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Original poster

I'm a sad evil cow!

67 replies

whooOOOoooOOOpsfallenoveragain · 25/10/2006 21:28

Our receptionist phoned in sick today after not being allowed to go home early yesterday we expected it!
She has a second job in a social club and I have just been sad enough to drive past it to see if her car was there.
It was but I don't think there is anyway of proving it to anyone anyway
My boss suspects that she would be there though

OP posts:
Jimjams2 · 25/10/2006 23:03

So give her a pay rise so she doesn't need 2 jobs! OK if someone is allways pulling sickies it is cause to grumble, but you can't complain about someone haviing 2 jobs. Persumably she needs the 2nd job!!

Jimjams2 · 25/10/2006 23:04

expat you've made me laugh out loud again on this thread

Original poster
whooOOOoooOOOpsfallenoveragain · 25/10/2006 23:04

No Not yet.
the trouble is the MD can be quite soft with her he kind of seems to treat her a bit like a daughter (she gets away with talking to him like he was her father)

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Original poster
whooOOOoooOOOpsfallenoveragain · 25/10/2006 23:05

Jimjams - she was given a payrise not so long ago too

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lulumama · 25/10/2006 23:05

well...i would leave her to it!! if she's got the MD wrapped around her little finger...nowt you can do about it ! relax..do your job and let her get on with it!

LadyHeatherMillsMcCartney · 25/10/2006 23:06

Sorry - thought this thread was about me.

MwaHaHappyDaddy · 27/10/2006 11:24

If her work is suffering, of course she'll be defensive. She probably thinks everyone's watching her as she's knackered from two jobs. Her social life is as private to her as your is to you.

If you've real concerns, speak to her. If her work is affected that much then HR should be speaking to her. If the boss asks you to stalk her again, say NO. Common sense?

Greensleeves · 27/10/2006 11:26

Isn't it illegal to follow someone around in your car? The police told us it was sufficient grounds for a caution when we had an "incident" a few months back.

I wouldn't do that again if I were you, it could backfire.

Agree with those who have expressed sympathy for the poor girl, working two jobs is gruelling and nobody would do it unless they really needed the money.

expatinscotland · 27/10/2006 11:29

Actually, I think it'd be better if the boss just sacked her.

Then maybe she can find a work place w/people who actually had lives.

'she is also our main typist this week'

And she has a cold.

God forbid she take off sick for that.

xena · 27/10/2006 11:36

I always think that you go to work do your job and go home, if some else makes it difficult to do your job then you just do the best you can.

xena · 27/10/2006 11:37

work to live not live to work and all that

Marina · 27/10/2006 11:37

I feel for you Whoops - I know what it is like covering for someone on a regular basis whose performance is not up to scratch because they have a second job. Not funny, is it.
I think you have got to put aside your personal feelings about her social life and focus objectively on whether her second (evening?) job is affecting her reception work to the extent that it could be a disciplinary matter.
What does it say about second jobs in your contracts? A lot of bigger employers make it a condition of employment that full-time workers must not take on an additional job without telling them first.
I'd agree with HappyDaddy - pass this to HR who can be objective, and don't be drawn into dubious stuff like checking up on her.

Marina · 27/10/2006 11:39

xena, I agree with you in principle, but in practice, in small teams in a service-based work environment, your own pride in the work you do is compromised if you don't cover for colleagues. As with life in general there is always going to be a small minority of individuals who take advantage of that kind of ethos.

LadyDooM · 28/10/2006 15:58

whooOOOoooOOOpsfallenoveragain- I don't really think its considered stalking, and I know it must be frustrating for you. But no matter where you work theres always going to be 1 person that will drive you insane..

Especially when their frequent absences cause you to have double the work. If she is doing as you say , then I doubt you will have to worry much longer because Im sure your boss will eventually tire of this and figure it will be better to hire someone that can actually do the job without calling in sick constantly

Original poster
whooOOOoooOOOpsfallenoveragain · 28/10/2006 17:09

I don't think I was stalking as I had to go past the social club to get home anyway.
She did phone in sick the next day but did come in on Friday.
I think the partners are going to be speaking to her anyway about her work levels especially after one of the partners having a complaint about important papers not being enclosed with a letter.
As I said before I don't think my op came out as it meant to so I am leaving it now

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 28/10/2006 17:18

In your OP you say you drove past the social club to 'see if her car was there'. That and the thread title implies you made the trip specifically to check up on her.

Later in the thread you say you did so at the request of your supervisor.

Now you say you had to go past the social club on your way home anyway.

You must work pretty late, b/c in your OP you say you have 'just been sad enough to drive past' and the post is at 9.28PM.

expatinscotland · 28/10/2006 17:19

There's also the fact that you're still upset over the actions of the receptionist days and days later.

Yeah . . . okay . . .

Flamesparrow · 28/10/2006 17:22

Just leave whoops alone - I think its all gone confuddled.

She is a lovely lady, and I have never noticed any stalking tendencies.

Sometimes a thread just starts wrong and gets progressively worse no matter how much you try and explain yourself (like on Thurs when everyone seemed to think I was planning to kill my children...)

Flamesparrow · 28/10/2006 17:23

That came out a bit more aggressive than planned...

Original poster
whooOOOoooOOOpsfallenoveragain · 28/10/2006 17:24

No it is on my way past the gym I go to. If I wanted to work late I do so from home.
I was asked to have a look as I went past the social club instead of not taking any notice as I wasn't aware that it was there until Wednesday
I'm also not still upset about her actions I am off for a few days now and couldn't give a stuff now for a few days

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Original poster
whooOOOoooOOOpsfallenoveragain · 28/10/2006 17:24

Thanks Flame

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expatinscotland · 28/10/2006 17:25

Whatever.

whyrulikethis · 28/10/2006 17:51

I dont think you are a sad evil cow

whyrulikethis · 28/10/2006 17:53

I dont like expats tone to you on this thread. I usually keep my opinions to myself and i am a regular. But she did not need to pick on you like that regardless of what this thread is about. If i was a newcomer i would be afraid to post because of the way some people just jump at you and contradict what you are trying to say. Expatr you should be giving whoopas an apology dont you think?

SamhainWitch · 28/10/2006 17:55

expat, like everyone elso on this board, is entitled to post her opinion.