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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To hand my notice in at work

226 replies

Notwavingimdrowning · 26/10/2018 08:50

I work in the nhs and although things are difficult at work at present ( lots of changes by the powers that be, lots of politics and no communication) I love my job. My problem is that I have just been given my Christmas rota and while I expected to be working some of Christmas or new year, I didn’t expect to be working all of it and other staff be off for all of Christmas and new year. In previous years we have worked short shifts and everyone was fairly treated and most were very happy with their off duty, me included. This year, I have been given night shift for 5 of the nights over Christmas. So, three nights in a row, a sleep day Xmas eve, then two more night shifts, Xmas day and Boxing Day, as well as long days New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. I have been and spoken to my manager who agreed that it was very unfair and has now taken one night shift (Boxing Day night) from me. My January rota is also just night shifts, literally every weekend, Friday, Saturday, Sunday nights, not a single day shift at all. I really don’t mind nights and weekends, it’s part of the job, however I do mind every weekend and all night shifts and have spoken to her about this before.
Again I have been to see her and she said that she couldn’t please everyone and that somebody had to have the short straw, I’m guessing that the somebody is me.
I am seriously considering just handing my notice in. I know it sounds like I’m having a temper tantrum ! I don’t expect to have everything changed for me and I know that somebody else will then be allocated my shifts, which makes me feel utter crap towards my colleagues, but it’s the attitude from my manager and unfairness that is the problem. I cannot afford to just give up work really without another job to go to, but my husband will support my decision 100% and I will easily pick up bank shifts so won’t be penniless. I’m not trying to hold them to ransom, I really don’t expect anything to change and do not kid myself that I am irreplaceable, I’m just so unhappy 😞

OP posts:
LaurieMarlow · 26/10/2018 09:55

Just leave. You won't have an issue getting another job. Life is too short.

Itsnotabingthingisit · 26/10/2018 09:55

Think about your work life balance, think about your Wellbeing.

I would hand in my notice. I have done in the past when I felt I was being treated unreasonably but couldn't prove it ' legally' .

Life is too short.

DoYouLikeHueyLewisandTheNews · 26/10/2018 09:56

YANBU. My husband was in a similar position to you. Every year he had the worst shifts while other teams and individuals on his team somehow ended up with brilliant shifts. As you say, you expect to work some duff shifts but when it's both Christmas and NY every year while others don't it's not fair.

The breaking point was the year he raised it and, in their words, "got him Christmas off". What they actually meant was the days leading up to it and then a night shift from Christmas Day onwards. He did have another job lined up, less money but better shifts. He has never looked back. Good luck!

Elasticity · 26/10/2018 09:57

If you are not happy and want to leave then no YANBU

Follow your contract and give the correct length of notice. Leave them to sort out who gets screwed into covering your shifts. I'm betting they will be allocated much more fairly.

Look for another role where the team will value you and treat you more fairly.

Good luck and have a great festive period putting your feet up! Grin

ASundayWellSpent · 26/10/2018 09:58

My DH also works a job where shifts can be bloody unsocial but someone has to do it. His manager is shite and doesn't take peoples' lives into consideration at all. And even that load of idiots give the choice: choose one day off out of CE, CD, NE, ND and get assigned another random one. They would only ever work two out of the four main days (or nights in this case). YANBU

ciderhouserules · 26/10/2018 10:00

I think i'd go back to your manager, and tell him that you want to change the rota more favourably to you, or s/he can expect your resignation on monday. Then they either help you out, or they lose you and everyone has to pick up the loss. As a manager, I know what I'd do

arranfan · 26/10/2018 10:01

Speak to your union because allocating someone the short end of the straw sounds like: managing someone out; constructive dismissal; truly poor management.

sunglasses123 · 26/10/2018 10:02

That is a good point re multi culture. Surely there will be some who don't celebrate Xmas?

ohlittlepea · 26/10/2018 10:02

That is such a terrible Rota!!! I would hand your notice in and apply to a different role. With the nursing crisis there are a lot of roles going!

Fatted · 26/10/2018 10:04

Do what ciderhouserules has suggested. Tell them you're not happy and seriously considering resigning over this. If it doesn't improve within the next week hand your notice in.

mrsjackrussell · 26/10/2018 10:05

I used to work on wards and was in your situation a lot. Leave and do bank work for your hospital. More money. Maybe pick up some agency work too. Pick your own shifts and if you like your ward do some shifts there. In the meantime try a few different wards. You might find somewhere you really love and eventually get a permanent there.

Neshoma · 26/10/2018 10:06

Say:

"Great, and I look forward to next Christmas and NY off - just like my colleagues have this year. Only fair don't you think bitch ????"

sunglasses123 · 26/10/2018 10:07

I am never off sick and consequently am known for being very reliable. There is a member of the team who is constantly off with depression. Its getting to be unmanageable now. When they are here they are unreliable. Cannot remember to complete simple tasks yet the company (big FTSE) don't want to address. It falls to the people that are left to cover her work.

There was a conversation a few months ago about whether she was fit to work in a middle management position but she had a melt down claiming she needed the not inconsiderable salary so a lesser role wouldn't be suitable.

I always like the saying ' you will miss me when I am gone'.

mrsjackrussell · 26/10/2018 10:08

Bank will be crying out for staff too. I could have worked 24/7. They always need staff.

itswinetime · 26/10/2018 10:08

YANBU totally unfair I would hand my notice in sign up to the bank in the short term and apply for a new job in the long run. Nights and weekends you can't do much about but although technically you would only be doing 2 key shifts in my trust (the standard for full timers) Christmas Day night and New Year's Day it's pretty shitty and will spoil the whole of the it! I wouldn't do it!

NicePieceOfPlaid · 26/10/2018 10:10

I would. They are taking the piss. There must be a nursing job with better equality of shifts somewhere else near you.

sunglasses123 · 26/10/2018 10:10

There are lots of jobs around which I must say the media don't tend to shout about.

My DS was looking for a job for 6 months to enable him to take a gap year which he is funding. It took him precisely two days! Don't want to say what it is because it is outing but he sees lots of celebrities!

VioletCharlotte · 26/10/2018 10:13

Whereabouts do you live? At my trust we're crying out for band 5 nurses! And we're prepared to allow people to work flexibly. We have to, as we know people will leave and go elsewhere if we don't. PM me if you're in Berkshire!

FilledSoda · 26/10/2018 10:13

Assuming you won't be in dire straits financially then give notice .
It's one of those decisions that you will look back on with some pride and self respect .

CaptSkippy · 26/10/2018 10:15

Worked as a taxi driver, years ago, and ended up quitting after they made me work three 12 hours shifts in 72 hours. I was exhausted, not to mention that it is illegal and I could have faced a huge fine if I was found out. My manager said the same thing to me "We can't make everyone happy". I quit on the spot.

Babyroobs · 26/10/2018 10:16

Don't hand your notice in in a fit of disgust ( although I understand how you feel). The Christmas rota always causes unfairness and fury in our workplace too and there is always someone ( like you ) that has horrendous off duty and everyone comments on it but no-one is really prepared to swap theirs to help as they have always made plans! There is one Queen bee who when she sees her off duty says " well I can't possibly do that, the whole family are coming round and no-one else will cook the dinner !! " and marches into the managers office and demands it is changed. She has got out of Christmas day late shift for years on end, it is infuriating. Last year I worked 12 hour days on Christmas Eve and Boxing day but was just glad to have Christmas day off. We were lucky to have a few Nurse ( one who lived alone and liked to work Xmas day ) and two Muslim ones who do not celebrate Christmas and were willing to work.

Babyroobs · 26/10/2018 10:19

Just to add , at my workplace they do look back at previous years rotas to see who worked the previous key days at Christmas and new year but there is quite a high turnover of staff and the new ones ( instead of just sucking it up like we used to years ago ) just whinge and say they worked it last year in their old workplace and seem to get away with it.

Bellabutterfly2016 · 26/10/2018 10:21

One of my best friends is a midwife. She had exactly the same situation last Christmas - she has 2 young children.

She went to her manager and union and tried to get it resolved but was told "owing to staff shortages blah blah blah - there was nothing they could do"

She rang up the agency that day and got an interview the next day, her dbs came back and she started doing 1 bank shift a week then put her notice in and now instead of 3 x 13 hr shifts a week (which could be day or night) she does 2 long days, no nights but more days if it suits her, (and chooses when she's available eg over school hols, Xmas etc....) and financially and family wise she is much better off. The agency wages are much better.

I'd be doing exactly that if I was you or Pre-warn your manager (in writing) you'll be doing that and say if they would be willing to discuss a flexible working agreement you'd consider it but you'll be putting in your notice on x day if the situation isn't resolved.

OrdinarySnowflake · 26/10/2018 10:22

Quit, do it today so you get a few days off before Christmas...

You'll get bank work. Particularly over January when everyone is off sick.

Put your own mental health first and use bank work to give you a breather while you work out what'll work best for you.

ladydickisathingapparently · 26/10/2018 10:30

Just do it. You’re worth it Flowers