To tell my colleague it’s not my problem she hates her work life balance

[Msarah]

I have compressed my hours to have a full day off on Monday. An older colleague has been making passive aggressive comments about this saying that it's unfair that I get to take Monday off. She says that she would love to take Monday off. However, she has too much work to complete.

She has also made comments about how she couldn't work so long every day and that it's probably ineffective, and that doing compressed hours ‘isn’t really working properly’ and how she is always doing extra hours to keep up with the workload.

These remarks irritate me because I continue to work full-time hours, and my workload hasn't decreased. I have one of the highest workloads in the team and definitely more than her. I also do extra hours if there is an urgent deadline.

Aibu to say that if she chooses to work extra hours and hates her work life balance, it is not my problem? Our line manager would not have approved my request if it wasn't suitable for the team. She also has the option to request compressed hours but chooses not to.

I would try to ignore her. There's nothing to be gained by indulging her grievances imo

She’s wrong but you’d make the situation worse by telling her that.

I wouldn’t engage with it to be honest. Take the high road and ignore her. Maybe an occasional ‘Yes, you said’ in a vague manner.

If she says this to your face, just say, 'it works for me, and my boss is happy that I am getting the work done. I just don't chat much during the day'. Then go back to your work.

'I work the same amount of hours you do.'

Every. Time.

why would op make it worse by saying something? twats like this get away with saying what they want because they aren't confronted enough.

op I would go with what Winterfoxes has suggested, saying you don't waste time chatting much and get on with work. The penny might drop...

This

Just ignore the jealous cow.

Say to her that you're thinking of compressing further and tell us what she says

"Oh dear" rinse and repeat.

"You seem to have a problem with my working arrangements. Would you care to explain it to me? Or perhaps you'd like to take it to our manager?"

I'm afraid I'd find it so irritating that I'd have to challenge her

She sounds bitter and jealous. I'd nod and smile whilst continuing to work, she might be trying to goad you.

My answer would be ‘if you spent as much time working as you do whinging then you could probably have 2 days off a week!’ And watch her head implode.

but that’s why I can’t work with people 😂

I think that's great... and I like working with people 🤣

I would also challenge her
’i work the same number of hours as you.
Maybe you could compress your hours too?!’

She’s being a martyr, and sounds inefficient to boot.

I would just agree with everything she says…

Her: I wish I could take Mondays off
You: Do it then, ask our manager if you can.
Her: Oh I can’t, I have far too much work on
You: Don’t do it then.

“You’re not my manager - I don’t need your approval. My ACTUAL manager HAS approved this.”

Don't bother pussyfooting around. Tell it to her straight.

I like this:) but irl I would say I worked more hours and if she has an issue to take it up with hr/ her line manager.

Then I would suggest to hr and my line manager they hold a compulsory attendance chat on compressed hours and how its actually much more stressful. It's not an extra day off!

“I still work full time, just in a different way to you. Longer hours across four days. It works for me.”

Then if she continues just repeat and repeat.

"Sarcastic laugh, oh Doris, not that old chestnut again" and repeat...

I think you’re giving this far too much head space. It really doesn’t matter what she thinks and says does it? Unless you’re interpreting it as bullying behaviour.

I’d not be passive aggressive etc, as folks are suggesting. I’d be all cheery and say “oh I love it.manager is delighted how the work is being done, and god those long weekends, bliss. Poor you”. Every time. Grin like a shit eating idiot whilst your doing it.