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AIBU?

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Original poster

New job and I need a day off?!

57 replies

whatsfordinneer · 07/10/2020 17:07

Just started work over a week ago and my car has gone and broken down on the motorway today. I was a bit shaken up as I was on my own they have taken it to the garage and it's having the work done tomorrow.

I don't have a number to call so I have requested a day off using the work app and I have written in the notes what's happened. I don't live close to work and I have to leave at 6 in the morning so I need my car.

OH says I should of lied as it just sounds bad.

Have I done the wrong thing?

OP posts:
MoonJelly · 07/10/2020 18:11

I think if you are asking for time off tomorrow they will take the view that you have time to arrange alternative ways of getting in, whether it's public transport, taxi, hiring a car, a lift or whatever. The fact that you've moved somewhere which makes a taxi journey expensive isn't your employers' fault.

Original poster
whatsfordinneer · 07/10/2020 18:11

To be honest I can't really afford a taxi my car is going to empty my savings 😫

OP posts:
Original poster
whatsfordinneer · 07/10/2020 18:14

The first train is at 6:45 it's too late and I can't afford a taxi my job is only part time it's 4 hours I'm sure they can get cover for 4 hours.

OP posts:
LIZS · 07/10/2020 18:14

Presumably you will be paid at some point soon. Does oh work and could pay towards your shared maintenance cost. What was your plan b if he needed to use it one day?

Dyrne · 07/10/2020 18:15

What’s the company leave policy? Where I work taking leave this last minute would solely be up to the discretion of the manager.

You say you’re skint but look at the bigger picture here - if you haven’t followed the right procedures here you could piss of your workmates and manager - is this really the Firt impression you want to be giving? Depending on the workplace, you could just be told to not bother coming in again at all!

LIZS · 07/10/2020 18:15

What time do you start and how far away?

Original poster
whatsfordinneer · 07/10/2020 18:19

I start at 7 I've just checked uber it's £27 so £54 that's a week food shop for us.

OP posts:
Dyrne · 07/10/2020 18:20

Can your OH give you a lift?

speakout · 07/10/2020 18:22

I would try anything to get to work.

Could you hire a car while yours gets fixed? A quick search shows daily car hire from £25 around me.

speakout · 07/10/2020 18:23

Do you have no one who could give you a lift?

DontTouchTheMoustache · 07/10/2020 18:24

Similar thing happened to me a few years ago, I just had it recovered to a garage near my work

Leylafrenchie · 07/10/2020 18:24

You need to get a taxi or a Uber. Its not an acceptable excuse to say your car broke down after being in the job a week.

If you also start at 7am and they haven’t seen your message how are they meant to arrange cover also?

WiggleSquiggle · 07/10/2020 18:24

Do you not get a courtesy car when you break down on your insurance? Personally I wouldn’t be spending more than I earn in a day to get there and back, unless I really loved my job.

Original poster
whatsfordinneer · 07/10/2020 18:25

@Dyrne we share a car he's injured at the moment so he's not working and has been staying home with the kids.

@speakout had a look earlier cheapest was £40 and I needed a deposit.

MIL said I could borrow her car but she need it's back by 12 and I wouldn't get to hers in time.

OP posts:
MintyMabel · 07/10/2020 18:25

If it was an office job and I wouldn’t be missed fair enough, but if you work in a shop that means a rota and not going in causes them problems.

What kind of company has a work App that you download in the first week but doesn’t give you contact details for where you work?

Original poster
whatsfordinneer · 07/10/2020 18:25

Manager has just emailed me back she said it's fine.

Thank god Grin

OP posts:
U2HasTheEdge · 07/10/2020 18:25

@AllTheUserNamesAreTaken

I think you should have gone to work by bus/train/taxi/Uber, even if it meant a lot of faff and a lot of expense. It’s your first day - nothing much short of hospitalisation of you or your child should keep you away from first day in a new job
It isn't her first day.

These things happen OP. Where I work we would understand and know how rubbish you are likely to feel about that.

Hopefully your boss is understanding. Shit happens.

HowFastIsTooFast · 07/10/2020 18:27

Unless you can have phone them today and clear it (if it's a business they must have a phone number on google?!?) then you need to suck it up and get an Uber OP.

At my place unless the situation is an utter dire emergency we're in trouble for doing anything other than phone in. No texts, no emails, we have to pick up the phone and call our line manager before the time we're due to start, and that applies to those with years of service and built up trust. A new starter who didn't make the utmost effort to advise in advance would probably be asked not to come back.

MintyMabel · 07/10/2020 18:30

Do you not get a courtesy car when you break down on your insurance?

You don’t go through insurance when you break down.

MoodShiteing · 07/10/2020 18:31

Asking to swap to a later shift as opposed to asking for a holiday might be better.

I can't see how this happened at 6am but you've not found a way to actually get in touch directly with your workplace - you say it's a shop so surely there's a number on google or something?

I also don't see how a sick child is a better reason than your car breaking down, neither can be helped or predicted.

It is what it is OP, you can't help what happened to the car but it doesn't sound like you've made much of an effort in terms of trying to get to work/notify someone properly.

notacooldad · 07/10/2020 18:32

Sorry, I think you really should have got a taxi ... that would definitely raise eyebrows where I work!
It wouldn't where I work. Our manager knows shit happens sometimes and would give us options ( unpaid leave, make the time up etc)
Not all work places are nose to ground ,stuck in some bygone era where you are treated with contempt if a problem occurs. Some managers are actually human and understand!

Dyrne · 07/10/2020 18:32

@whatsfordinneer

Manager has just emailed me back she said it's fine.

Thank god Grin

That’s great! Just be suitably grovelling and explain how you’re acting to get the car fixed ASAP etc.

And maybe get your managers number and find out the procedure for last minute emergencies Grin

AllDayHappyHour · 07/10/2020 18:54

I'd do your best to actually talk to someone that you won't be there tomorrow as just requesting it on the app isn't good practice. What does your contract or handbook say about who to contact if your off sick? You can use that same process to contact someone.

AllDayHappyHour · 07/10/2020 18:54

Ok just saw your update! Great news!

chrisski33 · 07/10/2020 19:00

Lot of judgemental comments on here but unexpected from here tbh. Sh!t happens and you broke down and you were honets which is good unlike your OH suggestion of lying.
Tbh sounds like it isnt a high powered job so probably not earning enough to warrant forking out alot of money on an uber. Making moving on look at cycling if its not far? (Queue the anti cycling comments).
My new owners use a rota app and its useless however i have contacts im able to call.

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