AIBU to stop covering my job-share partner's time off?

[JobShareDrama]

I job share with a woman at work. We both work 2 days each. I’ve covered for her a few times when she had child care issues during school holidays, but never had her cover for me yet.

I asked her in Jan to cover my 2 week holiday in July and she agreed. A few days ago she sent me a list of all the days and weeks she needs me to cover. I agreed to them, even though it’s not convenient for me, as she’s covering for me.

I agreed to them all, and on doing so she immediately sent me a return message saying she can no longer cover my holiday, leaving me in the lurch.

So, I’ve covered for her multiple times, and she’s not once returned the favour.

I feel like saying I’m not doing her dates then, but then this will pretty much ring the death bell on a cordial working relationship. TBH I’m sick of being a peacekeeper and mug to people.

AIBU to from henceforth just say I’m not free to cover her days off?

DONT BE A MUG - withdraw your offer.

I would actually be quite blunt with this person, but in a polite way so that she knows that I'm not blind to the disparity between us. I would tell her that I'm disappointed that she won't cover for me considering all the times I have covered for her, and this is the very first time I have asked her to cover for me. Then I'd tell her honestly that I'm not prepared for one-way favours and helping those who never want to help me back, so I won't be covering for her any longer - including over the summer.

On our team there are job sharers that cover each others leave. So they verbally agree together, then say to manager who sits nearby; X has agreed to cover my leave on these days, I’m submitting the official holiday request now. Then its approved by manager on the leave system, so it’s set in stone.

how’s it work with you op, where’s your manager in this, they need to intervene if things are not being handled in a fair way? Your co-worker is a CF!! So when she said she’d cover, how was this documented? Surely you would tell your manager she’s covering, and then u officially booked your dates with them? So CF letting u down is no longer a you problem as management had already agreed the leave? They need to talk to her

I have people who job share on our team and there is no expectation to cover each other as they are employed on a “part time” basis

we ask them if they want overtime to backfill this but generally people work part time because they want to work part time - one lady will do a little bit extra but she’s a single parent so relies on others to then do school runs etc

are you “expected” to do this??? I’m not sure legally they can enforce this

I think there’s a lot to be said for just being as barefaced back, you don’t have a working relationship. There’s nothing to work through, and no benefit from trying to explain your feelings. Just go . ‘Hi X, I rechecked my calendar and apologies but I can’t cover any of the days you’ve asked me for. I hope you can work something out.’ Done.

and tell management you booked your holiday, she’s just withdrawn cover but you will still be taking it, they will have to sort something.

I'm not sure why you're obliged to stand by dates you've agreed to, when she isn't obliged to do so too?
You already don't have a mutually beneficial arrangement, just say that unfortunately on reviewing her dates you are no longer able to provide cover. End of.

Cancel the dates you have agreed as something has come up and it’s not convenient now.

she can’t have it all

Perfect!!

Is it in your contract to have to find cover for your own annual leave?

Does your contract not provide for what should happen re cover?

YANBU but it’s your employer’s problem really, you have to be able to take holidays, how work is covered is on them

like others am confused by the expectation for one of you to work more days when the other takes leave.

Does your employer agree to & pay you overtime for that?

How many working days extra (overtime) have you worked during her annual leave?

I’d be annoyed by her handling of her requests to you then pulling out of her previous commitment to overtime. Poor of her!

What happens if she doesn't cover you? I'm guessing you have your holiday approved and booked officially already. Sounds like a manager issue. Just say you won't be able to cover her and let management deal with cover for both of you.

What happens if she doesn't cover you? I'm guessing you have your holiday approved and booked officially already. Sounds like a manager issue. Just say you won't be able to cover her and let management deal with cover for both of you.

This! It's quite simple. If it's ok for her to back out last moment, it's ok for you too.
Don't be a doormat. It's great to have a good relationship at work, help each other out but she's not interested in that part. She's a taker only.

Speak to your line manager about the situation and explain that it’s not working for you. It may be agreed that the other is not needed to cover? Or they might have a word with her.

Exactly this. You won't be ruining anything. I'd do exactly as others have suggested and say you've just realised you've double booked and can no longer help.

If we work each others days we get paid for the extra hours. If I take it off, I get paid holiday.

You are right that the manager needs to sort it out. TBH I’m getting annoyed with her attitude toward me in general (she seems to think we are in a competition of who’s better at the job) and it’s tiresome. It seems a bit “ha ha, I’ve got one over you”.

She has left me in the lurch, but I now no longer care. The manager can sort it.

I’m definitely not going to cover at short notice for her anymore, or for her days off, the manager can sort it. I’m not sure about the dates I’ve agreed to. On one hand I know I’m being taken for a mug, on the other I’ll earn more, and I’ve said I’ll do it.

Whilst I am a mug, she’s also stupid. You’d think she’d want me on side, since I’ve done her so many favours. She seems to go to great lengths to get other people at work on her side, but the person she works closest with - me, she seems to view me as a threat and now she’s pissed me off.

Banking on your good nature, call her out.

She hasn’t left you in the lurch OP, she’s left her employers in the lurch
Big difference

Why are you covering each other's time off? How does a full timer's days off get covered?

If you want the extra money, just let her think she's 'won' this time, but if it's not convenient, I wouldn't honour the agreement. She changed it first, so it's no longer valid.

Your manager should be arranging cover. Don’t do her any more favours.

I don’t see covering as a favour to your job share partner. It is a favour to your employer.

It also gives you the opportunity to earn more money, which some people would be very keen to do. You clearly aren’t, which is absolutely your right (assuming there is nothing in your contract that says you have to cover).

If your JS partner no longer wants to cover your leave, that doesn’t leave you in the lurch at all. You will still have your holiday. It leaves your employer in the lurch and your line manager will have to make other arrangements.

Does it cause you any problems if she won't cover you? If so, then obviously make clear this is a reciprocal arrangement only from now on. But if it doesn't, and you want the extra money, I wouldn't let her attitude prevent me from working the hours that best suit me.

Say that you are unable to cover for her unless the arrangement is reciprocal. She is a cf of the highest order.