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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Work colleague taking so much time off

64 replies

FishOnTheTrain · 22/01/2025 03:34

my work colleague is ALWAYS unwell. She leaves early at least twice a week due to not feeling well. She told me in the last 2 years she has gotten away with doing barely any work (honestly, she doesn’t and it ends up landing on my plate!)

Over the Xmas break, she had 2 weeks off, followed by a week off after that because she was off sick, and then her parents Bungalow flooded so she’s been off for the last two weeks helping helping them too. There are 6 siblings, so not like it’s all on her to sort. But that’s none of my business. We found out yesterday that she’ll be working from home for the next 4 weeks, which is fine, but she’s not been online once since then or responded to my messages.

AIBU to feel really annoyed? I have to constantly pick up all of the work for her and also she is earning a hell of a lot more money than me (she drunkenly told me at after work drinks one day). I’ve had to work late to pick up her work load. She’s been at the company less time. I will need to go to HR but unsure how to approach in a professional way.

OP posts:
Snowmanscarf · 22/01/2025 03:41

Maybe list everything down so you have evidence. Eg, examples of when you can’t get hold of her, increased workload for you, work she’s failed to do Work, when you’ve had to work late etc.

TheAirfryerQueen · 22/01/2025 03:42

Why are your managers letting her get away eith this? If your company is so poorly run, I think you should vote with your feet and find another job. It's plain you are being taken for a mug by these people.

Original poster
FishOnTheTrain · 22/01/2025 03:44

TheAirfryerQueen · 22/01/2025 03:42

Why are your managers letting her get away eith this? If your company is so poorly run, I think you should vote with your feet and find another job. It's plain you are being taken for a mug by these people.

yep looking for other jobs. Currently in the middle of a stressful house move but as soon as that’s settled I’m going to throw myself into it a bit more.

OP posts:
RickiRaccoon · 22/01/2025 03:52

Her leave and its genuineness and her pay isn't your issue to worry about, it's your manager's. Your concern is just how the leave affects you and your work so keep focused on these elements.

I'd talk to your manager before HR. Emphasise how you're very happy to pick up others' work and help out the team but are concerned about the amount it's happening recently and the effect on your own ability to manage workload and the potential to affect the quality of your output. Give specific instances where it's being dumped on you late with short timeframes. Ask if there's a plan to manage it going forward as it seems to be an ongoing issue. Focus on your concern for the team (have your got other colleagues also affected?) and meeting deadlines. I wouldn't specifically mention your colleague's name at all (to avoid sounding accusatory) unless they bring it up because they'll know who you're meaning.

Guest100 · 22/01/2025 03:58

Stop doing her work. Once it’s left undone they will start to care.

Blue278 · 22/01/2025 04:18

As a manager I sometimes receive these kinds of complaints about staff and always tell the complainer I can’t discuss other people. Much of the time we are already on to it and have an investigation or a performance plan in place.

What you described is appalling though and wouldn’t ever get to happen! Not surprised you’re pissed off!

If she is genuinely not working when claiming to WFH that should be easy for them to check and turn into a gross misconduct. How do you verify your hours? e.g. My staff have a timesheet that works on self declaration and mutual trust. It’s made clear though that false claims are misconduct.

What contact do you have with your line manager? It must have come up already?

sunsettosunrise · 22/01/2025 04:27

Talk to HR as you will burn yourself out, and its not fair either.

As a graduate, I ended up covering for two people senior to me (including my line manager) for several weeks because they were having brain surgery and back surgery respectively at the same time, I sucked it up because they were valued colleagues and they were def not skiving but I burnt myself. I ended up having to be signed off work for a week myself after they returned as I was having constant dizzy spells due to stress and exhausion.

In hindsight, I wish I spoke to HR but I was too young / experienced to speak up.

Abi86 · 22/01/2025 04:40

I’m assuming she’s not getting paid for all this time off (unless she’s using accrued sick leave)?

I agree with a previous poster who said you need to discuss how this impacts your output/ability to work with your manager. I’d avoid mentioning how you "feel" about the CFer time taken off. Just focus on the impact on you and your output (stress, uncertainty, priority of tasks, missing lunch, overtime - whatever).

oakleaffy · 22/01/2025 04:53

TheAirfryerQueen · 22/01/2025 03:42

Why are your managers letting her get away eith this? If your company is so poorly run, I think you should vote with your feet and find another job. It's plain you are being taken for a mug by these people.

This.

She sounds a lazy so and so and it's impacting on you.

Definitely report it.

It would piss anyone off having to cover for someone else's tardiness.

RawBloomers · 22/01/2025 05:26

Looking for another job is the best thing you can do for yourself in this situation. But you may also be able to leverage more money, since you know they are prepared to pay people in your job whatever they are paying your colleague (I’m assuming you’re both in the same job, this may be less effective if she holds a qualification or role that you do not).

Try approaching your manager asking for a pay rise to acknowledge the work you are doing. Say you know that colleague earns X and since you are doing the work she is not you’d like to be recognised with a rise to X+10%. See how it goes. It may not get you anywhere but not asking won’t get you anywhere either. If you have another job offer you have an even stronger case. Accept anything they give you but if it’s not above X then keep looking for another job.

HazelBite · 22/01/2025 05:34

What@RickiRaccoon said is absolutely the way to deal with this.You have my sympathy I had a similar situation some years ago but the colleague was best buddies with the manager so I was onto a hiding to nothing and found myself another job eventually

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 22/01/2025 05:38

It depends whether she is taking advantage and is off when not really ill or if she is suffering from some chronic illness and trying her best to keep working as much as she can

CanelliniBeans · 22/01/2025 05:43

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 22/01/2025 05:38

It depends whether she is taking advantage and is off when not really ill or if she is suffering from some chronic illness and trying her best to keep working as much as she can

Whether it is genuine or not, the OP should not be impacted. Her wellbeing is just as important as her colleague.
The manager needs factual information about the additional work you are doing OP, times, delivery, etc and the hours you work.
If the manager does not sort this then go to HR and raise a grievance OR stop doing the additional work and cite your own wellbeing. They have a duty of care to you too.

Mummyoflittledragon · 22/01/2025 05:50

I would be so annoyed in your position. I took on the slack from others when young and also got dizzy and burned out. I agree you should speak to HR about this if your manager isn’t doing anything. And ask for a pay rise from your line manager.

Bearbookagainandagain · 22/01/2025 05:53

YABU. The issue isn't what your colleague does or doesn't do, the issue is your workload.
Talk to your manager about that, and don't work outside your working hours (particularly if no one asked you to).

SapphireOpal · 22/01/2025 06:29

Bearbookagainandagain · 22/01/2025 05:53

YABU. The issue isn't what your colleague does or doesn't do, the issue is your workload.
Talk to your manager about that, and don't work outside your working hours (particularly if no one asked you to).

This.

It's nothing to do with HR at this point. If your manager is crap, THAT'S what you need to speak to HR about not "my colleague is off all the time and I think she's taking the piss".

greengreyblue · 22/01/2025 06:31

Guest100 · 22/01/2025 03:58

Stop doing her work. Once it’s left undone they will start to care.

This

greengreyblue · 22/01/2025 06:32

Detail all failures to reply to messages and go to your boss with them. Ask if she is a actually wfh or off sick

Nonaynevernomore · 22/01/2025 06:48

SapphireOpal · 22/01/2025 06:29

This.

It's nothing to do with HR at this point. If your manager is crap, THAT'S what you need to speak to HR about not "my colleague is off all the time and I think she's taking the piss".

Show quote history

This.

its piss poor management.

If they are not coming to you and asking you to pick up her work, then approach them and say you’ve tried to liaise with her WFH, without success, how are they going to cover her work?

Cupofcoffeee · 22/01/2025 06:53

She told me in the last 2 years she has gotten away with doing barely any work (honestly, she doesn’t and it ends up landing on my plate!)

I have to constantly pick up all of the work for her and also she is earning a hell of a lot more money than me (she drunkenly told me at after work drinks one day). I’ve had to work late to pick up her work load.

Refuse to do her work. Only do your workload. Leave her work to pile up and don't touch it. Also go to HR and complain.

LlynTegid · 22/01/2025 07:03

Talk to your manager first and then HR if things don't improve.

UnderTheStairs51 · 22/01/2025 07:20

RickiRaccoon · 22/01/2025 03:52

Her leave and its genuineness and her pay isn't your issue to worry about, it's your manager's. Your concern is just how the leave affects you and your work so keep focused on these elements.

I'd talk to your manager before HR. Emphasise how you're very happy to pick up others' work and help out the team but are concerned about the amount it's happening recently and the effect on your own ability to manage workload and the potential to affect the quality of your output. Give specific instances where it's being dumped on you late with short timeframes. Ask if there's a plan to manage it going forward as it seems to be an ongoing issue. Focus on your concern for the team (have your got other colleagues also affected?) and meeting deadlines. I wouldn't specifically mention your colleague's name at all (to avoid sounding accusatory) unless they bring it up because they'll know who you're meaning.

Edited

This.

Excellent advice. Try not to make it personal and about her (of course it is but they will know that).

Raise concerns about workload, practice for handing things over, confusion over whether someone is there or not and the impact that has on a task.

Maintain your professionalism and you'll get the message across better than saying 'but she has five siblings '. That just gives them the easy out of 'it's a personality clash' or 'you don't work well together' which isn't what this is about.

Rocksaltrita · 22/01/2025 07:35

Go sick yourself. They’ll soon see how much you’ve been doing!

Hwi · 22/01/2025 07:37

I left a well-paid job and became self-employed because I did not want to do other's work. Only in my instance they were all mothers with little Toby's concerts - and clocked off early. We we meant to pick up their slack. It is useless to address it with the management if it had not done anything about it - the slacking is very conspicuous, you can't not see it. Leave and let them sort her shit out, not your problem.

Dish19 · 22/01/2025 07:43

Presumably your manager is already aware of this? But they’re hardly likely to be telling you how they’re dealing with it, so you either have to trust them or look for a new job.

You could talk to HR or your manager about your workload but I would leave the other colleague out of it other than pointing out that your workload is unmanageable when she’s off.

If they then can’t improve things I just wouldn’t do the extra. Don’t work late, don’t work through lunch etc unless you want to on your own projects. If there are complaints then say because x team member is off the workload is too much to get done.