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AIBU?

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Original poster

to be utterly fed up of "because of pandemic" being used as an excuse..

309 replies

5foot5 · 05/05/2021 12:56

..for piss-poor service. Particularly on call centres and the like.

Granted in the early stages I can see it would have an impact - people off sick or self-isolating. Initially also I suppose there was some set-up to get people working efficiently from home. But, come on, it has been over a year. Surely things should be sorted by now?

I have just spent 45 minutes of my lunch hour waiting for my call to be taken. And yes I do know that some of my questions might be answered on the web-site FAQ and yes I know that I can manage my account on-line for some things. But not this thing. Even though they gave me four choices of musical style to listen to while I am waiting it doesn't help. Of course I wasn't arsey with the person who eventually answered as it's not his fault (I assume) but I do wonder if some companies are now using this excuse to cut down on staff and explain the long waits away on "unprecedented" circumstances.

DH is in a similar position. He sent a query about something to one of his pension funds. February was when he made the original query. He got the "because of difficult times" excuse and was told it would be in excess of 20 working days before they they could reply. More than 6 weeks later and no response he chased it. Then he was told another 10 days. Of course no joy so queries again and now it is 5-10 days. FFS 3 months to answer what he thought was a simple query Angry

Just how long I wonder are companies going to keep hiding behind the pandemic excuse

OP posts:
BrightYellowDaffodil · 08/05/2021 14:52

@Tzimi I think some councils etc are thoroughly enjoying the power.

Anon778833 · 08/05/2021 15:12

Today, I went to the post office and the long queue standing behind me were told that they would not be served. Because the cashier HAS to close early today. Not because of an emergency you understand. But because she had to get her bloody hair done(!)

Blowingagale · 08/05/2021 15:28

@SugarbabyMilly

Today, I went to the post office and the long queue standing behind me were told that they would not be served. Because the cashier HAS to close early today. Not because of an emergency you understand. But because she had to get her bloody hair done(!)
If this person is self employed fair enough to be angry.

If the cashier is an employee then it means that the employer has not recruited enough staff. This employee either always leaves at that time or has booked leave. The employer has not bothered to arrange cover/have enough staff. Doesn’t matter whether they have a haircut, hospital appointment or picking up their kids from school they needed to leave on time.

Karlkennedyslovechild · 08/05/2021 15:42

The NHS has been underfunded for a decade. We’ve got far less doctors and hospital beds per capita compared to similar countries. Now that the system has been through a period of extreme stress it’s buckled. I completely agree that we need to start moving back to more f2f and less telephone appointments but do people really think that everyone is sitting around twiddling their thumbs?! If the wait is that long for an appointment it means all the other appointments before then are booked!!

Tzimi · 08/05/2021 16:07

[quote BrightYellowDaffodil]@Tzimi I think some councils etc are thoroughly enjoying the power.[/quote]
You've got a point there! I remember in the beginning of all this nonsense, I went to B&Q, and they had a queuing system which snaked around. As there was no-one else waiting, I went straight to the front of the queue. But oh no, the teenager in charge insisted that I take the long way, in case the other sheep might be tempted to defy the rules! I just said forget it, & went home in disgust. There are too many little Hitlers who get a bit of power & get drunk with it!

Anon778833 · 09/05/2021 01:03

If this person is self employed fair enough to be angry.

If the cashier is an employee then it means that the employer has not recruited enough staff. This employee either always leaves at that time or has booked leave. The employer has not bothered to arrange cover/have enough staff. Doesn’t matter whether they have a haircut, hospital appointment or picking up their kids from school they needed to leave on time.

I don’t think any of that is relevant. The point of the matter is that Post Office should have staff to run it for the times that it’s advertised as being open. Being able to use it is a necessity, not a luxury.

Anon778833 · 09/05/2021 01:07

This is an example of what I mean. British people seem to be getting lazier and don’t care. It always a ‘tough - not my problem’ attitude.

I worked in a busy spa. Sometimes 7 days in a row and I often wasn’t allowed to take leave because it would have meant that my clients weren’t covered for the times my services were advertised. And this mattered to me as well because I did not want to let them down!

Tiktokersmiracle · 09/05/2021 07:56

@Tzimi there is an Aldi close to me that I will not go to ever again, I actively go to one further out where the staff are far friendlier.
Went when the first lockdown had been relaxed, pubs were open with distancing etc
The store wasn't busy, not even slightly. But this self appointed door man had decided to run customers getting in like an exclusive nightclub.
I was wearing a mask from March 2020, purely because a family member in the NHS and a friend in Italy advised me to, DS has lung conditions so I wanted to do what I could to avoid it. Both said it's breathing in droplets

Anyway, I walk to the door, no queue, could see about 4 people in the store. Had put mask on as I walked across the car park.

He literally sticks a big hand up at my face. "WAIT!"
So I stop or his hand is literally going to connect with my face. I politely asked "Is there an issue?"
"Why are you wearing a mask? Are you currently suffering from Covid 19? You need to go somewhat else, you could cause an outbreak, I should report you".
So I assured him that no, I didn't have it but liked to take the precaution of wearing a mask due to my son's health. I then said, can I come in please.

I felt ridiculous even asking permission to do my bloody weekly shop.

"I need your name and address. I've got your numberplate. I think you're lying. I don't think you should be here".

I looked at him. Took my mask off. Told him, well sod your shop then. Said he wasn't getting my details, he is a bloody shop assistant with illusions of grandeur, not a police officer.

He again said he wanted my name and he will report me to police. He says he can do it via my numberplate.

I walked back to my car, giving him the finger because he was being a twat.

Went to the other store, they let me straight in, no comments at all.

When I told the lady serving me what had happened she said "oh god yeah, we've heard, we have a fair few come here instead now. He won't report you he's a mug".

It's been wonderful for all those who feel affronted by life to pick on others.

Tzimi · 09/05/2021 08:18

[quote Tiktokersmiracle]@Tzimi there is an Aldi close to me that I will not go to ever again, I actively go to one further out where the staff are far friendlier.
Went when the first lockdown had been relaxed, pubs were open with distancing etc
The store wasn't busy, not even slightly. But this self appointed door man had decided to run customers getting in like an exclusive nightclub.
I was wearing a mask from March 2020, purely because a family member in the NHS and a friend in Italy advised me to, DS has lung conditions so I wanted to do what I could to avoid it. Both said it's breathing in droplets

Anyway, I walk to the door, no queue, could see about 4 people in the store. Had put mask on as I walked across the car park.

He literally sticks a big hand up at my face. "WAIT!"
So I stop or his hand is literally going to connect with my face. I politely asked "Is there an issue?"
"Why are you wearing a mask? Are you currently suffering from Covid 19? You need to go somewhat else, you could cause an outbreak, I should report you".
So I assured him that no, I didn't have it but liked to take the precaution of wearing a mask due to my son's health. I then said, can I come in please.

I felt ridiculous even asking permission to do my bloody weekly shop.

"I need your name and address. I've got your numberplate. I think you're lying. I don't think you should be here".

I looked at him. Took my mask off. Told him, well sod your shop then. Said he wasn't getting my details, he is a bloody shop assistant with illusions of grandeur, not a police officer.

He again said he wanted my name and he will report me to police. He says he can do it via my numberplate.

I walked back to my car, giving him the finger because he was being a twat.

Went to the other store, they let me straight in, no comments at all.

When I told the lady serving me what had happened she said "oh god yeah, we've heard, we have a fair few come here instead now. He won't report you he's a mug".

It's been wonderful for all those who feel affronted by life to pick on others.[/quote]
So why didn't they get rid of this guy if they knew about him? It can't have been good for business to have someone like that at the door.

ZigZagIntoTheBlue · 09/05/2021 08:35

YES! Bloody HSBC opening hours are reduced and they're not open on weekends, that's really pissed me off a year on!

Thewinterofdiscontent · 09/05/2021 08:36

@Tiktokersmiracle Great come back from you! The the you’re a shop assistant not a police officer is brilliant. I’d have slunk off and passive aggressively complained to the shop later.

I’m trying to get my son driving lessons and the self employed instructor s are all over it. They are massively busy with long waiting lists but all get back to me, keep me informed and are trying hard. Meanwhile trying to get through to my broadband provider is like getting into Oxbridge.

The disparity between services is grating. Some shops kept you all in, sone still count you in, some pubs are waitress service, some are online ordering only and the staff can get really shirty if you get their system wrong. Annoying.

Kazzyhoward · 09/05/2021 08:48

@Tzimi You've got a point there! I remember in the beginning of all this nonsense, I went to B&Q, and they had a queuing system which snaked around. As there was no-one else waiting, I went straight to the front of the queue. But oh no, the teenager in charge insisted that I take the long way, in case the other sheep might be tempted to defy the rules! I just said forget it, & went home in disgust. There are too many little Hitlers who get a bit of power & get drunk with it!

Exactly the same happened to my son in his Uni's library. Lots of signage indicating one way system, lots of barriers, etc that take you right around before coming back to the "reception" desk which is at the end of it by the exit. (Not sure why they have the reception desk at the exit rather than the entrance!). He got half way to the far end when he realised there was no one else lurking in corners etc so ducked under a barrier - the receptionist started screaming at him to follow the system!

Same happened with me at our hospital out patient department - they have one of those airport security style zig-zag barrier systems that snakes throughout what used to be the seating/waiting area - about 10 rows of zig-zagging. I went in and again, literally, no one waiting at all, so I ducked under to get straight to the receptionist desk and one of the receptionists had a right go at me, so I had a right go back at her saying how stupid it was when there was no one there. She relented and I was finally deemed worthy enough to get through to the holding area outside the consulting rooms, which was a tiny space, literally jam packed with people waiting for their appointments with no way on Earth to social distance as the area was tiny. So, basically, the took away quite a large waiting area and put unnecessary barriers in place to block it up and by doing so, they created an unsafe crowded waiting area. I gave both barrels to the consultant when I finally saw him about how illogical and unsafe it was. He fully agreed and said he'd pass on my comments!

Kazzyhoward · 09/05/2021 08:58

@LockedFarAway

YANBU. I wonder what their excuse will be come 21 June!
And Uni's are still planning what they call "blended learning" from September onwards, i.e. lectures online rather than in lecture theatres. Apparently, it's "unfair" if overseas students can't get back into the UK to have the same "experience" as UK students, so everyone has to have the same "experience", even if it's a crap one.

At my son's Uni, the staff/lecturers were told this time last year not to plan to be on campus (except those who needed to be there for practicals/labs etc) for this entire academic year. So, they've entire buildings/blocks (humanities as an example) that have been closed and bolted all year, just gathering dust. That goes far beyond lame excuses of social distancing etc.

It seems to have all been a great experiment in organisations (businesses and public sector/quangos etc) seeing how little "service" they can provide before people complain and walk away. I hope that the worst performers get a real kicking in the coming months and years. Unfortunately, for the likes of NHS, local councils, and other public sector quangos, the "end user" doesn't have a choice, so they'll get away with the shoddiness and poor service. Businesses are more likely to be the ones to suffer in the long run as customers are free to move to their competitors.

Tzimi · 09/05/2021 09:37

[quote Kazzyhoward]**@Tzimi* You've got a point there! I remember in the beginning of all this nonsense, I went to B&Q, and they had a queuing system which snaked around. As there was no-one else waiting, I went straight to the front of the queue. But oh no, the teenager in charge insisted that I take the long way, in case the other sheep might be tempted to defy the rules! I just said forget it, & went home in disgust. There are too many little Hitlers who get a bit of power & get drunk with it!*

Exactly the same happened to my son in his Uni's library. Lots of signage indicating one way system, lots of barriers, etc that take you right around before coming back to the "reception" desk which is at the end of it by the exit. (Not sure why they have the reception desk at the exit rather than the entrance!). He got half way to the far end when he realised there was no one else lurking in corners etc so ducked under a barrier - the receptionist started screaming at him to follow the system!

Same happened with me at our hospital out patient department - they have one of those airport security style zig-zag barrier systems that snakes throughout what used to be the seating/waiting area - about 10 rows of zig-zagging. I went in and again, literally, no one waiting at all, so I ducked under to get straight to the receptionist desk and one of the receptionists had a right go at me, so I had a right go back at her saying how stupid it was when there was no one there. She relented and I was finally deemed worthy enough to get through to the holding area outside the consulting rooms, which was a tiny space, literally jam packed with people waiting for their appointments with no way on Earth to social distance as the area was tiny. So, basically, the took away quite a large waiting area and put unnecessary barriers in place to block it up and by doing so, they created an unsafe crowded waiting area. I gave both barrels to the consultant when I finally saw him about how illogical and unsafe it was. He fully agreed and said he'd pass on my comments![/quote]
It just creates a whole load of unnecessary aggravation for everyone which distracts you from what you're trying to do. Frankly, I'm surprised so many people just comply with it all, what a load of sheep we all are...

IrmaFayLear · 09/05/2021 09:55

I got told off at the polling station on Thursday. There was a security guard, plus more and longer queue barriers than at Disneyworld. This was lunchtime, and I was the only person there. I went along the set route, and stood on the designated spot, waiting to be called. Then - aaagh, I went to the wrong booth , in spite of, as I said, not one other voter in the building. As I left - “STOP!!!” and three staff shouted at me that I was not following the exit route on the floor. So I had to retrace my steps from the door and walk on the printed footsteps out. And all this time not encountering another soul.

IrmaFayLear · 09/05/2021 10:01

@Kazzyhoward - it really is the lowest excuse to say that “others can’t have the same experience”. I saw on one of the HE threads a supposed lecturer saying how distance learning was fairer to disabled students and single mothers. It made me quite Angry because it’s patently untrue. Why would disabled students want to be stuck in their bedrooms any more than anyone else?

What the poster really meant was that it was nice and cushy for them to be rid of pesky students whilst still receiving their salary.

Catelunna · 09/05/2021 10:27

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Putitinthebin · 09/05/2021 10:46

I had to wait for 45 mins with 2 overexcited under 5s for Clarks the other day. I had booked appointments for school shoes and turned up 5 mins early. The woman wouldn't let me in and told me to come back. I came back 4 mins later and then she made me sit there for 40 mins not letting me into the child shoe area. Eventually she let me in, but no one had come out and when I got in there was no other person in there and the shop assistants were complaining about how quiet it had been that day! I predict that particular shop will be closed in 6 months.

Tzimi · 09/05/2021 11:39

@Putitinthebin

I had to wait for 45 mins with 2 overexcited under 5s for Clarks the other day. I had booked appointments for school shoes and turned up 5 mins early. The woman wouldn't let me in and told me to come back. I came back 4 mins later and then she made me sit there for 40 mins not letting me into the child shoe area. Eventually she let me in, but no one had come out and when I got in there was no other person in there and the shop assistants were complaining about how quiet it had been that day! I predict that particular shop will be closed in 6 months.
Clearly using Covid as an excuse to not serve a customer simply because she didn't feel like it.
abstractzebra · 09/05/2021 11:52

I caught the communal cleaners on a number of occasions, signing off to say they had done all the tasks but hadn't actually done any cleaning.
I made a complaint and was told that it was checked by the housing officer every week, yet I knew she had been working from home for a year and hadn't been anywhere near the building!
Then I was told that cleaning had been reduced during covid to keep contact with residents to a minimum. Other communication said it was increased. The cleaners still came round and signed off all the tasks on the sheet without doing a single task and I got charged £300 for their dishonesty! Angry
My complaint hasn't been upheld as the complaint handler didn't find any evidence, even though he's working from home in Oldham and I live on the South coast!!!!

GrannyWeatherwaxsHatpin · 09/05/2021 11:58

To be fair to universities, they’re damned if they do and damned if they don’t.

They’ve been fighting tooth and nail to allow students back on campuses, but the Govt says no. Even if they do, there’s opposition from those who say they risk “super-spreader” events where people are travelling from all over the country and mingling even within bubbles (and, while the vast majority of students abide by the rules, some don’t which causes events broken up by security/police both on and off campus).

I can’t speak for all universities but I know the ones I have dealings with are desperate to get students back and having the experience they want them to have, including F2F teaching 🙂

CirclesWithinCircles · 09/05/2021 12:59

[quote Tiktokersmiracle]@Tzimi there is an Aldi close to me that I will not go to ever again, I actively go to one further out where the staff are far friendlier.
Went when the first lockdown had been relaxed, pubs were open with distancing etc
The store wasn't busy, not even slightly. But this self appointed door man had decided to run customers getting in like an exclusive nightclub.
I was wearing a mask from March 2020, purely because a family member in the NHS and a friend in Italy advised me to, DS has lung conditions so I wanted to do what I could to avoid it. Both said it's breathing in droplets

Anyway, I walk to the door, no queue, could see about 4 people in the store. Had put mask on as I walked across the car park.

He literally sticks a big hand up at my face. "WAIT!"
So I stop or his hand is literally going to connect with my face. I politely asked "Is there an issue?"
"Why are you wearing a mask? Are you currently suffering from Covid 19? You need to go somewhat else, you could cause an outbreak, I should report you".
So I assured him that no, I didn't have it but liked to take the precaution of wearing a mask due to my son's health. I then said, can I come in please.

I felt ridiculous even asking permission to do my bloody weekly shop.

"I need your name and address. I've got your numberplate. I think you're lying. I don't think you should be here".

I looked at him. Took my mask off. Told him, well sod your shop then. Said he wasn't getting my details, he is a bloody shop assistant with illusions of grandeur, not a police officer.

He again said he wanted my name and he will report me to police. He says he can do it via my numberplate.

I walked back to my car, giving him the finger because he was being a twat.

Went to the other store, they let me straight in, no comments at all.

When I told the lady serving me what had happened she said "oh god yeah, we've heard, we have a fair few come here instead now. He won't report you he's a mug".

It's been wonderful for all those who feel affronted by life to pick on others.[/quote]
Wow. I did actually think that the lockdown rules would act as a "permit" for some men to harass women, and a lot of the reported cases of strange prosecution decisions by over-zealous police did seem to involve women. Who can forget those two women in Derbyshire having a socially distanced walk around a reservoir 5 miles from their home being accused of having an illegal picnic and then prosecuted (and thankfully having the case dropped) but there were several other examples.

Tiktokersmiracle · 09/05/2021 13:47

@CirclesWithinCircles yep
Where I am, I've actually helped a good few women or parents of teenage girls/students to appeal unfair fines.
One woman was told to get out of her car, she had been to the bottle bank, with her younger child in the car, then as the bottle bank is in the middle of a park, she took child for a brief bit of exercise round the path.
The Police waited until she got the child in the car, and was sitting in the driver's seat with the keys about to turn the engine, to pull up, from the other side of the car park, lights and sirens on. She sat still as she didn't think they were there for her, there were other cars in the car park.
Next thing she knew, two officers were screaming at her to get out the vehicle.

She said she was petrified. She got out and asked what the issue was. One officer told her they were investigating a Covid law breach.

She asked could she get her child from the car as they were absolutely screaming, what with sirens and aggressive shouting but they refused as she was "about to be arrested so they would arrange someone to collect the child"
She said at that point she was in tears herself, asking what she had done to break the rules, she had been out for about 15 minutes. They said they had seen her in the park for 2 hours and she had met up with people in the park.
This was patently not true at all.
They said as she hadn't come up on their radar before they would give her a fixed penalty notice.
She actually had to ring a mate to drive her car home as she was shaking so badly she didn't feel safe to drive. Her poor child now screams when they hear a siren outside.
There was full CCTV in the park car park so she could prove the abuse and that she had not been there as long as they said. With my help she appealed siting CCTV availability, their abuse of power and the upset caused.

They immediately tore up the fixed penalty notice

But it was a constant thing here, and 90% of the time it was directed at females, and fines were never upheld as the police acted unlawfully.

I've said it before, but there will be people who we look back on fondly and people we never trust or respect for a while to come.

Kazzyhoward · 09/05/2021 17:25

@GrannyWeatherwaxsHatpin

To be fair to universities, they’re damned if they do and damned if they don’t.

They’ve been fighting tooth and nail to allow students back on campuses, but the Govt says no. Even if they do, there’s opposition from those who say they risk “super-spreader” events where people are travelling from all over the country and mingling even within bubbles (and, while the vast majority of students abide by the rules, some don’t which causes events broken up by security/police both on and off campus).

I can’t speak for all universities but I know the ones I have dealings with are desperate to get students back and having the experience they want them to have, including F2F teaching 🙂

Whilst I agree to some extent, they've also caused problems themselves. On "moving in day" last September, my son's Uni organised new arrivals to move in over several days. I.e. College A on Saturday, College B on Sunday, etc. As soon as we heard that, we were thinking,, what the hell? On moving in day, his college was heaving - people crowding the stairs and lifts as everyone in son's building (6 floors) was moving in at the same time, social distancing impossible. Yet at the same time, the other college buildings spread over the campus were deserted. How does that help? If they really wanted to avoid it being busy, they should have had all colleges moving in one the same days, but odd numbered flats on Saturday and even numbered flats on Sunday, which would have halved the numbers of people in the stairs, lifts and corridors at the same time.
Newgirls · 09/05/2021 18:01

@GrannyWeatherwaxsHatpin

To be fair to universities, they’re damned if they do and damned if they don’t.

They’ve been fighting tooth and nail to allow students back on campuses, but the Govt says no. Even if they do, there’s opposition from those who say they risk “super-spreader” events where people are travelling from all over the country and mingling even within bubbles (and, while the vast majority of students abide by the rules, some don’t which causes events broken up by security/police both on and off campus).

I can’t speak for all universities but I know the ones I have dealings with are desperate to get students back and having the experience they want them to have, including F2F teaching 🙂

I’m not sure all are fighting tooth and nail - it seems to depend on departments and individuals at my dd uni

Let’s hope sept is much better for all students who have lost out on so much.