Colleague or managers being sneaking?

[LittleBlackSox]

Part of our job involves taking phone calls, we have a rota where at least 3 people will work until the phone lines are closed.

Colleague messaged me today to say would I mind if she didn’t do the phone lines as she has managed to get a last minute hospital appointment for a long standing health issue. If I do mind then she will try and get cover (no one is going to cover a Friday shift)

Firstly I’m not a manager and I’m the same level as her so it’s not up to me to be ok with anything she does. It’s a management issue to approve it and get cover.

Essentially no one could reasonably say no I’m not ok with you going to hospital. So she’s either done that to go to the managers and say “see the other two don’t mind me leaving” or the managers requested she do it so they wouldn’t have to bother finding cover.

Aibu to be annoyed I’ve been put in that position? Work is awful at the moment without having extra work to do because you’re short staffed.

@wheresmymojo

Honestly your issue here is that you haven't stuck to your own boundaries.

If you genuinely felt it was off then you should have said "I think the process is to raise requests like this with our line manager, hope you feel better soon"

Rather than do things you're dead set against and then feeling all passive aggressive about it.

This. It’s not her fault you can’t say no.

Omg I can’t even take my own thread seriously now I’ve read the title mistake. I’m leaving through sheer embarrassment.

I think you are being a bit harsh op. I wouldn't have taken it as you had if this was a one off request. Yes, I'm sure her going to the manager to organise is another way of doing it but if she's got a last min appointment she's probably just ensuring she finds cover herself.

How much later are you staying to answer the phone anyway?

Working as a team and being helpful to your colleague is a nice thing to do and you may need a favour in the future. You have said yes on this occasion, try to get over it

If you don’t want to do it, just say no?

How much actual extra work is it for you?

It doesn't really come across like you have any empathy or team spirit, to me. Unless she does this all the time or you think she would say no if the roles were reversed, then I'd generally have no issue picking up the slack for a colleague on the basis that they will do it for me next time.

The 'I dont need to know any personal circumstances of hers'...I think its polite and completely normal to explain the reason if you're asking someone to do you a favour at short notice.

Also you simply she is being manipulative by mentioning hospital...again I think that's just being honest.

Because it’s not my job. I am in no position of power to grant time off for anyone. If I needed time off for a hospital appointment I just go to my manager, I don’t involve other people because why would I?

But people on this thread are genuinely saying they approach all their colleagues in their team at the same level first, discuss their health concerns and then ask them if they are ok with you going to a hospital appointment? None of you just speak to your manager in private? Ok ...

Maybe next time I have a smear test I should ask the security guard if he’s ok with me having time off for that. Won’t even mention it to my manager.

It’s also got nothing to do with team spirit or doing favours for people. People really think me saying no would make her call the hospital and say “hello my work colleague said no I’m afraid so I’ll have to rearrange”

I'm with you OP. If I need time off, I ask a manager, I don't approach a colleague to cover as a favour, it is unprofessional.

I’m doing the same shift. So I’m in work regardless of whether she’s there or not.

So what is the issue? You’re going to be there anyway.

And given the difficulty and delays in getting hospital treatment, wouldn’t it be kind to say something like:
“Happy to cover you, as long as it’s okayed with our manager.”

Or ask your manager?

I bet you're a bundle of joy in the office

Actually, I'm wondering if the managers said they'd only approve time off if it's OK with the rest of you or she arranges cover.

Have encountered this before. Passing the buck because they don't want to deal with it, or don't want to say yes but need an excuse to say no. Or trying to manage her out of the company.

Its sh**ty management of the lowest order.

Think I would have just referred her to the manager to sort this out.

@LittleBlackSox

Because it’s not my job. I am in no position of power to grant time off for anyone. If I needed time off for a hospital appointment I just go to my manager, I don’t involve other people because why would I?

But people on this thread are genuinely saying they approach all their colleagues in their team at the same level first, discuss their health concerns and then ask them if they are ok with you going to a hospital appointment? None of you just speak to your manager in private? Ok ...

Maybe next time I have a smear test I should ask the security guard if he’s ok with me having time off for that. Won’t even mention it to my manager.

It’s also got nothing to do with team spirit or doing favours for people. People really think me saying no would make her call the hospital and say “hello my work colleague said no I’m afraid so I’ll have to rearrange”

Why take it to the extreme of asking the security guard about a smear test? I know you're not serious, but you're getting unnecessarily annoyed by something that could be easily solved if you developed assertiveness. So just tell her to raise it with the manager first and then let you know the plan.

I don't think colleague suggested you're in a "postion of power" ... and there's no need to discuss your smear test with security ffs.

She's just courteously asking if you're ok with this, and explaining why.

Maybe she's more likely to get approved for the time off if she can confirm that someone can cover for her - i.e. it's not going to be a headache for management.

Live and let live?

I'm so confused
Are you cross because you will have to work longer or take more calls?

This sounds like your making an issue out of a total non event. Myself and colleagues will often ask each other to cover phones if we have to pop out the office for a bit, really don’t see the issue and why it would need manager approval.

"Sure, no problem for me, hope ManagerName will give you the time off when you put in the request!"

It's not for you to be approving her time off work, just refer her to her manager. Job done!

@Sooodone

This sounds like your making an issue out of a total non event. Myself and colleagues will often ask each other to cover phones if we have to pop out the office for a bit, really don’t see the issue and why it would need manager approval.

Assuming it would need a manager to approve as OP said people work on a rota.

In my work place if you didn’t turn up for the hours you were contracted to work I don’t think my manager would be impressed.

@Sooodone

This sounds like your making an issue out of a total non event. Myself and colleagues will often ask each other to cover phones if we have to pop out the office for a bit, really don’t see the issue and why it would need manager approval.

Are you ok hun? If your work allows you to leave early without permission or consequences then ok. But in my workplace I would get into trouble for that. Weird right?

Also there’s no asking of me to cover her shift. Her and me are suppose to do the exact same hours tomorrow. Management need to ensure adequate cover if there are unforeseen events.

@lostitall

I'm so confused Are you cross because you will have to work longer or take more calls?

I’m annoyed because it requires a minimum of 3 people to manage the workload. Her leaving and having no cover isn’t an issue that should be on me to just put up with.

It’s for her to agree with her manager and the manager to find cover.

Your question was whether you were being unreasonable to be annoyed - some people think you are and some people think you aren't but you seem annoyed with people who think the former? It depends so much on the type of job role, company culture, track record of the colleague in question etc.

It’s not that, I think it’s people misunderstanding. Like genuinely questioning why a manager would need to agree to someone not working the hours they are suppose to

Or that I need to do her a favour. We are told we are required to get cover if we are unable to do a specific shift. I appreciate hers was late minute but you don’t guilt trip people. You figure it out with management.

It's not your problem. Just take the calls you can and finish at your allotted time

Ah, hang on. So you and she are both meant to be there, at the same time? She's not asking you to be there instead of her?? That's a different thing alright. I thought she was asking you to cover for her. But she's talking about leaving 2 people to do the job of 3 people, and asking you if you're ok with that?

Hmm. That's different alright.

@WhitePhantom

Ah, hang on. So you and she are both meant to be there, at the same time? She's not asking you to be there instead of her?? That's a different thing alright. I thought she was asking you to cover for her. But she's talking about leaving 2 people to do the job of 3 people, and asking you if you're ok with that?

Hmm. That's different alright.

Yes exactly that. Guessing I explained myself terribly.