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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not sure what to do about work, worried about being sacked

34 replies

Canyoureadmymind · 01/04/2023 15:08

I've been in a new job for around 4 months, it's a part time role in addition to my main job. I wasn't provided training when I started but I've just had an email through with new starter training dates, 3 days in total. One of them is in 9 days ' time which luckily I can make.
They're all within the next 3 weeks, I can make the first 2 dates but not the 3rd. This is because I'm at my other job, and not sure I'd be able to take a day off for this training.

Anyway, our manager has emailed about the training saying all 3 days are compulsory, and if you don't attend your contract will be terminated.
There's no online equivalent sadly.
So I'm not sure what to do really, would they really sack me if I miss one of the days? Just feel quite worried.

OP posts:
Wheresthebloodynurofen · 01/04/2023 15:09

Seems so yes. Call a sicky at the main job.

Original poster
Canyoureadmymind · 01/04/2023 15:10

I've had a sick day off from my other job in the last 3 months and I just don't want to be flaky/let them down .

OP posts:
Original poster
Canyoureadmymind · 01/04/2023 15:10

On the other hand I'm not sure if I would want to work for someone who would get rid of employees so easily.

OP posts:
Hadalifeonce · 01/04/2023 15:11

Are you able to swap days with your other job?

neilyoungismyhero · 01/04/2023 15:11

Canyoureadmymind · 01/04/2023 15:10

I've had a sick day off from my other job in the last 3 months and I just don't want to be flaky/let them down .

Couldn't you take a holiday day?

Mitchumforthewin · 01/04/2023 15:13

Do they know you have another job? If so can you talk to your manager and explain the situation? But yes, I’m not sure I’d want to work for someone that inflexible, especially in a part time role. Presumably if it’s part time they must assume you took those particular days as they suited you - therefore in days when you aren’t there you could legitimately be doing something else which means you can’t be working for them at the same time. It does seem very tight to expect you to be free ALL the time!

EmilyGilmoresSass · 01/04/2023 15:13

Canyoureadmymind · 01/04/2023 15:10

On the other hand I'm not sure if I would want to work for someone who would get rid of employees so easily.

They aren't really. Most employers won't keep staff that don't bother showing up to training. It's not as if its a childcare or carers issue, you aren't going because you're working for somewhere else. That's not their problem 🤨

Christmascracker0 · 01/04/2023 15:14

Can you book a days holiday off your main job?

Original poster
Canyoureadmymind · 01/04/2023 15:16

All the training is happening in our free time and is all within the next 3 weeks. I do think it's a bit unreasonable to expect us to be free on every day within only a couple of weeks notice.

OP posts:
Original poster
Canyoureadmymind · 01/04/2023 15:16

Sadly it's a school based role so can't really book off in term time.

OP posts:
Eleganz · 01/04/2023 15:17

Canyoureadmymind · 01/04/2023 15:16

All the training is happening in our free time and is all within the next 3 weeks. I do think it's a bit unreasonable to expect us to be free on every day within only a couple of weeks notice.

Why are you doing mandatory training without being paid for it?

Original poster
Canyoureadmymind · 01/04/2023 15:18

Last month we had a compulsory staff meeting with 2 weeks' notice. I attended, about 40% of staff didn't turn up. Some said they just forgot about it, they still have their job.

OP posts:
Original poster
Canyoureadmymind · 01/04/2023 15:18

I assume this training will be paid, well I really hope so. Because my school based job is hourly so if I don't go I'll lose a day of pay.

OP posts:
Eleganz · 01/04/2023 15:22

I would make it clear that you have another job that you work outside your standard hours for this role and so can't attend all the sessions as they are currently scheduled outside those hours. Was this mentioned at any point during your recruitment?

I mean if you hire people part-time you need to accept that they are likely to be working other jobs as well, especially in the current economic climate.

Eleganz · 01/04/2023 15:23

Canyoureadmymind · 01/04/2023 15:18

I assume this training will be paid, well I really hope so. Because my school based job is hourly so if I don't go I'll lose a day of pay.

I'd certainly be seeking clarity on that if I were you.

timeforwotsits · 01/04/2023 15:25

I would see this as a red flag and not want to work there tbh

I refuse to train or do anything work related unless it’s paid for and at my co convenience

WhatFreshHeckle · 01/04/2023 15:26

Unless you are a teacher, you can usually ask for time off in school roles. I've worked in schools as support staff for years and have had to do this on three occasions. There was no problem as they were special occasions and not something I would do all the time

Mycathatesmecuddling · 01/04/2023 15:26

EmilyGilmoresSass · 01/04/2023 15:13

They aren't really. Most employers won't keep staff that don't bother showing up to training. It's not as if its a childcare or carers issue, you aren't going because you're working for somewhere else. That's not their problem 🤨

Show quote history

So if you work monday to friday in your job, and you get told if you don't attend training on a Sunday, with fairly short notice and no details of whether you will be paid, you will be sacked you would be comfortable with that?

Because that seems to be the equivalent to what the OP appears to be being asked to do which sounds like crappy employers to be honest

Original poster
Canyoureadmymind · 01/04/2023 15:29

I work with A Level students and this particular day is basically my last ever lesson with them and just before their exam, I just feel I'd be letting them down massively if I don't turn in.
Plus it's now school holidays and so nobody will be able to approve the absence.
But I can try

OP posts:
Coraline353 · 01/04/2023 15:31

EmilyGilmoresSass · 01/04/2023 15:13

They aren't really. Most employers won't keep staff that don't bother showing up to training. It's not as if its a childcare or carers issue, you aren't going because you're working for somewhere else. That's not their problem 🤨

Show quote history

It's not about not bothering to show up. It's a non working day. It's totally irrelevant if she's unavailable because of caring responsibilities or something else. That's none of their business. She doesn't work for them that day and has her own committments outside of work.

AlbertaAnnie · 01/04/2023 15:48

Coraline353 · 01/04/2023 15:31

It's not about not bothering to show up. It's a non working day. It's totally irrelevant if she's unavailable because of caring responsibilities or something else. That's none of their business. She doesn't work for them that day and has her own committments outside of work.

Show quote history

i Second this absolutely- it’s totally unreasonable to expect people to be available for mandatory trading outside of their contracted days/ hours and threaten to sack them if they don’t show up - very unprofessional and I wouldn’t want to work in such a environment.

Original poster
Canyoureadmymind · 01/04/2023 15:54

Yeah they can't expect us to be fully available on 3 separate dates in the next 3 weeks which are our days off. What if we've booked trips etc

OP posts:
Aprilx · 01/04/2023 16:05

Mycathatesmecuddling · 01/04/2023 15:26

So if you work monday to friday in your job, and you get told if you don't attend training on a Sunday, with fairly short notice and no details of whether you will be paid, you will be sacked you would be comfortable with that?

Because that seems to be the equivalent to what the OP appears to be being asked to do which sounds like crappy employers to be honest

Show quote history

To be fair, OP had not mentioned that the training wasin her spare time at the time that poster made that comment.

FishChipsMushyPeas · 01/04/2023 16:07

I think you'll need to tell them that as the day falls on your NWD, unfortunately you won't be able to attend.

Original poster
Canyoureadmymind · 01/04/2023 16:13

Yeah sorry forgot it's in my spare time

OP posts: