To think this should not be put on my shoulders

[Raspberryfrog]

Name changed for this as outing
I work as a carer to a young girl of 8, I usually work 18 hours per week as due to disability a struggle to do any more however over the last two weeks I have been doing over 60 hours as for some reason the main 2 carers have been allowed to take leave at the same time so me and the other part time carer are covering as many hours as we can. There is a week left to cover as each of the other carers have taken 3 weeks.
Last night I was meant to be doing a night shift covering but I ending up in hospital with servere stomach pain. The hospital are sending me for a scan as they suspect kidney stones.

Tonight I got to my job to be confronted by the grandma of the girl I care for (it’s a private family set up). Saying I am unreliable, the fact I only let them know an hour before I was not coming in (pain struck suddenly and I was screaming so my girlfriend had to ring)
She was saying her daughter had not been well so she had to stay over to help look after granddaughter and I had much too much time off sick. (I have had 4 days in 12 months 3 for a sickness bug and then last night)
She then says it is my fault that she won’t be able to fly out to Australia to see her other son who is seriously ill as her daughter may need help with care if I am off again and because main 2 members of staff are on leave it won’t be able to be covered.

I was just gobsmacked and did not say anything. Her grandma then leaves slamming the door and the daughter just turns to me and shrugs.
I am so upset especially with all the cover I am providing and the amount of time I end up staying for a few extra hours after a 12 hour shift because the girl I care for is unwell and her mum needs an extra hand.

So aibu to think the grandma blaming me for not being able to visit her son is not on and also
Aibu to tell them to shove a load of extra shifts they want me to cover up until Christmas. These long hours have crippled me but I knew the extra help was needed

The other carer who is part time has had quite a bit of time of sick. But that was 2 infectious things caught from the girl that we were not informed about before a shift. Things like gloves are rationed so barrier caring is really hard work. She has also been worked into the ground

I also worked 12 hours without a break. We had to be with the girl we care for at all times. Allowed to nip to the toilet but that is it. If we did eat something it had to be in the same room as the girl.
There is also times I have arrived for my shift and been stood outside for 30 minutes because they have been out and are not back yet

Definitely stand up to your employer point out the hours you are contracted to do and the extra hours you do. (and are happy to do .) But that does not mean that you will be shouted out for having a day off due to sickness. Especially when you have already done more then your stated hours. I expect they will agree and yes I expect grandma was stressed, also try to reassure that there is no reason why gran can't go to oz.

June2007
Read ops posts, she left the job already after they threatened her with the sack!

Well done for walking out, they sound impossible to work for

Yanbu. Obviously the family are under strain but you should not be treated like that. Good luck finding something

God, they sound terrible

What sort of disability / illnesses would require this level of 24-hour care? Obviously i am NOT asking for the details of this particular child, but more in general. Genuine question as thankfully, i have no knowledge of such situations (and totally say there but for the grace of God, etc).