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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Boss says I have to work tonight or will face disciplinary.

484 replies

Partygal · 31/12/2019 10:51

Some of my colleagues are on here so have name changed.

I work in a 24 hours a day, 365 days a year job. Everyone has to take their turn at doing the shit shifts.

As I was off over Christmas last year, I willingly took my turn to work and did Christmas and Boxing Day. It suited me as I am going to a party tonight that I have been looking forward to a lot.

My colleague who was supposed to be working tonight sent me a text earlier today saying he can’t work tonight due to illness!!! (Yeah right!) He went on to say he was just giving me the heads up to block the manager’s number.

I thanked him and said no way was I working because I’ve done my time in work over Christmas.

Anyway my boss rang up as predicted - using someone else’s phone. She first asked why everyone seemed to have blocked her number, and asked if my colleague had already told me that he wasn’t going to work that night. I denied it.

She went on to say what I already knew that he won’t be at work tonight. I told her that I would not be covering. She says no one else she has managed to speak to, can get child care at such short notice and nor can she. According to her, “it has to be me.”

I still said no. She said she would try everyone else again, and threatened me with “consequences” if I turn my phone off. She has come back and has again said she can’t find anyone else to work. She says I will face a disciplinary if I don’t go in. I told her to go fuck herself. She has been texting repeatedly every since and has just told me that I will be fired for this.

Can she do this?

OP posts:
friendlyfires321 · 31/12/2019 10:53

I don’t think she can fire you.

I would have said that I was at the opposite end of the country just to be sure that she knows you can’t make it.

Did you really tell her to go fuck herself? 😬

misspiggy19 · 31/12/2019 10:53

She says I will face a disciplinary if I don’t go in. I told her to go fuck herself.

^Well that was stupid wasn’t it? You can’t be disciplined for refusing to go in on your day off. I imagine there will be consequences for what you said to her.

TheZeppo · 31/12/2019 10:54

How long have you worked there?
What are your contracted hours?
Did you really swear at her?

NoOneNeedsToKnowThis · 31/12/2019 10:54

Did you actually tell her to go fuck herself?

Ffsnosexallowed · 31/12/2019 10:55

You probably couldn't get sacked for not going in. You possibly could if you told her to go fuck herself.

ScreamingValalalalahLalalalah · 31/12/2019 10:55

Hard to say without seeing your contract, but if you literally told her to "go fuck herself" that would be grounds for a disciplinary where I work.

Partygal · 31/12/2019 10:56

She’s used the F-word to me in a text, so I don’t think she can say much about that can she?

OP posts:
fedup21 · 31/12/2019 10:56

I would imagine that yes, you will be disciplined for telling her to go fuck herself.

Why would you do that?

I would have said, ‘no, I can’t work-I already have plans’

Redglitter · 31/12/2019 10:56

You told your boss to go fuck herself?? Really?? Hmm Not sure that was the smartest move - if you did

Sunshinelollipops1 · 31/12/2019 10:56

Unless you are in certain very specific roles (police, military services) then you can’t be forced to attend work at short notice like this. She can not fire you or discipline you.

If you are concerned give ACAS a call.

If you did actually swear at her then you could be subject to disciplinary measures.

Stefoscope · 31/12/2019 10:57

Surely she'd have to discipline everyone else for not being available, otherwise she's singling you out? I wouldn't go in and save the evidence that she's threatening to fire you as that seems very unprofessional of her.

BruceAndNosh · 31/12/2019 10:57

Your big mistake was admitting that you were anywhere near work. You should have said you were in Cornwall or Inverness (whichever is furthest)

Actually, no.
Your biggest mistake was telling your boss to go fuck themselves. That most probably IS a disciplinary matter

ScreamingValalalalahLalalalah · 31/12/2019 10:57

Make sure you keep her text message where she swore at you.

thenightsky · 31/12/2019 10:57

Well, I'm not sure telling her to go fuck herself was a good idea, although its what I would be thinking in my head Grin

I think the manager should be prepared to do the shift herself tbh.

HermioneWeasley · 31/12/2019 10:57

Depends what your contract says about working at short notice.

plunkplunkfizz · 31/12/2019 10:57

I hope the language you used is an exaggeration or any moral high ground you had has been lost.

Jumpi · 31/12/2019 10:57

It was all going well until I go to:

I told her to go fuck herself.

HulksPurplePanties · 31/12/2019 10:57

I think I'd start looking for a new job OP.

Maybe don't tell your new employer that you were fired for telling your boss to go fuck themselves.
Biscuit

friendlyfires321 · 31/12/2019 10:58

What exactly did she text you where she said “fuck”?

I honestly don’t think you’ll be disciplined for not going in. I don’t see how you could be Confused

JeezyPeeps · 31/12/2019 10:58

Not buying it. Only a complete idiot would think they would still have a job after saying that to their boss.

Honeyroar · 31/12/2019 10:58

You had the high ground until you swore at her!

user1473878824 · 31/12/2019 10:58

I’d fire you for telling me to go fuck myself. Saying fuck in a text and saying go fuck yourself are two very different beasts.

Partygal · 31/12/2019 10:59

Yes but she can’t prove I swore at her. I can prove she used bad language to me in a text.

OP posts:
Tattooedmama · 31/12/2019 10:59

If you knew ahead of her calling you should have said you are out of town and have no way to get home

thenightsky · 31/12/2019 10:59

I would (and have in the past) said something along the lines of 'sorry, can't talk, flight is about to board... byeeee'.