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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Work colleague rant

45 replies

LetsTalkAboutBoris · 28/01/2021 18:59

I just need to rant here because it's really starting to irk me.

I work with two other people. That's it. And because of the pandemic our hours have been cut slightly and in theory, our duties have also been cut. We have a very short time to do our work in. Imo, it's not actually enough time now they've reduce the hours because although some duties have been cut, not enough to align with the reduction in hours. So that's one issue to start with.

The second is my colleagues, they take far too long to carry out each task. We need to do each task as quickly as possible to ensure it all gets done but they don't seem bothered about finishing in time and take things really slowly. To make up for this, I run myself ragged the entire time, doing things at lightening speed. We finish on average fifteen minutes late every day. If I didn't rush around at lightening speed, it would be even later than this. They also continue to do some duties that we don't actually need to do anymore which also adds extra time.

I know plenty on Mumsnet claim they work over their designated hours and fifteen minutes is nothing but for me, over the course of a week that's an entire extra shift in time that I'm not getting paid for and at minimum wage it makes all the difference.

To add another layer, my two colleagues work at a different site. There's supposed to be two of us at each site but my colleague left without notice one day so for the time being they've merged the three of us to work over the two sites together so that's already created a them v me situation which is bloody ridiculous but that's apparently how it is.

I also had to have several months off due to illness and I feel like this might have exacerbated this apparent divide between us. I feel like I can't really say anything to management because it'll end up being my word against theirs.

It's just all very frustrating. So AIBU to feel like this?

OP posts:
zombieaccount · 28/01/2021 19:59

Do the hour they are paying you for, then leave. They can not ask you to work unpaid on minimum wage.

TheresALight · 28/01/2021 20:02

Sorry to be dense but if you are cleaning at a different site then how can you also be helping the other 2 with their site? Can't you finish yours on time and leave them to theirs?

ElizaLaLa · 28/01/2021 20:03

Sorry but working an extra 15 minutes is not a big deal at all by any standard. Also, just tell your colleague they need to be faster

It is when you are on min.wage and would be docked or sacked if you were 15mins late every day.

LetsTalkAboutBoris · 28/01/2021 20:04

@TheresALight No, all three of us clean both sites together. We do my site together and then we go and do their site together.

OP posts:
ElizaLaLa · 28/01/2021 20:05

Ask the manager to allocate each of you certain areas that you are each responsible for. That way those two will be shown up as under performing and you will get your area done and leave on time.

YesMeLady · 28/01/2021 20:07

I would ask to work alone on your own site and let the other two work together at their site, surely time travelling between the 2 sites just wastes time, I wouldnt bother working for someone who cared so little about their staff, can you look for another job or do agency work.

LetsTalkAboutBoris · 28/01/2021 20:10

I'd love to just go back to cleaning my site but apparently we aren't allowed to work alone and they won't employ an additional colleague for my site until our hours are upped again.

OP posts:
LetsTalkAboutBoris · 28/01/2021 20:10

Another job would be great but not really an option sadly.

OP posts:
ginandbearit · 28/01/2021 20:20

A salutary illustration of the brutal realities of minimum wage jobs let alone zero hours ones for the all the salaried professionals on here who adore presenteeism .

toocold54 · 28/01/2021 20:26

Do you think they are doing it out of protest to the boss as their hours have been cut?

I would say to them you have somewhere to go after your finish time and then leave - if they want to report you you can’t get in trouble for doing your contracted hours.

There are some jobs which you are expected to put in extra time - this isn’t one of them.
Most of the cleaners I know have other jobs to get to or childcare so don’t feel bad that you leave on time.

CSIblonde · 28/01/2021 20:29

Can't you just say to them that if they stopped doing the things you don't need to do any more, you could all finish on time? And why do stuff that doesn't need doing anyway? Madness. Ask your Manager why you're doing stuff that doesn't need doing if they're arsey. It's a waste of time, labour & resources. FWIW I only have one speed a work, I feel compelled to go as fast as I can. I'm just weird like that , even with non work tasks.. However not everyone does & what i consider snails pace often seems a norm. ( I contract so used to seeing diff industries & work environments ).

nanbread · 28/01/2021 20:34

Speak to your manager and explain the job is taking an extra 15 mins every time, they are getting 45 mins worth of cleaning for free every shift. That's a lot.

Most domestic cleaners get more than min wage, round here is £10-17 an hour. It sounds like you have a good work ethic, could you start looking at new cleaning companies or going self employed? I know it's not an ideal time to be looking, but for the future.

BlowDryRat · 28/01/2021 20:46

I guessed as I worked as a cleaner for a couple of years. Just go, OP. If your colleagues want to stay longer to do unpaid work then let them. Just make sure you document/photo what you've done so you have evidence that you've done your fair share or more.

While that happens, look for another job (I know it's hard) or set up on your own (maybe after covid). Diligent, efficient cleaners are in high demand and get paid more than NMW.

LetsTalkAboutBoris · 28/01/2021 21:21

Perhaps I'll call up tomorrow and just explain that it's taking fifteen minutes longer and see what they say.

I really would like another job but it's never that simple is it. I mean who really wants to work only one hour a day for a grand total of £6.54?! 🤣

OP posts:
LetsTalkAboutBoris · 29/01/2021 18:49

Welcome to the world of Minimum Wage working. I got to work today, typically 8 minutes late for the first time ever, and the supervisor was there. The client has complained about our mopping. That's the only time we see supervisor, when there's been a complaint. I got told I was mopping incorrectly, apparently my colleague told the supervisor I don't Mop in the right way. I then tried to broach the subject of working fifteen minutes later every day and working for less than min wage because of it and the supervisor tried to say it was my own fault for getting in to work late! I said this was the first time it had ever happened so this wasn't the reason at all. Supervisor gave some waffle about possibly speaking to the client about it but I was also told, they'd rather sack us all than lose the client. I've told my colleagues now I'll be leaving on time from now on and if the company want to sack me then whatever.

OP posts:
livefornaps · 29/01/2021 18:53

Fucking hell that's awful

MaelyssQ · 29/01/2021 18:56

Oh my God you really need to find another job. That sounds horrendous.

LetsTalkAboutBoris · 29/01/2021 19:07

Yep, it's pretty shit. Happy Friday. Ha. Ha.

OP posts:
MaelyssQ · 29/01/2021 19:10

I think you should do as pp have suggested. Set up on your own and clean people's houses. You'll get more than minimum wage and you can pick your own clients. If someone is an arse, tell them to find another cleaner.

LetsTalkAboutBoris · 29/01/2021 20:09

I'm not sure about that tbh. I don't think that would work sadly.

OP posts:
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