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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Work and danger!

30 replies

xarpets · 15/08/2023 19:02

NC so I don't out myself

I work in healthcare, my job is easily doable from home

My car brakes are binding and I've been advised not to drive (they're glowing hot and extremely dangerous). If they fail, I will have no brakes and potentially a car fire.

I commute 30 miles each way.

The earliest my mechanic can fit me in is 25th august which is also payday. He is reliable and cheap. I've used him for years.

I have zero money until payday and no option of loans. I can't hire a car as if it got scratched (likely given the area. All our cars have) I'd have to cover those costs. I don't have money to hire a car or Uber (Uber would be £100 a day)

I asked to work from home until it is fixed. 8 days. I was told no. They offered to pay my costs and then deduct from my salary which I thought was great, however no local garages could get me in much sooner and the costs were over £200 more. I can barely afford what my mechanic will charge so there's no way I can afford extra

I argued that my safety is more important and they eventually agreed I can work from home

I feel bad for asking now but my job is doable from home, I've worked from home the odd day before, I'm all set up to do it. My
Colleague had 3 weeks working from home during a tricky divorce, but usually we all work from an office.

AIBU here? Feel a bit miffed

OP posts:
Perfectlyblended · 15/08/2023 19:07

Hmm I don’t know really like I think DANGER is a bit dramatic, in theory you not being able to get to work without your car really isn’t their problem.
most people would have to find away who’s work couldn’t be done from home.

Original poster
xarpets · 15/08/2023 19:33

The brakes are smoking and red hot, my mechanic pleaded with me not to drive it... 250 miles a week just for work on brakes that are very likely to fail, I would say that was danger.

OP posts:
babbscrabbs · 15/08/2023 19:37

You need to go back to your mechanic and offer him more money to fit you in sooner, or keep ringing round more places to get it seen ASAP. It's not the end of the world and great you can do your job from home but you're probably using up a lot of goodwill and you should really do everything you can to get it sorted ASAP.

ilovetomatosoup · 15/08/2023 19:38

what are there reasons for saying no to wfh? Have you done it before? Is there past form for this?

CandyflossKaren · 15/08/2023 19:40

If you are living this hand to mouth then I'd be looking at a new budget......and job!

teaorme · 15/08/2023 19:42

CandyflossKaren · 15/08/2023 19:40

If you are living this hand to mouth then I'd be looking at a new budget......and job!

I agree with this OP.

Arrgghhdecisions · 15/08/2023 19:42

CandyflossKaren · 15/08/2023 19:40

If you are living this hand to mouth then I'd be looking at a new budget......and job!

Ahhhh and here come the brigade with useless advice and no clue about the real world.

Hufflepods · 15/08/2023 19:45

You are being unreasonable to make this much of a mountain out of it. Ultimately they have begrudgingly agreed but I can understand why they said no. Your finances and the fact that you refuse to go to another mechanic aren’t their problem. It’s like someone saying they don’t want to pay for the commute so they deserve to work from home.
Danger doesn’t come into it.

Fotophrame · 15/08/2023 19:50

If you were told no and then argued to get what suited you, you'll have to hope you don't need any more favours. This really wasn't their problem (although it was a big cost for you) and you've been quite dramatic.

SpamIAm · 15/08/2023 19:53

It is quite a long time to be working from home for if that isn't the norm. Understand you can't drive though and I absolutely wouldn't be either. Is it remotely possible to travel via public transport? I think I'd give that a go at least once or twice to show willing...

nothingcomestonothing · 15/08/2023 19:53

Its hard to be in your situation, but ultimately it's not your employer's problem how you get to work or what it costs you to do so. You might have used up quite a bit of goodwill here.

DinnaeFashYersel · 15/08/2023 19:56

You've probably cashed in all goodwill and favours from work.

They've been really generous making that offer and then giving into your demands when it's really not their problem.

Time to be a model employee.

Original poster
xarpets · 15/08/2023 20:12

I love rurally so public transport isn't possible or affordable unfortunately

I've worked from home for the odd day before. I don't have form for it. It's a job that can be done from home with no issues and others have

I work hard and work more hours than I'm meant to for free. Never complain, never even take a lunch break! I see more patients than any of my other colleagues... so I think I am a good employee.

As for budget and job - widowed mom to 2 kids. No family. So my salary and some tax credits is all we have. I do the best I can

OP posts:
maddiemookins16mum · 15/08/2023 20:22

How will your kids get to their childcare for the holidays?

Hufflepods · 15/08/2023 20:41

This goes beyond work through, whats your plan for the next 2 weeks living rurally with no car? How are you bringing your children about? Are you literally not leaving the house for 2 full weeks? What are you doing about groceries?

chopc · 15/08/2023 22:32

Stop worrying for free!

Without knowing your role I can't advise on if they were being reasonable or not. However, I don't think you should drive that long a distance on a malfunctioning car. But you should try and find someone else who can do the work a lot sooner

chopc · 15/08/2023 22:36

Sorry that was meant to say stop working for free!

As for everyone saying it's not the employers problem etc - loads of employers allow WFH and OP' said her job can be done remotely so if the employer is accommodating, they should consider her working from home. They probably didn't want to set a precedent as if they agree to one request they will find it difficult to say no to another

WhiteFire · 15/08/2023 23:44

OP I am in a similar situation. I have an arm injury and should be resting it and certainly not driving. I asked to WFH (getting to work without driving is pretty much impossible) and it was refused and told I had to go on the sick instead. I haven't because a) the sickness policy is really harsh and I couldn't be done with the chew and b) I have so much work that no-one else picks up so would simply return to a mass load of work.

I am therefore using my arm, gritting through the pain and hoping that I am not doing further damage to it.

No advice, sorry, but lots of sympathy.

Stompythedinosaur · 15/08/2023 23:54

I think that 8 days of home working when that is not how you usually work is a pretty huge favour to ask.

It isn't really "homeworking or I'm in danger", that is a situation you have falsely created to force the decision you want. Really, it's paying the higher rate and paying before payday you are trying to avoid I think.

Original poster
xarpets · 16/08/2023 15:39

Thanks for the replies all

I disagree that it isn't dangerous. With brakes like these, the likelihood is they will fail (eg no brakes at all). It is likely they could also catch fire if driven for long periods (like a commute!) as the brake fluid boils. This was the advice of every mechanic I spoke to.

I called around and absolutely nobody could fit me in during the next 2 weeks apart from one garage who wanted £700. My mechanic wants £380.

Yes I am trying to avoid the higher price, why the heck wouldn't I! I will be honest the 380 will push me to breaking point. Any more than that and my bills won't be paid or food won't be on the table.

My children's childcare is within walking distance as is the local shop so that is fine.

I have worked from home on occasion, as has one colleague for a week while unwell and another colleague for 3 weeks due to a messy divorce because she was too upset to come into the office (she didn't work either, she simply just checked her emails occasionally and this was deemed ok!)

My job can be done entirely from home, it's just preference that we go into the office.

OP posts:
Original poster
xarpets · 16/08/2023 15:41

Stompythedinosaur · 15/08/2023 23:54

I think that 8 days of home working when that is not how you usually work is a pretty huge favour to ask.

It isn't really "homeworking or I'm in danger", that is a situation you have falsely created to force the decision you want. Really, it's paying the higher rate and paying before payday you are trying to avoid I think.

Falsely created how?

I drive and risk my life, or I don't drive. Those brakes are to the point they are smoking literally. Brake fade is a real thing, as are car fires.

I'm not wanting to risk it because best case scenario is I make it to work but destroying my car. Worst case i kill myself or someone else by crashing. Most likely is a crash.

We're not talking worn brake pads here, we're talking serious issues.

OP posts:
Original poster
xarpets · 16/08/2023 15:43

Stompythedinosaur · 15/08/2023 23:54

I think that 8 days of home working when that is not how you usually work is a pretty huge favour to ask.

It isn't really "homeworking or I'm in danger", that is a situation you have falsely created to force the decision you want. Really, it's paying the higher rate and paying before payday you are trying to avoid I think.

Also to add

Not avoiding paying before payday - I have zero money to pay before payday but my employers are willing to pay upfront as I said in the OP. They will then deduct from my salary.

Yes wanting to avoid paying 2-400 more as been quoted because I can't afford this. Why the heck would I pay £600+ when I can pay 380 instead?

OP posts:
thecatsthecats · 16/08/2023 15:46

You can get hie car excess cover for a couple of quid a day. It pays the extra in event of a scratch.

Vault687 · 16/08/2023 15:46

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

WetBandits · 16/08/2023 15:47

I argued that my safety is more important and they eventually agreed I can work from home

So it’s been resolved and you will be WFH until your car is fixed? If that’s the case, what exactly is your AIBU?

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