This isn't fair, right?

[Tyrozet]

I work in a small team as part of a bigger organisation with lots of other sites in close vicinity.

On occassion, I have gone to work in other sites to help cover staff holidays/sickness etc. Since Covid, staffing has been alot worse and I have been required to do this more frequently along with another colleague.

I don't mind working elsewhere but it can be stressful at times if they have been short staffed and are very behind with workload and we are unfamiliar with the goings on at each site/don't know anyone etc etc.

Nobody else in our team ever offers to take a turn to go elsewhere - it always falls to myself and sometimes other colleague, but mostly me. Nobody else even gets asked.

Manager had a message yesterday saying one of the sites was really short staffed and requested our help for 3/4 days this week. Manager announced this to everyone and emphasised that it was "only fair" that everyone takes a turn. I put myself forward and went yesterday. Nobody else offered and there was stony silence. Boss didn't raise it with anyone else at the time and my other colleague also got pulled to another site for the day. We both said at the time that we would prefer not to have to do this all week and that other staff should take a turn.

End of day yesterday, both colleague and I get messages asking us to work elsewhere - I say fine, but ask why nobody else is taking a turn and am told it's too awkward for them to travel (all sites are within a 5 mile radius, some colleagues drive and there is regular bus service for those who don't).

It is in our contract that we may be required to work elsewhere on occassion - as much as I don't want to be petty and say no, I think it's shit that others aren't even being considered whilst it all falls to my colleague and I. She feels the same.

The others have also outwardly said how awful and stressful working at this specific site has been in the past (it was actually fine and they haven't been there in at least 4 years) but are happy to let me suffer it alone all week.

Manager is generally pretty good and we get along well, I don't want to make life difficult for her by refusing, and also don't think anyone should refuse what is in their contract.

Sorry that was quite long winded.

Would this irritate you as well?

@Tyrozet

Stop volunteering to go! And if asked directly, say you have been recently and it's someone else's turn.

Can't help it, I'm a people pleaser 😅

I volunteered this time for simplicity as someone was needed there and then. As my manager had actually said "it's only fair everyone takes a turn" I didn't think it would be an issue this time. I also said that I wasn't doing the other days.

When she asked me directly later on I said "yes, but do X,Y or Z not want to take a turn?" and was told it was awkward for them. To be honest I don't think she actually asked/told them.

You are your own worst enemy.

You need to just say no, mean no, and stick to it.

The others should take a turn and it will only happen if your boss realises it will be easier to now get a yes from one of them than from you.
If you carry on being the go to option you will ALWAYS be the go to option.

Woman Up and put your foot down 🤨

You are suffering with ‘disease to please’ and it will hold you back in your career. You’ll get stuck while others get promoted.

Please stop this behaviour! It will not help you.

Suggest reading How Women Rise: Break the 12 habits holding you back Disease to please is one of the habits- and i bet you have others too.

Manager needs an off site rota. Each time they need someone elsewhere the next name on the rota goes. Manager needs to stop asking people and telling them they are going IF it's in their contract

On the next request , lie and say I can't because x y z. Or even better say "I've been a lot recently so would prefer not to". Lay your cards out ok the table as soon as s/he mentions it.

You're being mugged off

Your boss knows you're a doormat people pleaser and will keep asking you. Stop volunteering and keep mentioning that everyone has it in their contract that they have to do it and it's their turn.

Just say to manager that in future you will only be doing your share. If there are 8 of you that means you will go one in 8 of the times cover is needed.

She is a manager! She's not managing well and fairly is she! She can either set a rotating order for cover eg first Jane, then Sally, then Karen, etc always in the same order. Or make a jovial thing of a "lottery" where a person is drawn out at random, until all 8 have been drawn out then all 8 go in the lottery draw again.

Your contract is the same for all of you. You should all take a turn. Nothing can come of you standing your ground and saying you will only cover as an equal amount in line with every team member.