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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think my employer is being unfair

175 replies

nuggies · 21/03/2018 12:29

Last Friday I fell down the stairs and broke my ankle. Following a trip to A&E I am now on crutches and having to wear a moon boot. I can't drive and the doctor said I'm looking at a healing time of six weeks.

My job is office based but my particular role means I would usually be out and about carrying out appointments. I live 20 miles away from the office and there is no train station near me, or any buses that run to the city that I work in.

My husband works in the town next to our village and in this town is another branch of my company. Although it is not the same 'brand' as my company, and in fact their counterpart in the city I work in is a competitor, we are all owned by the same company and use the same systems.

If my husband was to take me to work every day, I would need to be dropped off 45 minutes - an hour before work starts in order for my husband to then drive back to his office and be on time for work. I finish work at 5.30pm and my husband finishes at 6pm (and 7pm on Thursdays), it is at least a half an hour drive between our two offices meaning I would have to wait an hour and a half between finishing work and being picked up.

I have explained all of the above to my regional director and have requested for the next six weeks I work out of the 'competitor' office in the same town as my husband (although because they are not in our city, they aren't even competitors to my office). I have been informed that they do not want me to do this because they don't want me working for the competition and they want me to be in my office as part of that team. I have asked if I can be set up and connected to my offices system from the other office and this is possible, but they don't want me to do it.

Now I am massively upset and feel my employers are being incredibly unreasonable. Not to mention the fact I will be spending time before and after closing hours in the office, alone and on crutches, is this not a health and safety risk? Thursdays for example, I will be in the office alone from 5.30 - 7.30pm.

My employers have offered no other solution and I am only entitled to SSP which is not enough for me to live in. It wouldnt even cover my half of the rent.

Help

OP posts:

HelenaDove · 23/03/2018 01:48

LOL at the comments about her being lucky her DH is willing to accomodate and take her to work.

That or he could just pay all the rent while she recovers.

In sickness and in health...........for richer and for poorer and all that.

opionated · 23/03/2018 02:27

whilst the employer could allow the op to stay after her hours end they would equally be in their rights to make her leave as assumable the manager/owner locks the premises.

eridanus · 23/03/2018 02:41

I must admit I do find this quite a shocking 'millennial attitude' post. They don't want you in the other office - presumably, the other office don't want you there either - they have their own staff and equipment allocations. You broke your foot in your own time through your own bad luck. Either take sick leave or arrange alternative lifts to your job. IT IS A JOB NOT A CRECHE!! ;) you have lifts, your DP, you just have to wait around a bit more for 6 weeks of your life. JESUS I am shocked at your attitude - and then you bring up health and safety. If are that unsteady, take sick leave. If not quit whinging, wait for your lift and Santa/Father Christmas will take the dummy/dodo/soother at christmas for his elves.

PremierNaps · 23/03/2018 03:14

If you get signed off you aren't insured to be in work premises and would have to take SSP it would be wrong for your employer to accept you being there signed off.

bluetongue · 23/03/2018 05:20

I think count yourself lucky you’ve got the option of your husband dropping you off and picking you up and suck up the waiting.

bluetongue · 23/03/2018 05:24

Helena I think people mean that she’s lucky her DH is in a position where offering her lifts is possible. He could work 30 miles in the opposite direction and it not be possible. Also, some of us are shock, horror , single - and would have to do the trip ourselves somehow or suck up for the taxi cost.

Dorsetdays · 23/03/2018 06:16

PremierNaps. Not being covered by employer liability insurance is very unusual now for someone signed off. That's because the 'sick note' is now a 'fit note' and is simply advice not a legal instruction.

Employees can choose to ignore the GPs advice entirely (not saying that's necessarily a good idea!) or can return to work before the end of the fit note if they feel better.

In this case the OP's GP hasn't signed her off work which I assume means they feel that she is well enough to go to work - she just needs to get there which is her responsibility not her employers.

In fact, paying home to work mileage if you are office based, is a taxable benefit for exactly that reason.

The OP clearly said she doesn't want to be off sick as she's only entitled to SSP so the only viable option is to suck it up accept that for the next few weeks she'll be getting a lift from the DH.

I would have already asked my employer to consider if I could work compressed hours for the duration I.e if you're in the workplace anyway until 6.30/7 ask if you can work longer on those days and maybe take each Friday off. If that's not feasible then maybe take a days annual leave on Thursday each week when your DH works late?

The OP has options.

Geekmama · 23/03/2018 06:22

Contact your local taxi firm, I have to get a taxi in to work for about 9 weeks of the year, as my DH can’t take me in because of his working hours. I work similar distance to you. You can ask for a discount and set up an account and put it on your Credit card.

Mynewnameforabit · 23/03/2018 06:34

That or he could just pay all the rent while she recovers.

In sickness and in health...........for richer and for poorer and all that.

Several have said DH should 'just' pay all the rent. Have I missed the OP saying he has a v well paid job and can afford to? Seems a but sexist to assume that as man he has unlimited funds, while the OP has no reserves

PussCatTheGoldfish · 23/03/2018 07:09

It looks like your DH will have to take you.

Have you phoned a taxi company to cost up a block booking as someone up thread suggested?
Even if it's just mornings or just evenings, or even just the days your DH works late it may be more affordable.

Do any of your colleagues live in the same town your DH works in? Can you get a lift with them?

I don't think your employer's are being unreasonable I'm afraid.

DavidBowiesNumber1 · 23/03/2018 07:10

I don't think it's been meant in a sexist way, just that they are a partnership. It doesn't matter that OP is a woman and her partner is male, just that whoever was the uninjured partner could (if finances allow) pay the OP's portion of the rent.
That's not to say that it (possibly) wouldn't be a struggle. Reduced income will obviously be a bit of a hit but I'd certainly assume I'd be covering my DH's share (if our finances were worked out like that and I(we) could afford it).

icelollycraving · 23/03/2018 07:51

Yabu. The other office is not an option. It’s the competition and presumably they have their own team.
It’s not really their problem that you have to wait for your lift. They are making adjustments in your role as presumably you aren’t going to visit clients. I only know about estate agents in what I assume but if you are not going to show houses or try to get people to sell via your agency, they must be bring pretty amenable in letting you be just at your desk.
In terms of H&S, if you push that one, they may say you’re right, you can’t be here, SSP. Don’t cut off your nose...

Mynewnameforabit · 23/03/2018 08:25

Just that whoever was the uninjured partner could (if finances allow) pay the OP's portion of the rent.
...and if they had spare cash for paying rent, she could also choose to get a taxi, or hire an automatic, so that she could go to work (because she isn't ill and doesn't need to be 'off sick', she has a temporary mobility issue)

DavidBowiesNumber1 · 23/03/2018 08:35

I agree Mynewnameforabit, I was just responding to the "it's sexist" claim of a PP.
The OP's mobility problem is just that. Her problem.
Her employers are already allowing her to do desk work instead of her usual role. Up to her how she gets there.

Dungeondragon15 · 23/03/2018 08:35

Having to wait an hour or two at the end of the day for a lift home doesn't seem that much of an issue. Expecting her employer to let her work in another office that they compete with to avoid this seems ridiculous. Also, why would the other office want her there, if she is not specifically working for them?

iloveruby · 23/03/2018 08:51

If you are having to wait a couple of hours each side of the day then I agree with the PP who have said to use the time productively. Either do work so that you can do a 4 day week or take a good book and some biscuits and enjoy the enforced rest!

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 23/03/2018 08:51

Are you feeling fit enough to be in work OP?

Actually being alert, focused and able to do usual work tasks?? Plus a significantly longer day waiting around??

Are you OK with people perhaps accidentally brushing against your leg/ankle (which will happen in a busy workplace)

When I broke my ankle... I needed help: getting showered, back and forth to the loo in the first week as the pain was making me faint.

Trying to weight bear was agony. Sitting upright for an hour was pretty shit with my whole ankle pounding with pain...

At week 3 my partner got me out to local cafe- I could only stay an hour cos the pain got too much... And this was taking Tramadol.

I'm so glad I'm past this.

Hope you mend soon!

Dungeondragon15 · 23/03/2018 09:01

I wasn't in agony when I broke my ankle but I found sitting at a desk painful. I suppose it depends on the number of breaks, where and whether bone is displaced. I assume that OP's pain isn't too bad though or she wouldn't be contemplating work.

Iseveryusernametaken · 23/03/2018 11:47

This may appear unfair, but it's certainly not unlawful. You have a contract of employment for a place of work and certain hou

Iseveryusernametaken · 23/03/2018 11:53

Sorry, prematurely posted.

Certain hours of work. If you are unable to fulfil because of your injury, then you are off sick. It sounds that they have already made a reasonable adjustment by allowing you to work at a desk and not fulfill the travel part of your role? They don't need to do this incidentally as it's not a permanent disability.

I highly doubt that insurance would be an issue as people with physical disabilities would be covered under the same policy and there should be a risk assessment for how they would get out of the building in an emergency.

You're not expected to work out of hours, so technically not a lone worker, you're asking to stay there. Regardless, as long as there is a risk assessment, this may be okay.

Is there nobody that could car share that lives near your home or husband's office?

MorriBuntz25 · 23/03/2018 11:54

If you have a union at work speak to them and if not call or just turn up at your local citizens advice,you'll get help while you heal if you ask for it from one of these for sure and then look for a new employer. Yours sound horrendous and uncaring xx

Jolinda · 23/03/2018 12:10

Have you considered DWP Access to work.
www.gov.uk/access-to-work/eligibility

It is designed for situations just like this. I had to get a Taxi to work for three months following heart surgery as I wasn't allowed to drive and have no access to public transport.

This is exactly eth kind of case they used to support, short term cases where the person can continue work but cannot get in due to a temporary illness.

TrickyD · 23/03/2018 12:17

If your husband is in a position to contribute more than half the rent, he should do so.

I find it hard to get my head round married couples who not have joint finances.

None of my busness, I know, but neither are your financial arrangements your employer's problem.

AndhowcouldIeverrefuse · 23/03/2018 12:23

Have your workplace done a risk assessment? You might be ok wobbling around at home but can you work for 8 hours, negotiate the work toilets, doors, people, desks, etc? You are either fit for work or not.

I work for a large organisation - when someone is signed off by a doctor it doesn't matter what the person says about their fitness to work, they are sent home.

Ferret27 · 26/03/2018 09:31

Hi
Two other options...
Husband takes you in and you take a taxi ( or bus ... cheaper)to his office at the end of your shift so you don’t have to wait the time it takes him to pick you up at the end of your day.. if you can’t wait in his office then sit in the car.
Second option ... Work your hours over 4 days until fit ... go to your boss with multiple solutions that work for you both rather than just the problem .... estate agents are fiercely competitive and they may even be worried you decide to go and work for the other company if you get on with the team there and it’s easier to commute to...

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