AIBU to not understand why I am facing disciplinary at work for such a non-issue?

[Scarlett9004]

Hello,
My situation is this. I work in a UK company where all staff are trained to perform every role, yet in practice, particular individuals are consistently assigned only physically hard or only easy tasks-sometimes for many months in a row. I am usually given the harder ones and recently started feeling burned out by the daily grind, so a few days ago, I vented to one colleague, saying that this allocation is unfair given that we all receive the same wages, and mentioned several people who exclusively perform the easier tasks, including one Polish lady (let's call her Annie).

Yesterday, Annie’s husband (let's call him Tommy) approached me during the shift and shouted angrily, "Listen carefully! It's not your business why Annie never does physically demanding jobs. Stop gossiping about this or I will report you!" Offended by his tone, I retorted that I can speak whatever I like and that freedom of speech still exists. He turned bright red, walked away and reported me to the management. They launched an investigation, which I feel might lead to disciplinary action.

Aibu to not understand why the management are taking this so seriously? Can they really punish me even though I haven't been abusive or violent, but just complained about something that is bothering me? In Poland, Tommy would be told to bugger off with such rubbish-I know because I grew up in a neighbouring country! Also, I must note that Annie cannot be pregnant now as her duties, albeit quite light, are not pregnancy-friendly and all pregnant employees are always moved to office roles; this means she is provided with easy work purely due to favouritism.

Talking to the management is pointless, I tried to, but was rebuffed; they said that only top performers deserve lighter jobs and that I would get them only when I achieve certain targets on the harder ones, but I am struggling so much already and pushing even more is impossible! Yet they are refusing to listen to me and are consistently punishing me for being unable to achieve.

Yes, Tommy also works at the company.

I've mentioned their place of birth because I am from a country that has a border with Poland and a similar mentality; I was astounded when I found out that the management were taking action, because in our native region, you would be told not to disturb the higher ups with 'silly high school-style drama.'

Also, in cases of serious health problems, the company usually sends you home to recover instead of providing adjustments, so I suspect Annie is one of the favourites because she used to perform the harder tasks exceptionally.

There may well be medical reasons why Ann has phycially lighter details - would explain her DH reaction.

Best way to handel this would have been to go to management and discuss why your work load was always so phycical.

Anyone can talk to anyone, freedom of speech and all that. Talking about a colleague negatively to other colleagues is not on, if you have a problem with someone at work go to management don't gossip and spread rumours.

Perhaps she did well with the harder tasks so her reward is a break from that and some lighter ones. Or there’s another reason that you’re unaware of due to health/medical….

perhaps once you get through this harder part and show you can do it well, you may then get the lighter ones for a break.

I think your wisest course of action should management make this into a bigger issue is to make the focus on you and not Annie. So stress that you were frustrated by the fact that you were always given the harder tasks and you felt that this was unequally distributed. And just give Annie as an example of that. Making the focus on Annie and what duties she specifically is being given could be problematic if management are the type to make this into a bigger issue

Tommy should not be shouting angrily at you at work. I would complain to management about that.

Would it be okay to give a clue as to what the harder jobs and easier jobs are? I’m just curious as to why the jobs are split as they are.

It sounds as though the OP comes from Eastern Europe herself, coming from 'a neighbouring country', she also mentioned other people too who were on lighter duties, but 'Annie's' husband took it upon himself to try and intimidate the OP. Stop being lazy with the 'racist' labels.

OP, if you talk about your colleagues like this, there always a chance they're going to be put out. If you have a problem with the distribution of duties, you need to raise it with your manager and it needs to be on the basis of you reaching burnout from the duties you are continually undertaking, not what other people are doing.

It isn't impossible though is it, as Annie has demonstrated. Your attitude isn't coming across well on this thread. If the managers have said light duties are for the best performers you have a couple of options:- become one of the best performers or find another job.

It’s not your business as to why someone may have reasonable adjustments in the workplace. Nor do you need to be notified if they do not involve you. You should mind your business about these things, if you’re finding the work to be too hard then raise this with your manager and suggest some changes that would help you.

Yes, you have the freedom to say (most of) what you want. But don’t be surprised if people get offended and you get criticized. It doesn’t sound like you said anything terrible to be fair but I’m still not surprised that you have rocked the boat.

None of your business re Annie. You should complain if your duties are too much for you.

Go off sick immediately stating you were intimidated by Tommy and you're too scared to go into work.

Freedom of speech means that the government won’t act against you for things you say (and England does not have it and never has - the government can act against you for speech intended to incite violence, racist speech etc).

your company absolutely can take action against you for what you say

I hope this is a joke.

Be very surprised if your not sacked over this.

Having a conversation about the fairness of task allocations isn’t gossiping. The OP mentioned several employees who have a lighter workload, and specifically mentioned one in her post because that employees husband shouted at her and put in a complaint.
OP, yes, you should have gone straight to your employer about this rather than vent to a colleague - primarily because this colleague clearly doesn’t have your back as they told others what you’d said. However, I would put in a complaint about being shouted at in the workplace by another employee.
It is only fair that if someone perceives that they are being treated less favourably than colleagues on the same pay scale who are employed to do the same job then of course they’ll feel aggrieved. Perhaps the OP should be given a pay rise seeing as her job is physically more demanding.

It sounds like you were having a moan to a colleague when feeling under pressure and then the colleague has dropped you in it by gossiping. Then Tommy has shouted aggressively at you which isn't acceptable

The OP did not do what you’re suggesting. She was talking about a group of colleagues and herself, she didn’t single any one person out. That is neither gossiping nor spreading rumours, what she was talking about was a statement of fact.

You shouldn't have targeted specific individuals in you rant. You have no idea if their personal situation. If your unhappy with your allocation then talk to your manager of find another job.

I think you need to focus on your situation with the company and leave colleagues out. If you’re being treated unfairly, raise it. If you’re unable to continue doing your tasks due to exhaustion, tell management very clearly. If your company is so shit that they don’t care about fairness or exhausting their staff, look for a new job.

I don’t think it is racism to say what nationality they are.

She didn’t - she mentioned several of the employees who seem to have been given a lighter, more favourable job, than her.

So you’re both underperforming and moaning both to management and colleagues. No wonder you’re not a favourite!