My boss

[HarryLucasMummy]

I work as a Palliative Carer and told my boss at least two months ago that I couldn't work Christmas Eve to Boxing Day. That there was no way possible because I have my Sons while their Dad unfortunately has to work himself.

This morning whilst my youngest son was napping I got a call from my Boss. We spoke for a while until she dropped the bomb that I'd be expected to go to a few calls on Christmas Day

Normally I have daycare covered - The boys either go with their Dad or to Nursery School. But since neither are available I've had to tell my boss I can't work. I even told her to check the rota and see for herself that I wasn't on the Christmas rota

My boss then proceeded to tell me I'd be fired after New Years - She won't, she's all talk and no trousers, she also said I was selfish to have two children and let her down.

I'm not looking for advice or anything. I just needed to vent because my boss's temper tantrum is frustrating and baffling me. She's a grown woman and yet she's making a fuss because I unfortunately have to look after my children.

Contact HR - she shouldn't be speaking to you like that (however stressed she may be)

When you told her 2 months ago that you couldn't work on Christmas Day, what did she say?

Are you bank/agency or actual contracted hours?

She's not stuck for someone to work. There are four other girls she can ask who have no children and are lazy little madams. As for my contracted hours: I work Wednesday evenings, Thursday all day, Friday Mornings. And Saturday to Sunday I stay with a young man who's very sick - And my boys get their weekend with their Dad

When I originally told her I couldn't work over Christmas - She was fine, she understood. In fact she told me if I needed anything just to call. Normally I'd have my Son's Dad running around after me so for her to offer was lovely because I need all the help I can get

I honestly don't know what sparked the sudden nastiness from my boss though. I don't pry into her personal life

Did you put in holiday forms? Or does your place not work like that?

Our place doesn't work like that. We basically have a rota and if we can't do our alloted shift times someone else will cover it as long as you give the boss plenty of notice. I let my boss know with plenty of time for her to find someone to cover me

Tell her you'll work New Years and get someone who wants New Years off to cover you - or just tell her fine if I'm sacked I'll leave now and you can sort Christmas and New Years put yourself

By the way she's a total twat for leaving it til a few days beforehand - clearly as no management skills!!

I can't stand people that think parents have more right to Xmas off than other workers! I've heard it a million times at my work. Other people have family too, even if they're not little children. Some have elderly relatives that may not be around for many more years. If Xmas with your children is so important to you do a job that doesn't involve working on Xmas day.

It sounds like a rubbish system for how leave is booked/allocated. Rosters need fixing long before this week!

Sorry - sore point for me!

If she had already said it was fine then she's out of order.

Hang on so it was your shift and you just assumed she would find someone to cover?
It's a very unusual system where you get to veto as many shifts as you like with no comeback

Yes and op lost me at lazy little madams

"She's a grown woman and yet she's making a fuss because I unfortunately have to look after my children."
You're a grown woman making a fuss because you're expected to honour work commitments.
Your ex unfortunately has to work. Unfortunately so do you. No difference imo..

Your boss IBU - how unpleasant - but your comment below is not nice There are four other girls she can ask who have no children and are lazy little madams.

As for my contracted hours: I work Wednesday evenings, Thursday all day, Friday Mornings. And Saturday to Sunday I stay with a young man who's very sick

So you don't even work mondays or tuesdays? Not your problem then is it?

Ah hang on if that is the case apologies

But you wouldn't be working anyway, it's not your days ?

I felt for you until you said your other colleagues were lazy little madams without children. I have kids but I genuinely don't think people without children, especially women have less right to having some time to enjoy the festive period.

She's not working Monday's so definitely not OPs problem.

Your boss has fucked up the Christmas rota planning and is trying to guilt you into working.

Sorry posted to early meant to add it's shit that you feel your colleagues are lazy that's stressful but at the end of the day you are not contracted to work these days unless there is something in your contract that suggests otherwise the "firing" comment is unacceptable.

When you work shifts in a 24hr industry you can't just say you aren't working christmas! 😂😂 childcare isn't your employers issue, you have had 2 months to make alternative arrangements, this is your fuck up not hers! Vile entitled attitude, can't stand parents like you! You give the rest of us a bad reputation.

She's not had two months, her boss has only just rung her.

YABU for thinking others should work just because they don’t have kids. Your kids are not their problem or their responsibility

But since your boss was apparently fine when you said 2 months ago that you couldn’t work Christmas, YANBU to object to having it sprung on you this late on.