It’s a parking one at work!!

[Bargebill19]

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???

@VioletGrace

That’s awful. I hope you are treated better now.

I do realise that as “only the cleaner” I will be talked down to. However I am a cleaner by choice not necessity. Not everyone appreciates cleaners. But I’m not stupid nor will I take being spoken to rudely or with condescension. I will not apologise for the fact that I will ask questions and expect sensible answers - even if that answer is “I don’t know but I’ll get back to you”.

@Moondust001

You are on the wrong thread or reading English in a completely different way to everyone else.

Out of interest why have you had complaints about the colour and registration of your vehicle? How offense is the yellow?

I've also just read about the complaints about your car colour and registration. Was this at your current workplace? They sound like a shower of shit!

@ConstanceSalinger

My car is fluorescent yellow. - both our neighbours have complained it’s too bright and all they can see out of their windows. It’s parked on my drive behind my gate and hedge 🥺
Also the registration spells the word ‘Boob’ which has caused several people to say o have a rude car and ask for it to be parked elsewhere. I’ve had numerous people flash me and point laughing at the number plate when stuck in queues of traffic and it has had several people make comments on it - apparently if I’m sat in the car at the motorway services waiting for DH I cant possibly hear or see people commenting and taking photos of the number plate!
It’s not a private registration it’s was what the car was originally registered with and I can remember the number as it makes a word.

YABU and deliberately awkward.

You say “how can I know if there’s no signage” - you know because he’s telling you. He’s your boss and you were insubordinate.

He doesn’t need to give you a reason; if you don’t like the way things are, don’t agree with the rules or don’t think they’re necessary and you can’t abide by them, then you leave. Otherwise you stay quiet and do as you’re told.

@VioletGrace no not at this work place. Those that notice just think it’s fun and typical of the ‘bubbly, smiley cleaner’ to have ‘something different’.

@heartsonacake

So how was I supposed to know in order to not do it???? Surely it’s easier tell people via signage to park this way or that way BEFORE they do so for a whole month and then rudely inform them that they are in the wrong?

Oh hang on I’m just the cleaner so I’m a mind reader.

@heartsonacake

YABU and deliberately awkward.

You say “how can I know if there’s no signage” - you know because he’s telling you. He’s your boss and you were insubordinate.

He doesn’t need to give you a reason; if you don’t like the way things are, don’t agree with the rules or don’t think they’re necessary and you can’t abide by them, then you leave. Otherwise you stay quiet and do as you’re told.

He hasn't told male employees though. Just the 'lowly female cleaner'. Is it acceptable for a manager to just tell a female employee to do something whilst the males can do as they please?

@heartsonacake

He’s not my boss.

@VioletGrace

Thank you.

Pity the car isn’t pink, with that reg you could sell it to Katie Price!

@SeaState3

🤣

More seriously, ask him to put all the parking rules in writing so that you can be sure to follow them.
Preferably on a wall, where you can see them as you park.

Verbal rules are easily confused or forgotten.

A bright yellow boob I bet it makes people smile anyway.

So how was I supposed to know in order to not do it???? Surely it’s easier tell people via signage to park this way or that way BEFORE they do so for a whole month and then rudely inform them that they are in the wrong?

You weren’t. But now he has told you, so now you do know and can abide by the rules.

He hasn't told male employees though. Just the 'lowly female cleaner'. Is it acceptable for a manager to just tell a female employee to do something whilst the males can do as they please?

You, like OP, don’t know who he’s told what to.

@ConstanceSalinger

Exactly!!! Well some people anyway!!
(It always makes me smile)

@heartsonacake. And as I have repeatedly said - I will at the furthest end of the car park out of sight of everyone.

@heartsonacake

Well I know he hasn’t told my line managers!

He sounds mad. Maybe he just likes telling you what to do. Maybe it makes him feel powerful. Never heard of such restrictions.

@heartsonacake the OP has stated during the thread that the male employees have not been told and can, and do, park where and as they wish.

It doesn’t really matter about other employees; the fact of the matter is the managing director has told you X, you abide by X.

Other employees are irrelevant; if you have a problem with them not following the rules you bring that up as an issue, not use it as an excuse to not do as you’re told.

Thank you everyone for your inputs both positive and negative. I’m off to wash a bright yellow boob ready for tomorrow (or is that to uppity?!)

@heartsonacake ah yes, of course, women should just do as they're told regardless of the fact that the rules only seem to apply to them. I guarantee the OP's boss is a wet weekend (as most 'office boys' are), who would not dare tell any male staff how and where to park.