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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Would you leave this job?

21 replies

Foodlover12 · 13/10/2021 14:18

Been there almost 3 months, barely a day goes by when they don’t ring to ask you to do overtime.
I have just been off on annual leave for a few days and I was contacted by them almost every day by different office staff, even though they knew I was off, asking if I can come in during my annual leave and they will give me alternative days off.

I said no, and apparently they have tried the same thing with another colleague who’s off.

There is a particular office staff member who will literally call 7 times in a row before you answer.

I’m the only current full-time staff member as the others have children or other commitments, but I’m sick of constantly being asked to do more. It’s a zero hours contract, but part of me worries that if I say no every time they will start giving me less hours.

They have recently employed two new staff, but one has rang in sick twice despite only being here 2 weeks, and the other keeps taking days off after being here for just over a month.
It’s annoying that they keep such unreliable people and that it falls onto me and others if they don’t want to come in. They are so short-staffed it’s unreal.

The other day I wasn’t meant to be in until 2pm, but they called me 4 times at 7:30am to ask if I could work.
I really like the work itself, just sick of the constant messaging. They ring both my personal and work number so feels like there’s no escape.

I’ve seen another company that pay almost £1 more an hour than mine does. I’m tempted to apply, but worried it will just be the same thing that I experience now.

OP posts:
Foodlover12 · 13/10/2021 14:22

Last month, I worked an average of 52 hours a week

OP posts:
Armychefbethebest · 13/10/2021 14:24

Is it care work op ? X

Foodlover12 · 13/10/2021 14:25

Yes home care

OP posts:
ExceptionalAssurance · 13/10/2021 14:25

Maybe go to the other company, don't give them your real phone number and just get a spare SIM for an old number. Then only have it switched on in work hours and turn it on every evening or whatever just to check.

Foodlover12 · 13/10/2021 14:27

I might just have to do that. You feel like you can’t relax or enjoy your time off because they’re always ringing. They’re so short staffed atm that they’re sending office staff out instead

OP posts:
Walkingriver · 13/10/2021 14:28

Apply for the other job.

Their lack of organisation for staff rota’s and covering sick leave etc is not your concern. They can ring once to see if you can do more hours but to repeatedly ring in one day is harassment and I would not be impressed.

PorkTheDork · 13/10/2021 14:30

You posted about this last week. Didn't those responses help?

CrazyCatLover · 13/10/2021 14:31

Their staffing issues is not your problem. You did the right thing by not going in. You don’t get paid to be on call so tough.

Mackerson · 13/10/2021 14:31

That's an awful situation to be in, especially in that they call you when you're on annual leave. That is totally unacceptable. Could you leave written instructions for them not to contact you? I'd definitely consider moving. Even if the conditions are the same, they wouldn't/couldn't be worse and you'd at least be a pound an hour better off.

However, I recently stated on here that I was fed up covering for a colleague who kept going off to look after her sick child, and I was told that my attitude was disgraceful and I 'was shitting on them'...I guess because I was resentful doing 20% extra work for no pay. I think posters thought I should be happy to do the extra work, I don't know. Anyway, hope you get better responses than I did.

Armychefbethebest · 13/10/2021 14:31

Care work is always like this although I haven't done it myself I have worked in a few care home kitchens since leaving the poor staff were always getting called in on days off I used to in the kitchen often as well sorry not helpful I know but read so.e online reviews on the new company this may help you make a more informed decision. Sometimes you can jump from the frying pan to the fire so to speak. Good luck:)

rookiemere · 13/10/2021 15:43

I'd apply for the other job for the extra £1 per hour alone.

PumpkinPie2016 · 13/10/2021 16:56

YANBU at all. The fact that they are short staffed is not your concern. They shouldn't be ringing you on your days off. Certainly not multiple times.

I'd go for the other job.

Dixiechickonhols · 13/10/2021 17:06

Apply for other job. I’d be tempted to change number and not give it employer. It’s totally unreasonable to be repeatedly contacted when you are off. 7.39 am is awful - you could be having a lie in before late shift.
They need you more than you need then. I’d tell and email them to say please don’t contact me outside my agreed shifts. If I want extra hours I’ll call you to see if you have any hours. You are entitled to proper breaks from work.

GoWalkabout · 13/10/2021 17:37

There's a shortage so you can choose your employer I guess. Can you find anywhere with fixed hours though?

Skysblue · 13/10/2021 18:10

Leave!

Do not give next employer you real movile jumber, get a cheap pay as you go phone and turn it off when not working.

Hope478 · 13/10/2021 19:43

How are you both full time and zero hours?

Iquitit · 13/10/2021 22:09

@Hope478

How are you both full time and zero hours?
Care companies regularly give zero hours contracts, which means although currently working ft hours (and hounding for more), that's not guaranteed, if they get a couple more employees her hours will fall to whatever they want to give her. If a service user doesn't need the service any more, OP loses those hours. Zero hours contracts guarantee just that, zero hours, no matter what you regularly work.
addictedtotheflats · 13/10/2021 22:11

I work NHS and we get bombarded with overtime and bank requests daily. I ignore them all

Foodlover12 · 14/10/2021 21:21

They have put me to finish between 8pm and 9pm on the rota for 6 nights in a row next week, that’s ridiculous. Today I worked from 6:45am-7:30pm without a proper break. I’m sick of having to pick up the slack of the other staff who continuously ring in sick

OP posts:
Dixiechickonhols · 14/10/2021 22:32

You’ll easily get another care job OP. You don’t have to put up with it. Carers are in short supply hence trying to get you to work all these hours. Good luck.

DelphiniumBlue · 14/10/2021 22:47

Say no. Tell them not to ring you before a time that is acceptable to you. Tell them they are harrassing you and that you will leave unless they stop. Tell them you will work x number of hours per day, that you need and are entitled to breaks, and that it would be great if they can match the wages offered by the other place.
Care workers are in huge demand. You have a lot of leverage. You don't have to work any more than you want to . They won't sack you if they are already short-staffed.
Hopefully you and other care workers will become more valued and this will be reflected in increased wages and better conditions. Don't accept poor treatment, you don't have to.

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