To think my colleagues are been a bit nasty

[user625162733]

I'm not sure if I am been oversensitive (hormonal at the moment). I went back to work recently after been off sick for 18 months, obviously a lot changed at work in that time with the pandemic and also a lot of staff have left.
Due to treatment I received I get tired easily in the afternoon so I have requested to work half days (mornings). All the other staff work full days, so because of me only doing half days I don't work weekends at the moment.
One member of staff has a problem with me not working weekends and keeps saying things like I'm happy to do my share of weekends, all staff should be doing weekends are working till the end of shifts.
Last week a colleague asked me to do a job and I explained I couldn't due to damage in my arm after my operation and that i find doing repetitive work with that arm painful. She looked at me in a shocked way, as if I shouldn't have said that I couldn't do it and just get on with it.
I feel so unhappy at the moment and so useless 😩

[MissyB1]

@Ownerofmultiplechimps
Yes the lack of empathy and understanding is depressing.

[rachelstriffle]

It's all down to very bad management, it has nothing to do with the colleagues - or the OP.

Someone should just organise the appropriate cover, either with temps, contractors or permanent employees. There should be absolutely no difference in workload, shifts, calls or weekend demands for the team when an employee has long-term sickness.

[ivfgottwins]

so the op's employer should have abandoned them the minute they new the impact could potentially have long term effects/been classed as a disability?

There is a difference between long term sick and long term disability. We don't know in OPs case which it is other than reference to feeling tired in the afternoons.

[2bazookas]

Speak to HR and ask them to clarify to co-workers that you are now working part time for medical reasons,, while you recover form major surgery/treatment.

Also, HR needs to emphasise to other employees, the consequences of unlawful discrimination against people with disabilities.

[LateAtTate]

@rachelstriffle come to think of it since the OP’s pay covers weekends what’s wrong with having OP work half the weekends and another colleague work another half?
Also forgot to answer the actual question YANBU OP
Do your colleagues think you should either be fired or work till you drop to the floor? Maybe worth asking them that to their face the next time they make a mean remark

[rachelstriffle]

come to think of it since the OP’s pay covers weekends what’s wrong with having OP work half the weekends and another colleague work another half?

If that counts as the weekend the colleague is due to work weekend, nothing wrong.

If that adds to the colleague's workload, everything wrong!
No one wants to swap a day off for half a day at work.

Do your colleagues think you should either be fired or work till you drop to the floor? Maybe worth asking them that to their face the next time they make a mean remark
as long as you are prepared to get a truthful answer
Not everybody is diplomatic!

[me4real]

It's all down to very bad management, it has nothing to do with the colleagues

Some people are just prejudiced against people with disabilities. Whatever management did, these ableist colleagues might still think OP is being slack.

There is a difference between long term sick and long term disability. We don't know in OPs case which it is other than reference to feeling tired in the afternoons.

OP also mentioned she has some issues with her arms. I would say if an illness has gone on long enough and/or limits what the person is able to do markedly, then it is a disability.

come to think of it since the OP’s pay covers weekends what’s wrong with having OP work half the weekends and another colleague work another half?

@LateAtTate OP has said that for some reason her employers don't want to do that, they want people who are going to do the whole day at weekends.

Do your colleagues think you should either be fired or work till you drop to the floor? Maybe worth asking them that to their face the next time they make a mean remark

as long as you are prepared to get a truthful answer. Not everybody is diplomatic!

If anyone says they think OP should be sacked because she has a disability, or should work until she collapsed/without her disability being considered, that would definitely be grounds for a disciplinary.

[OrchidLass]

@GreyhoundG1rl

Yeah there is resentment about the workload whilst I was off. They did get cover when I was off sick but it was after 9 months and by then staff had started to think about leaving due to been short staffed during the pandemic.
And then you come back on four mornings per week. It's hardly surprising they're sick of it.

How supportive of you.

Thank god by work colleagues weren't like this when I went back after by cancer treatment. They were helpful, supportive and generally lovely when I went back.

[PearlclutchersInc]

They're gits and so are some people on here too. The majority would take everything they could and more given half the chance. If the git-ishness continues start to keep notes and speak to your line manager.

Just hang in there, dont overdo it and hope you recover fully soon (and if that's not on the cards, too bad for the rest of them)

[Crappyfridays7]

You really can’t win, people moan about you claiming disability benefits and not being able to work but when you try to work you’re a slacker and should be sacked!.

I’m a nurse and just about to go back after having serious bowel issues and being off months, I don’t even know if I’ll manage to get back what I was or keep my job. I have kids and bills, do people think this is a choice? It’s fun to only be able to work part time and maybe not manage some of their job then feel crap because people think you’re lazy etc? Then you’re on benefits and called lazy then too?...I think those who can get back to work should and it’s up to management what your hours and adjustments are - I go back 4 hours a week and I don’t even know if that’s going to work abs already worrying about it and what people will say etc.

I do hope the negative unkind people on here never find themselves or a family member with a long term illness which affects their job. Op speak to your line manager about it see what can be done to stop people being unkind, hope things improve soon you’ve done well to get back to work after such a long absence no doubt after half pay/no pay -

[IntermittentParps]

YANBU and your colleagues are arseholes.
Talk to your manager. Tell them every instance so far of these comments and behaviours. If they're worth their salt they will basically say 'don't worry about it a minute more' and then go and tear the others a new one make sure the others are crystal clear about the work situation and how they need to behave towards you.
If your manager is a bit shit then you may need to prompt them: tell them that if you get any further comments like 'all staff should be doing weekends', you will direct the colleague to speak to them to have it explained. And as for requests for you to do things you can't, the manager needs to explain to all staff what they may and may not ask or expect you to do, and again, if colleagues come to you direct with requests for you to do things you can't, you'll redirect them to the manager.

You are not useless.

[LizzieW1969]

I'm sure they wouldnt rather swap with you and take on your illness.

^This with bells on. It’s completely soul destroying to develop a long-term illness and disability when you were previously in good health.

[Ownerofmultiplechimps]

@ivfgottwins some situations can be both actually, it’s not always one or the other. Op did also mention about issues with her arms following an operation, given it’s mentioned by the op we can assume related to the illness & as what @me4real states above if an illness or the effects of are limiting your abilities long term then it is a disability.

[HeckyPeck]

One member of staff has a problem with me not working weekends and keeps saying things like I'm happy to do my share of weekends, all staff should be doing weekends are working till the end of shifts.

I would talk to my manager and ask them to speak to this employee.

Otherwise next time they said that I'd reply and say everyone who is paid to work weekends and to the end of their shift does so I don't know what you mean?

[looptheloopinahulahoop]

The OP is working part-time and presumably being paid for part-tine hours, so why does anyone else care?

Such unsupportive colleagues. I think people sometimes think that if you work part-time you are being paid a full-time salary. They need to be educated.