AIBU to report my colleague?

[user875877]

Hi I'm after other peoples opinion on this as I am not sure if I am being overly sensitive.

Last year I returned to work after 6 months off work sick undergoing treatment for cancer. I returned part time and have stayed on part time hours. I am the only member of the team who doesn't work a full day I work half days.

I have one colleague who constantly comments on my working pattern.

I have overheard her telling other colleagues its not fair that I don't work full days and that I should work afternoons to stay to lock the store up because everyone else does.

She moans because I do a lot of jobs that are done sitting down and she has to stand all day.

She constantly tells me how busy it is in the afternoons after I have finished work and I should work afternoons, its busy in the mornings too.

We are going out for a work meal next week, I don't go to every staff night out and this will be the first one since I have returned, there have been 2 nights out I said I wasn't going to go to due to anxiety about going out after lockdown and cancer. She commented to another member of staff 'she won't come' and then laughed.

It's starting to get to me and upset me. I don't know if I should speak to my manager or if I am over reacting.

Nah she's nasty. I hope she never has to deal with what you're going through....not that anyone should. Ask her if she has anything to say then to speak up or shut up.

Yikes. Not great advice. You appear to have the same hang-ups as the woman in question. You may need some help from a counselor or coach who can help you make less emotional decisions, and be less judgmental. Blaming a fellow employee who has sought an entirely legal and transparent working arrangement, is not the action of a logical, reasonable mind.

Your colleague is bizarre. Suggest she tells management if she’s struggling with her workload so she can get some pointers on working more efficiently (spending less time chatting shit about people).

None of it is your fault or problem.

You work half days and get paid for half days.

Every time she raises it I would reply "I get paid to work mornings only, I can't work full days because of the affects of my cancer treatment. Would you like to swap places?"

I would say it once and if it carries speak to your manager.

I’d be tempted to say “yes, I had cancer and now I get every afternoon off. How lucky I am!” Really embarrass her in front of everyone.
im sorry you’re going through this OP. If it’s any consolation, your other colleagues must think she’s an absolute arsehole.

Your amended hours are a reasonable adjustment to allow you to continue to work despite your past medical concerns. They are a legal obligation that your employer could accommodate, so has.

I would confront the cow. And my line would be that I hoped she never had to deal with something so horrible in her life, and then face colleagues judging her for doing what she can to return to normality.

I would also be informing line manager. What a wretch.

DO NOT DO THIS. Terrible advice. Escalate directly to HR or management. By email if possible to retain a trail of communication. Bullying in the workplace is unacceptable and should be dealt with formally.

Why are these 'concerns' not unfounded.??

(and this is enabling bullying....)

OP is working part time and presumably paid part time.

The reasons why are NOTHING to do with her bully.

If the bully thinks they are understaffed they need to take it up with the management not gossip and bad mouth OP.

OP I hope you're recovering well🙏

Everyone who has said to escalate this is correct. In addition, I’d suggest you write down dates, times, what she said, in front of whom etc so you have a diary of her discrimination.

I would present this to your line manager and say you are being bullied and treated in a discriminatory manner. Then I’d ask them to deal with this woman.

I personally wouldn’t confront her as she sounds nasty and vicious, but going down the official route should shut her up.

I think that's sound advice.

Speak to your Manager. I'd be horrified if one of my team was being subjected to this and I was unaware.

HOW AGGRESSIVE and I wasn't the only one to suggest this, why have you not told every other poster what such a bad idea it is? Fucking MN police, having to patronise other posters so their own advice sounds all so much more important. Give your own advice without telling other people theirs is terrible. I was simply suggesting a friendly chat to try get to bottom of issue before taking it official. BUT OBVIOUSLY THIS IS DREADFUL ADVICE AND SHOULD BE IGNORED AT ALL COSTS. Go have a nap and calm down

Report with dates, times, witnesses etc report in writing and as much detail as you can.

this is bullying - she is aware of your medical absence and this is very unprofessional

Keep a record of what they say and when, detailing who else was present. Then I would request a meeting with them, yourself and your manager.

Personally I would have to say something if I overheard a colleague question my hours. Something like “if I’d been given the choice to work afternoons instead of having cancer that would have been my preference too”

Definitely bullying behaviour which needs to be dealt with by Management ASAP. One of my work roles is D&I and if she dared to do this to one of my colleagues I would be ripping her a new one!!

There are no foundations for concern. OP works part time. Her hours are agreed between her, & her employer.

HR Person here. This is bullying and also illegal harassment. Cancer is considered as a disability in employment terms and therefore a protected characteristic. Absolutely report her to HR.

I think the next time she mentions your working hours, perhaps you should suggest that if she becomes seriously ill and is prepared to accept part-time pay, she requests mornings only too!

Keep a diary of every detail and comment. Very useful if it ever went to a higher authority to be dealt with.

Have things improved OP?
Hope so

Tell her you will swap your illness with her duty to lock the doors at night.
what the hell is wrong with these nasty heartless cretins.

No she doesn't. She sounds like a nasty bitch.

Loudly - "I'm recovering from cancer Debbie! Give it a rest and stop harping on about my HAVING to reduce my hours."

The thread is nearly a year old - OP is hopefully not in the same situation now