Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to not drive partner to work while on maternity leave during bus strike?

282 replies

AmIclutchingpearls · 07/11/2023 14:50

My partner can't drive and so can't get to work during the current bus strikes.

He usually works 1 day a week at home and 4 in the office. He works in finance and can do his job entirely remotely. Unfortunately his employer (large company) are insisting he goes in at least 3 days - the reasons given are that his contract doesn't allow full homeworking and apparently one colleague has asked why he should get 'special treatment'.

We live in a rural location so no transport option other than me driving him there then picking him up (total 4 hours driving per day, 12 hours per week). I am on maternity leave so could theoretically do it but I really don't want to if it can be avoided!

Partner's uncle and sister both live close to his work so I have suggested he could ask if he could stay with one of them 2 nights a week (or 1 night each) meaning I would only have to drive him there Tuesday morning and pick him up Thursday after work. He is close to them and they regularly stay over at our house at weekends but he won't even ask them!

AIBU to say he asks his family to put him up 1 or 2 nights a week temporarily or finds his own alternative?

Also, any other advice around dealing with his employer or other options more than welcome!

Thank you all!

OP posts:
NoThanksymm · 10/11/2023 16:14

I think the employer is being unreasonable. As is your partner that spent drive.

sorry, bus strike, I’m working from home or off.

If you’re on mat leave I’m sure your partner doesnt want to leave for that many days.

but 4 hours of driving a day is totally an unreasonable demand. You def shouldn’t be doing that.

LakieLady · 10/11/2023 16:27

Could he book a CBT course and get a small motorbike that he can ride on a provisional licence?

Loads of people round my way commute by motorbike, because it's quicker than driving and parking's easier.

Bean83ts · 11/11/2023 11:27

It’s 4 hours a day with a newborn in a car???

c0vb1rd · 11/11/2023 11:44

Has he thought about putting an official flexible work request in because they can't reject it really if he has proven he can do his whole job from home. This would safe guard him for future years as well. Strikes are unpredictable and you don't actually know how temporary they are this current climate.

Blondeshavemorefun · 12/11/2023 14:52

So @AmIclutchingpearls what's the outocome

Train and bike/taxi

You

Staying at relatives

AmIclutchingpearls · 12/11/2023 17:33

Thank you for all the replies. Partner has got a car share sorted for some days in the short term so huge relief and still hoping to persuade work for more flexibility but not confirmed yet - fingers crossed!

OP posts:
mayorofcasterbridge · 12/11/2023 17:40

AmIclutchingpearls · 12/11/2023 17:33

Thank you for all the replies. Partner has got a car share sorted for some days in the short term so huge relief and still hoping to persuade work for more flexibility but not confirmed yet - fingers crossed!

Best of luck! x

New posts on this thread. Refresh page