No Good Deed Goes Unpunished, AIBU to Tell them To Get Lost?!

[Mercurial123]

My job is pretty quiet first quarter of the year. I volunteered to help out a department who have staff off sick and on maternity leave. Covered for someone for five weeks did I get a word of thanks? No. They also told me I couldn't go back to my office for a day on their return. I told them in a polite way to piss off.

I'm on day three of helping someone else who has told me I need to come into work an hour early to finalise reports twice a week. Once again I said no. Now that person is backtracking and claiming he never asked me to do it. Both these people are junior to me. Now I'm being to made feel bad to stop helping. AIBU to tell the department head their staff need to learn some manners and at least be a little thankful?

Yanbu. Once they start treating you like a doormat, they won’t stop.

Yes, stand up for yourself. I've always felt you only get trodden on if you let people treat you like a doormat.

You did right to say no.

Hmmm,

They are obviously very rude but do they think you're a floating resource?

If your job is seasonal, it could seem you're free to step into other roles in the short term.

Helping out for days and weeks is see more of a temp than a helping hand, perhaps?

KleineDracheKokosnuss and ancient gran that's exactly how I feel. Being treated like a doormat is so disrespectful. No way would they have spoken to my male colleagues like that.

EinsteinaGogo maybe but the boss of that group thanked me, pity his employee didn't have the grace to either.

I only volunteered as I was quiet. I'm telling my boss Monday I'm using my quiet time for work related online courses.

Never volunteer to help others unless you have an angle and expect to gain from it, e.g. if you've spare time and you want to learn something new because may help your career that's fine.

@MorningStarling

Never volunteer to help others unless you have an angle and expect to gain from it, e.g. if you've spare time and you want to learn something new because may help your career that's fine.

No it's pretty much the same kind of work. Lesson learned not to volunteer again.

Yeah don't volunteer unless it benefits you somehow.

Pointless to seek praise like that - praise doesn't pay the bills!

Withdraw your offer of help and explain why. State that you were happy to help for the greater good of the company, but remind them you do not report to any of these people and that telling you you can’t go back to your office is completely beyond their remit.

Pointless to seek praise like that - praise doesn't pay the bills!

I don't need praise and certainly wasn't looking for it. A thank you however is just basic courtesy.

WomanStanleyWoman thanks have done it. Feel loads better.