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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Warning for looking after my child

200 replies

WaxMeltAddict · 07/07/2021 09:08

I've tried looking online to see my rights. Basically I started a new job in May and my youngest DD's childminder has been brilliant with working around my hours to look after DD so I can work.
I'm a single mum and Wednesdays are a hit difficult and I can't start until 12 (usually start at 10.30am)
My manager is lovely and understanding but I have been threatened by the big manager about a warning due to this.
Can they give a warning because I have find childcare for 2 hours sometimes?
I'm a hard worker, I'm always on time otherwise. I just want to know where I stand

OP posts:
yacketyyak · 07/07/2021 09:33

Yabu
Your thread is entitled 'warning for looking after my child'
The warning isn't for looking after your child. It's for being significantly late on a regular basis. You aren't entitled to their flexibility and understanding, they are paying you for hours which you can't commit to.

TheGumption · 07/07/2021 09:34

Wait so you're literally just late every Wednesday and you think they should just accept it?!
I refuse to believe anyone if this stupid.

Original poster
WaxMeltAddict · 07/07/2021 09:36

Just to clear things up, I'm on a 0 hours contract. I never just don't turn up, I always keep my manager informed

OP posts:
LIZS · 07/07/2021 09:37

The issue is your poor timekeeping not what you are doing in that time. You need to find alternative childcare or agree to adjust hours so you are not working shorter than your contract. Employer is not obliged to do so and it may not suit the business.

InDogBeersIveOnlyHadOne · 07/07/2021 09:37

Yeah but you're still 2 hours late every week - are you making these hours up at other times? Have they got sufficient cover?

3scape · 07/07/2021 09:37

Zero hours. But what did you mark down as your availability?

Original poster
WaxMeltAddict · 07/07/2021 09:38

Also today is only the second time I can't get childcare until 12

OP posts:
GaspGulpScream · 07/07/2021 09:38

Unfortunately you have to march to their tune, not them to yours

Holly60 · 07/07/2021 09:39

If it’s in your contract that you have to be available from 1030 then that is what you are obliged to do. Yes you can be given a warning.

Iggly · 07/07/2021 09:40

I would find a new job if possible to be honest.

Zero hours contracts are the worst.

LIZS · 07/07/2021 09:40

How much notice did you give?

Alonelonelyloner · 07/07/2021 09:40

Sadly they are within their rights to not care about your childcare issues and give you a warning about being late. It actually doesn't matter about you telling them in advance. If you are on a zero hours contract then it should be a flexibility that benefits you as well. You need to discuss your start time with them so you don't risk losing your job, because they can sack you very easily.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 07/07/2021 09:41

Also today is only the second time I can't get childcare until 12

You’ve only been there 8 weeks. That’s 25% of the time.

Pinkdelight3 · 07/07/2021 09:41

But your working hours are from 10.30 on Weds so informing your manager doesn't get the job done. And you've barely been there a couple of months so no good will built up for these things, to them you're not a hard worker who's always on time, you're the one who's always late and seems to think it's allowed because you're a mum. Where you stand is unfortunately that you heed the warning, find childcare for that morning or find another job that you can do when you have cover. I don't see that there's any other comeback if they need you there for those hours.

Merryoldgoat · 07/07/2021 09:42

Talk about a drip feed.

Shoxfordian · 07/07/2021 09:43

It sounds like you need to agree that you start late on Wednesdays if that’s possible

Hoppinggreen · 07/07/2021 09:45

Unless there is an agreement in place that you don’t have to start until 12 on Wednesdays then of course you have to be there at the usual time.
You haven’t been there long so they can get rid of you easily. You will have to make alternative childcare arrangements or try to get the agreement in place with your employer

MindTheBumps · 07/07/2021 09:46

what job do you do that you can just turn up late. I can't imagine any job finding this acceptable at all.

As a one off now and again I could do this but I have been with this company for 17 years and have built up a great relationship here, after 8 weeks I am amazed you have dared!

Original poster
WaxMeltAddict · 07/07/2021 09:46

I was thrown in the deep end when they offered me the job and asked if I could start straight away. Which I did and went straight in. CM was good at accommodating my work hours. Because I'm on a 0 hour contract my hours were changed to go in earlier, it's literally just Wednesdays, usually I manage to find someone to look after DD so I can go in. I always keep my manager informed but this is only the second time, I don't go in late every week.
Maybe I worded the title a bit wrong so I apologise for that. I work in a school kitchen and DDs hours are secured for September so I won't have this problem again. I've done my best to accommodate the hours I am wanted to work.
I'm not unreliable, I do everything I can to get into that kitchen every day

OP posts:
BobLemon · 07/07/2021 09:46

What effect does your lateness have on others?

Does it mean that cover has to be arranged?

Do others have to pick up your slack during that time?

Do you do those hours at some other time? I suspect not if you’re 0 hours.

Original poster
WaxMeltAddict · 07/07/2021 09:48

@BobLemon

What effect does your lateness have on others?

Does it mean that cover has to be arranged?

Do others have to pick up your slack during that time?

Do you do those hours at some other time? I suspect not if you’re 0 hours.

It doesn't affect anyone, no cover needs to be arranged what so ever. This isn't something that has been happening every single Wednesday. As I said it is only the second time
OP posts:
MindTheBumps · 07/07/2021 09:48

Given the update and that schools finish in what 3 or 4 weeks and September will be fine, I would have a chat with them and see if they are willing to be flexible until then.

You cant just drop it on them on the day.

LIZS · 07/07/2021 09:49

But if you are in a school kitchen you are presumably needed to prep and service is already underway by 12. So 10:30 is the start time required.

leafinthewind · 07/07/2021 09:50

Zero hours contracts can be very handy for people who value the flexibility, but they are no good for single parents. And no-one should need 0 hours contracts to run a school kitchen FGS - it's not exactly unpredictable! The kitchen is open every day in term-time!

Original poster
WaxMeltAddict · 07/07/2021 09:51

@LIZS

But if you are in a school kitchen you are presumably needed to prep and service is already underway by 12. So 10:30 is the start time required.
Service starts at 1 at this school
OP posts:
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