So upset and confused - issue at work

[Hereforthekickz]

I have worked there for 5 years. I work in admin for a large company and have 2 colleagues that do the same work as me. General admin, answering calls etc. I am a hard worker.

I am full time. My colleagues job share. One works Mon, Tue, Wed. The other 1/2 day Wed, Thurs, Fri. There is always 2 min admin staff on any day.

Our manager wanted to propose a home working arrangement with his boss. He asked what days we would like. The colleague that works 1/2 day on Wednesday ( let’s call her Jane) was very vocal and felt that anyone that got the Friday working at home was at an advantage as they wouldn’t have the travel time so, in her words, could go out early for the evening . This was quickly dismissed by our boss. Due to the short patterns, there was only actually Jane that could benefit if she got her shifts changed. She got very angry and said “well I might change my shifts to work full day Wed and Thurs and half day Friday so I can finish early on Friday then”. Our boss just laughed.

Last week we had a meeting. Boss wanted to confirm proposals for home working before he spoke to his boss. He gave everyone a home working day. When it got to Jane she was down to work half a day Friday in the morning. I raised my hand and asked how it would work because I would be the only admin person in the office for the afternoon. I explained that the phones are very busy and we always get an influx of last minute admin work before the weekend. I also asked what would happen if I was ill or had an important appointment as there would be no admin staff. My boss advised that he was okay to deal with this as it’s only an afternoon.

As the home working had not been agreed, I decided to wait to see what would happen next. Yesterday we were told that his boss did not agree to it. I thought, fine, that’s the end of it all. No home working, no problem.

Until today when this morning, I got an email from Jane, who was sat opposite me, to say her new shifts had been agreed with our boss and his boss. I just can’t understand the reasoning behind it so asked to speak to my boss. I advised again that I would struggle and explained that it meant that 3 admin staff would be in on Wednesday and only me on Friday afternoons. This balance doesn’t match the workload. I asked how I would be expected to manage this extra workload but he didn’t really answer. I asked what the business need was but he kept referring to a “possible” business need in some months to come. He basically could not give me an answer. We went round and round. I explained that I felt like I am being expected to pick up the work and if there was a real need, I would accept it, but I could see the benefit and he couldn’t provide me with a reason or what the plan was moving forward to help with this increase of workload. Basically, Janes shifts were changed because she shouted loud enough. Our boss is not exactly a great leader and he tries to avoid any kind of conflict.

This is not the only issue he has created in the office/team but I just felt completely dumped on. I was upset that he hadn’t spoken to me because it directly involves me. I was very upset that I got an email from a colleague that was sitting in front of me.

My boss got very defensive and tried saying that I should have tried harder to tell him there was a concern which I did in our meeting. He was raising his voice and became confrontational.

I got so upset that he said I could work from home so I went. His boss emailed me later to say she was sorry I was upset and that I can speak to her on Monday if I need to.

What shall I do? There have been a number of these types of incidents and today feels like the straw that broke the camels back. Jane messaged me to see where I was but I just can’t ring myself to get in touch. Please help?

@Puzzledandpissedoff ues it’s a well known and well documented issue I’m afraid. It has been going on for years. It is also a general consensus that my boss is in the wrong job! I don’t get involved but there are a number of issues that are being dealt with by the Union rep regarding HR issues and issues with a member of his staff that he is not doing anything about. In fact, it’s the same member of staff I asked him to help me with because I couldn’t do my job. 4 years later and nothing has changed. The union has ended up getting involved because there are problems where staff haven’t been paid correctly.

He also employed a member of staff who was paying for takeaways on the company credit card but he didn’t do anything about it despite it was gross misconduct. He has even told people in the office that he has had to report a member of staff because they spelt of alcohol. He then named that person. The list goes on!!!!

He doesn’t manage or lead anyone or anything. When we raise issues as a team he actually says we are “moaning”. He knows nothing about our work.

You don't work any harder or twice as fast on a Friday afternoon. If tasks don't get done that falls at his door and is his problem not yours. Her not being there won't affect you because you can only do what you can do. I'd accept it but see it fail and him have to backtrack.

@WoodingtonMo no I don’t feel
like it’s envy. It’s anger and confusion. I feel disappointed that my boss didn’t or couldn’t tell me why the change was made and I feel like it wasn’t communicated clearly and our concerns taken seriously. I should not have to manage. There was no ethical business reason to change her shifts and for me to be given more work.

I feel like my concerns do not matter. I am not saying it would have changed the outcome but my concerns needed to be acknowledged at least.

As soon as I ‘manage’ an afternoon, what’s stopping it from being a day or 2 days. It’s bad decision making from an inadequate leader!

Well don't "manage" answer the phone and let the undone tasks pile up.

Forward any unanswered emails 30 minutes before the end of his workday to him as well as a list of outstanding tasks split under urgent and less urgent headings.

I am afraid the time has come to do a couple of things:

1. Raise a grievance against your manager, citing everything that you have mentioned here, especially his lack of engagement in management, so you would also need to include failing to deal with a colleague using the school credit card, a colleague smelling of alcohol and failing to resolve the issues in your office.
2. Look for another job... as a school admin, you are gold dust and make it clear before you leave you want the grievance process followed through.

My slightly impish view is, if you cannot settle with this arrangement, talk to your GP and get signed off with stress and when you return insit that you talk to Occ Health and get them to agree that you cannot be left alone on a Friday afternoon. I also understand why a Friday is so busy... unfortunately people who do not work in schools, do not understand the increase in safeguarding referrals that are currently happening... over 20 MASH referrals in second part of last term for one our local schools.

@LatteLady add into the mix the fact that it’s a SEN school.

I really do hope that I am not making a mountain out of a mole hill and I am trying to just take it on the chin but it’s difficult. Again, I think this was the last straw.

This may not work out with your type of work but is there any scope in you being the one to sit away from the phones on Wednesdays now so you can get other tasks cleared to have more scope on a Friday afternoon?

If it were me, I'd phone in sick this Friday with really bad period pain and stomach cramps. If your boss is male then add sufficient detail to make him squirm. Let's see how they cope with no admin there...

I'd be really pissed off with Jane. She sounds arrogant. I'd make sure she is on phone answering duty when all 3 of you are in.

You are not making a mountain out of a mole hill, but I would seriously think about another school or academy chain, and raising a grievance... Having had to deal with the staff issues that you have named as a Chair, I would be f*cking livid if this was happening in any of my schools. I have found that people excuse alcohol much more than they should, what if the staff member was over the limit and drove a car, your manager is then complicit.

Take some Tuesdays off and the work will pass to a Wednesday for Jane?

@OddBoots well it’s funny you mention that because that’s just what my DH suggested. At the moment, Jane sits at a desk on a Wednesday and we have always been told that the phone can’t be connected to the loop system so when she comes in on Wednesday afternoons, she doesn’t answer any calls. I did raise this issue now she is working all day on Wednesday. My boss told me that he will ensure the phone is setup to take calls. Now I very much doubt he will do this. He hasn’t done it yet. This could then be an option as I could ask to sit there.

Thanks for the suggestion

Work to rule, don’t do anything over and above what you would usually do, if you cope then everyone will think there is no issue.
If your role means that you can’t ignore things until Monday you prioritise, work out how many tasks you can achieve in an afternoon and pass any more that come in to your manager. It’s then his responsibility to manage this and don’t back down.
Unfortunately trying to work hard, do what you need to do and take on extra, doesn’t always help. Those who do this end up burnt out and no one appreciates it.

Yes the ones who are pushy and speak the loudest, with a laid back boss, tend to get what they want. Very unfair arrangement, which you have made clear to them. 'Jane' sounds selfish, you're a team , and as the FT worker you should really be the one who has priority over which days to wfh. How about a monthly swap in days, would be fairer? Sure you would all like Friday afternoon off or wfh but clearly hasn't thought about that, just herself. Xx

@Crazydoglady1980 I am at burn out and have been here for a while just about managing. There are many things going on at work that are simply wrong and we are short staffed because of it. It’s a cultural issue that started when the Head retired. We are all overworked which adds to the melting pot.
My wellbeing is taking a nose drive. Just when I feel like things have changed for the better, something else happens and I am back in the same place again.
I am taken advantage of because I am accommodating and I do get the job done. I don’t want to sound arrogant but I am good at what I do and I take pride in it. I want the school to do well and I want to be a part of its success. But I have just realised that I have to change and that’s so hard to do when that’s not your way.

I am going to have to start playing the game just to save my mental health.

Thanks for all the great comments ❤️

Sounds like your mental health will crack Thursday and you'll need a week off and a trip to the GP about your stress levels.

OP don't see it as playing the game. See it as doing the right thing for the school - by your shitty boss showing himself up because lots of complaints are coming in. As I believe I previously advised you just need to send him an email saying - boss, can we have a chat please about my priorities for Fridays and want you want me to prioritise/not focus on due to short staffing.

If no meeting happens - next email, boss, as we still haven't discussed this I'm assuming you will want me to prioritise X and deprioritise Y. Please can we have a discussion to confirm this.

Then work your hours, do what you can but don't work extra hours or run yourself ragged. Keep emailing him to point out what couldn't get done. When hopefully complaints roll in you will eventually able to say to big boss - I kept telling him but he wouldn't listen. And show you were dedicated and committed. Bu getting him to either sort a better job or leave you are helping the school, see it that way.

I would email top boss again to request a meeting and cc union rep in.

This isn't Jane's fault she's requesting something which has been agreed. I wouldn't mention Jane at all.

I would take rep to meeting and raise the fact that you are being expected to do two peoples work on a Friday. Challenge this and ask for a solution.

Thing is, Jane has worked out boss is going to do absolutely nothing to 'manage' so she has rather cleverly turned that to her advantage.

About time you did the same. No extra work, no helping him out, no 'going the extra mile'. What's he going to do about it? Maybe have a migraine on a Friday afternoon. Every time something goes wrong, put it in writing. Keep the proof. Try and find a job elsewhere.

Ultimately, he's using your good will and diligence to support his inadequate managerial skills.

If your boss is such a wet lettuce maybe you should play Jane at her own game.

Perhaps suggest to your manager that as there are three people working on a Wednesday afternoon and just you on a Friday, it would be fairer if you didn’t work Wednesday afternoons, but keep getting paid the same due to having to work twice as hard on a Friday afternoon. That will solve Jane’s desk problem on a Wednesday too 😀.

If he hates confrontation, perhaps he’ll agree 👍

@Aroundthetwist that’s actually not a bad idea!!! 😝🙌

Thanks everyone. I am going to take all the advice given to me and put it into practice.

I know Jane has just seen an opportunity and taken it. It’s my boss that agreed it but I still think it was a selfish thing to do especially when she makes out that she is all for the team and so selfless. It was quite underhand.

I know I have to be professional but I want to firm up my boundaries with my coworkers. I don’t want to be friends and I don’t want them contacting me out of work like we are friends. Jane does texted me quite a lot out of hours. It’s her that instigates this, not me but I reply and I am friendly. I don’t want this anymore. It’s my choice when it’s my free time and I really want to leave work behind when I walk out of the office. I wouldn’t be friends with someone like that anyways.

The problem really is that if there is supposed to be a trial period, it is set up to fail, as Friday afternoon is under-staffed. And when this comes to light it will be ‘oh @Hereforthekickz didnt do this on Friday’ or ‘@Hereforthekickz rang in sick’ and the trial period reflects badly on the person who’s there and not the people that aren’t. Then the ‘failure’ ends up with Jane or the other person being dragged in to work Fridays resulting in resentment / even though you’re already covering for two.

The trial period should be set up to succeed. Two people every shift. Monitor work load for each half day (5x2) and then review. This is what I’d go back and recommend. Say you are being left in an impossible situation that will leave you solely responsible, and that it’s an unfair starting point.

I've worked in school admin alongside two other colleagues.
One did ParentPay/letters home. One did phones/social media. I did phones/pupils/minutes. We all picked up First Aid/post/reprographics.
You finished on time.
What didn't get done rolled over.
Pupil safety took priority with phone calls - ringing home if injured etc
Parents would call and far too much cold calling from supply agencies.

What am I missing here? What complaints are you going to get from who?
I loved reception work and manning phones - time flew.
I don't recall it becoming untenable, even when someone was off, you'd be passing on messages/data inputting/logging requests but it wasn't insurmountable.

If a parent cannot get through, they'll call back on the Monday.

God this guy sounds exactly like my boss and all the reasons why I am trying to get out. Good luck to you @Hereforthekickz

Office administrators where I am - it's a competitive field - the jobs are like golddust not the staff (although they all are worth their weight in gold). Why are you dealing with MASH referrals - they'll go to the Safeguarding lead? Or do you mean inputting them?