How can I stop this bothering me

[SartBimpson]

Nc. I work in a small branch of a large company. There's my manager (I'll call him Bob), me (deputy manager) and a team of volunteers.

Last year, Bob was rarely in. He would take his AL in single days and by summer had hardly done a full week. He must have noticed his AL rapidly going down so started having sick days here and there. Bob had a serious illness a couple of years ago which although he's all clear from now, it means his sick days are never questioned.

Anyway, towards the end of the year he started just having days off and not declaring them. He constantly questioned my entitlement (I had quite a few left as I'm rarely off) and I found emails to our area manager suggesting mine weren't correct.

I've tried to ignore it but tbh it's pissing me off. Since our AL reset on 1/1, Bob has had 7 AL days, 3 sick days and 2 'unofficial' ones. I'm exhausted carrying our department but I know nothings will happen if I report him. He's worked for the company for 20 years and has good results, area manager would turn a blind eye. I haven't been there long and would undoubtedly come out the villain.

Sorry for long post. I just need to learn to not let it get to me so am asking for help from you all for that!

Sorry if i'm oversimplifying, but why don't you arrange to have a chat with your area manager and tell him/her you're struggling under the workload while doing the manager's share of the work so often.

The area manager may be well aware of how much time Bob is having off, and the pattern of it, and as you work through that in the convo. he/she will have to acknowledge your concern and explore ways to cope. OR he/she will be surprised about the amount of time Bob's having off and address that instead between them.

I wouldn't worry about the atmos after that. But then i'm getting to the age where i can't be arsed with all that shite

We had a similar problem where I work with one of our managers. He was coming in everyday but had no real interest in his work and no idea what was going on in his department.
We all worked together to keep things moving but this just meant whenever he was reported it was ignored cause from a number point of view we were making money so everything must of been fine.
He was finally fired after the company started losing money and upper management had to pay attention to what was being said to them.
Its hard when lazy people seem to just succeed, and even get recognition for other peoples hardwork

I'd be choosing those days to need an important question answered and have to contact Bob's boss as Bob isn't in today, again.

I would follow the advice ofLaiste, speak to the Area Manager about the effect it has on you.

If that doesn't improve things either accept that your job is actually to fill in a lot more for Bob than was apparent when you took the job, or leave.

Finding reasons to contact higher up is a good idea, will have to just be a bit careful I'm not making myself look incompetent!

Bob isn't actually lazy when he's here, he works hard but just seems unable to do a full week. His appointments always take a half or full day as well which don't get recorded as we're allowed medical appointments as part of our contract. He just takes the piss with his.

I would ask the area manager for a meeting. Another option is to make it really clear to Bob that you are recording his days off. When he says he won’t be in ask him straight out how the day off is to be recorded every single time and if he is shady about it sit him down and have it out with him that you are willling to take it up the chain and that you are not going to put up with his shit.

As you point out yourself this is escalating so I think you have to do something.

The advice about focusing on your own job and doing that alone to the best of your abilities has really worked for me over the years. I have seen colleagues become so bitter and twisted with resentment that their work environment becomes toxic.

Still, he is my line manager.

Sorry, I got confused somehow and thought you were both directly under the area manager

I think you have no option but to look for something else. If you do leave make sure you ask the area manager for a exit meeting. Make sure you take the details of all the unauthorised time off with you to this meeting.