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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be peed off at getting ‘told off’ for working at home

179 replies

Hatemyjob2 · 02/03/2018 13:31

Started new job in January. Okayish, better than last one, but micro- managed to the hilt.

Anyway you may have noticed a spot of bother with the weather, so I asked to work from home. Told OK, as long as I can’t get in. Anyway oh’s office is closed for safety reasons, so I’d have to trek 1/2 mile to the bus for 6.30. Pavements are like ice and I have osteoporosis.

So I log on at 8am and get stuck in. Then I get a sarky message: where are you? Is public transport not working. I explain that I couldn’t get in and have been roundly told off like a child and apparently they will have words with me on Monday.

OH has said to start looking for a new job and I’m inclined to agree now.

OP posts:
trinity0097 · 02/03/2018 13:32

Are the buses even running with you, many aren’t around here.

Snowysky20009 · 02/03/2018 13:33

Is public transport running?

scurryfunge · 02/03/2018 13:33

They need to have words with the person who told you it was OK.

Oooeeeerrrrrindeed · 02/03/2018 13:34

Yes definitely. If they're fucked off with you working from home when you can't travel in (entirely subjective person to person). Look elsewhere and be very firm with them about their unreasonable demands and demeaning "disciplinary" process.

WTFIsThisVirus · 02/03/2018 13:37

Our buses weren't even running when the snow was really bad. I have no idea if theyre running today!

Was it the same person ? That's really out of order and inconsistent!

ZigZagIntoTheBlue · 02/03/2018 13:37

I had a job like that, it was so demoralising as the other option would be sitting in my arse doing nothing, at least I was being productive and trying to help!
I agree with your OH - start looking elsewhere!

Glumglowworm · 02/03/2018 13:39

YANBU

Snow and icy conditions are very variable. One location can be fine with grit and sensible shoes, another half a mile away can be like an ice rink. As adults, I hope we’re all capable of judging ourselves when it’s not safe to make a journey. Even in the same town, things like living up a steep hill can affect whether a journey is possible or not. Plus of course individual circumstances affect how well we handle the journey.

My employer was very good yesterday and today (we had a red warning from yesterday afternoon to early hours of this morning), nearly everyone arrived yesterday but then the impending red warning was announced and conditions worsened. Managers were happy for people to go when they felt they needed to. Most people left mid morning, leaving the most local people to hold the fort til early afternoon when we closed before the red warning. They were appreciative of people’s efforts to get in and stay in, but didn’t guilt trip those who couldn’t.

GirlsBlouse17 · 02/03/2018 13:40

Yes start looking elsewhere. They obviously don't give a shit about your health, welfare and safety

DNAwrangler · 02/03/2018 13:40

Who said it was ok for you not to come in? Was it a phone call or do you have it in writing? I'd be re-directing the person who has a problem with it to them.

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 02/03/2018 13:44

eh? I'm confused. They said it was OK for you to work from home didn't they?

RomaineCalm · 02/03/2018 13:53

It doesn't sound very reasonable but I read your OP as 'it's ok to work from home IF you can't get in'.

Did you contact work first thing and let your manager know that since you couldn't get into work you would work from home as agreed?

LakieLady · 02/03/2018 13:55

Not your fault, you were told it was ok! Idiots.

Because we work out in the community, we get told not to try and drive if the weather's bad. We get a round robin text or email advising us to give telephone support and advice, and have carte blanche to work from home.

I really don't understand why some employers are so stuck in this mindset that if they can't see you, you're not working. They'd rather have staff spending hours travelling (when everyone's been advised not to!) and risking accidents when there's a far more efficient alternative.

MyDcAreMarvel · 02/03/2018 13:57

I am confused how is your oh office being closed relevant?

maybeitsbecauseim · 02/03/2018 13:57

YABU. You could get in but chose not to. It’s a bit of snow, it’s not the apocalypse. People in other countries live it for three months every winter and they somehow still manage to go to work.

Topseyt · 02/03/2018 13:58

Are the buses even running?

If they have said you can work from home then that should be fine, surely. At least until Monday. I work from home during the winter months and have been very glad of it over the last few days.

I know what you mean about icy footpaths. They scare me too and ours are like skating rinks at the moment. I don't have osteoporosis, but did have a badly broken arm a couple of years ago which is now held together by metal plates. OK, it didn't happen on ice, but funnily enough I am not mad keen to repeat the experience so I haven't gone out much this week.

Tell them that your osteoporosis makes it inadvisable to take such a risk.

Creambun2 · 02/03/2018 14:03

What has your OH's work got to do with yours?

selfishcrab · 02/03/2018 14:03

I'm sick of the other countries crap, yes they do manage BUT they are prepared! My DH lives in Norway all through winter (7 months of the year) and we have a home there, we are prepared, we have winter tyres with studs, we have snow chains, we have everything, my DH called me last night and asked me to not go to work today as here we don't have the snow ploughs and the community that can deal with these conditions!
OP if your DH's work was closed for safety then it must be quite bad where you are and you also asked to work from home and it was ok'd so no YANBU. I'd talk to them on Monday be I'd be clear that they had said it was ok.

SleepySheepy · 02/03/2018 14:06

Yep look for another job. It sounds like you're able to do your work from home, so what's the issue? I'd be inclined to work from home on Monday as well...

MichaelBendfaster · 02/03/2018 14:06

YANBU. Massively mixed messages.

See what they have to say on Monday and then explain this. I don't know whether the same person told you OK and then 'told you off', or if it was two different people, but it is inconsistent. And saying they will 'have words' is threatening, unpleasant and unprofessional.

Do your work know about your osteoporosis?

maybe, the OP's health has a direct bearing on why she was loath to try to get in.

MyDc, the oh's office being closed is relevant, I think, because the OP would normally go in with him in the car; but he hasn't gone to work today and therefore her lift isn't available.

mollied · 02/03/2018 14:06

Sounds a bit ridiculous they said it was ok and plenty of people couldn't get to work over this period, I would look for a new job personally

notanurse2017 · 02/03/2018 14:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TenancyTroublesAgain · 02/03/2018 14:09

Look for a new job. Cunts.

Topseyt · 02/03/2018 14:10

Maybe, did you miss the part where the OP said she has osteoporosis?

A fall on icy footpaths could be extremely serious for someone with this.

Fairenuff · 02/03/2018 14:13

It depends what the roads are like. Presumably you could have got a taxi?

RedSkyAtNight · 02/03/2018 14:13

Playing devil's advocate it sounds like OP could have got in ... if her DH's workplace was closed then he could have given her a lift to the bus stop avoiding the need for her to walk along icy pavements.

I don't think the fact that DH's workplace is closed is relevant. My workplace is closed today because the site itself is hazardous, but it would be perfectly possible for me to get to site.