phone. If the latter, then how can they expect you to have it with you wherever you are?

I'd be tempted to ignore the email, to be honest. If they bring it up again, suggest talking about it face to face, then say you recognise their concerns but remind them it was a one-off.

FlowerPot1234 · 28/11/2017 13:08

I agree with QueenNovo, the email wasn't that bad.

" you said you hadn't answered my call until I rang again at 9:11 because you were getting my room ready. Was that right? We've told you many times to have the phone with you so that all calls can be answered from 9am. "
Was that right?

"This last week I've had to catch the bus as my liftshare has gone travelling and sometimes it means I get there at 9 on the dot, which is my start time. Yesterday I was taking my coat off and opening the shutters at 9 on the dot when the phone rang, I ran to it but it went to answerphone. I then called the number back at 9.05 and it was my boss."
Why don't you get a bus which means you are settled and ready to pick up phones from 9am? You missed the 9am phone call yesterday. It might have been a client. I get very frustrated when businesses state their operating hours are from 9am and I call and nobody answers.