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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

It’s a parking one at work!!

312 replies

Bargebill19 · 22/07/2020 12:11

So, I work part time as a cleaner. I drive a new car. I do 4 hours. Everyone else works 7-7 shifts. I’m out by 11am.

I have been told by the managing director that I must park my car at the front of double bays, not at the rear and always facing forward to avoid doors clashing and using reverse gear.
There are 200 spaces and only 20 cars on site at anyone time.
There is no signage to say forward parking only.
Nothing in my contract to say there are parking rules.
Not site specific rules anywhere.
I parked in space A facing forward to drive straight out - in front of me was a night shift car which would be leaving 15 mins after I arrive. I admit I like to park in the first space with a gap either side of me.
Apparently I can only park in spaces BCDEFG etc. Or I can reverse park into a space up at the fence. I do not like these as 1) they are disability spaces 2) they have overhanging trees which loose branches in the wind onto cars parked there.
I could have parked in space E this morning - but cars in D and F have made the space tight and I didn’t want to ding their doors or have them ding mine when there was zero need.
The manager director couldn’t give me a reason as to why I had to park like this other than to avoid using reverse gear - which I would have had to use to get into a fence space - or to get out of one. But apparently that was fine........
When I said he was bonkers - he said the gatehouse will report my car in the morning- I said fine nice to know security will keep an eye on my car! (Security have said they really couldn’t care less!)
There is no reason that is covid related that I can think of, as it is better for cars to be spread out to avoid people accidentally touching each other’s cars rather than parked like sardines. Especially when the majority of people arrive and leave together.
I’m so tempted to park across two spaces tomorrow facing the right way on the right side just to see him get even more annoyed.
FWIW - there are only two female drivers on site the rest are all men - if that makes any difference! Plus my car is the only bright yellow one in a sea of black or white cars.
Anyone have any ideas as to his reasoning before I do park it large???

It’s a parking one at work!!
OP posts:
BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 24/07/2020 12:18

To be honest OP I’d be seriously considering telling the agency that you aren’t willing to work on that site any more!

Bargebill19 · 24/07/2020 12:25

That is very quickly becoming my go to option. I have told them I’m no longer doing extra hours unless they can find cover so I can have two days off per week. 28 hrs over 7 days plus another part time mon-fri job is enough.

OP posts:
Harls1969 · 24/07/2020 14:46

Bonkers. I will always reverse into a space (unless I can forward drive through to the other side). Not only is it easier to reverse park, it makes leaving the space easier. Do you think he's got beef with you being the cleaner yet having a better car than him? Maybe he has a teeny, tiny penis and he's taking it out on you. I honestly can't see what his issue is otherwise

Bargebill19 · 24/07/2020 15:03

Honestly I neither know nor care anymore. Totally his problem and not mine.

But your theory is good. God help me if he ever discovered the mortgage was paid off decades ago - is probably be told to walk to work barefoot!!

OP posts:
TJ17 · 24/07/2020 15:27

No no no you can't possibly own a house when you're "just a cleaner" 😮🤭

🙄😂😂

Bargebill19 · 24/07/2020 15:30

Oops forgot I’m really living in the gutter dressed in nettle shirts and eating the raw potato’s as they fall of the passing wagons. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

OP posts:
TJ17 · 24/07/2020 19:27

😂😂😂😂😘😘😘

MulticolourMophead · 24/07/2020 19:58

I'd give up on this role, and get hours elsewhere. You complied with the rule issued only to you, and still get reported for your parking? Nah, fuck that.

Bargebill19 · 24/07/2020 20:31

@MulticolourMophead

I totally agree.

OP posts:
SeaState3 · 25/07/2020 07:42

Yes, he’s bonkers

Bargebill19 · 25/07/2020 13:18

We’ve had a memo - it reads, regarding parking,
This is a no reverse site.
Park In.

End of memo.

That’s it. We are all totally mystified. Do we park nose into a space or nose out as either way you have to use reverse gear.

So I’m definitely going with bonkers.

OP posts:
Lweji · 25/07/2020 13:23

Clearly, you have to park across spaces near the wall, so that you can drive forward in and out.
I'd do it next time.
And wait for the next memo.

BTW, it looks like someone has been asking him about the so called parking regulations.

Bargebill19 · 25/07/2020 13:33

That was my thoughts!! Parallel parking in effect which is totally doable.

I suspect he’s been getting a lot of questions this week. He’s refused to purchase paper cups to go with the drinking fountains. But failed to notify anyone. So those arriving for 12 hour shifts had nothing to drink if they hadn’t brought either a mug/drink/money. (We have a coffee machine). As it’s not my boss’s responsibility to order them (cleaning materials only) I have directed them to the MDs door as instructed by my boss. He also tried to shut half the toilet blocks...until it was pointed out that when you have to go - you have to go. ....!

OP posts:
notapizzaeater · 25/07/2020 13:36

He's sounds but shit crazy !

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 25/07/2020 13:47

You can’t argue with crazy. Sounds like he is just trying to through his weight around though. Arsehole.

Bargebill19 · 25/07/2020 13:57

No you can’t. But I do laugh at it. I suspect he is - sadly he doesn’t realise he’s not gaining any respect - just the complete opposite.

OP posts:
Mysa74 · 27/07/2020 11:28

And I though my place was bad....
Nod and smile OP, nod and smile.
And get ready to laugh at the next edict Grin

MulticolourMophead · 27/07/2020 18:08

If the car park is laid out as in OP's diagram, you have to reverse at some point, either in or out. So you can't have a no reverse site.

Lucky we don't have any directives at our site. And we've not had any accidents or near misses, either, in nearly 7 years working there.

MulticolourMophead · 27/07/2020 18:10

@Bargebill19

That was my thoughts!! Parallel parking in effect which is totally doable.

I suspect he’s been getting a lot of questions this week. He’s refused to purchase paper cups to go with the drinking fountains. But failed to notify anyone. So those arriving for 12 hour shifts had nothing to drink if they hadn’t brought either a mug/drink/money. (We have a coffee machine). As it’s not my boss’s responsibility to order them (cleaning materials only) I have directed them to the MDs door as instructed by my boss. He also tried to shut half the toilet blocks...until it was pointed out that when you have to go - you have to go. ....!

Isn't there a legal minimum of toilets you have to have? Based on staff numbers? He might find he can't close down toilets if it takes the total numbers below the minimum.
Bargebill19 · 27/07/2020 18:42

@MulticolourMophead

Not sure if there is a minimum number. I have repeatedly said I do not have a problem with anyone using any of the toilets (but PLEASE flush them!). They are all cleaned four times a day. I would rather that than someone having an accident - and it makes cleaning easier as the men have other toilets to use whilst I’m cleaning theirs (it is soooo not a spectator sport when they use the loo!).

I would have thought from a coronavirus point of view - the more toilets in use equals less cross infection between people as each toilet is then only used by 2 or 3 people and not 10 ?

OP posts:
Mysa74 · 27/07/2020 20:28

Your logic makes complete sense to me op

Bargebill19 · 27/07/2020 22:20

Quick google of the HSE site. They only need two toilets per sex and one disabled toilet to be open - so yes, they could close over half the toilets (there are 13 spread over 3 separate areas).
Not that I agree with closing them.

OP posts:
MulticolourMophead · 27/07/2020 23:12

If you take all of his rules and changes together, I get the impression of someone a bit out of his depth.

Bargebill19 · 28/07/2020 11:52

So they have closed half the toilets - and blamed me, saying it’s because I only clean them once per day. They are cleaned four times a day. Management were then upset that I refused to clean the remaining gents toilets whilst they were being used. 🤮. So I closed them to clean them and then reopened them. This has resulted in toiletgate and my boss is on the warpath - as I’m being stopped from doing the job I’m employed to do.
My boss agrees that a) don’t lie and use me as a scapegoat b) I’m right that it increases cross infection risk by closing half the toilets c) I’m not to clean if men insist on using the toilets whilst I’m cleaning them. If anything else happens apparently I’m within my rights to refuse to the entire toilets full stop.
I have said I’m reluctant to return. My boss is going in to read them the riot act.

OP posts:
TJ17 · 28/07/2020 15:27

The madness continues 😅

I'm glad your boss is decent and has your back 👏🏼