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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Boss annoyed/upset I don't want to spend my days off with him

330 replies

gherkinsaplenty · 03/07/2022 13:16

NC as I don't want this linking to my other posts.
I started working for an elderly widower a few months ago. It's been great because it fits around the kids and is within walking distance.
From the start he's asked about days out with me and the kids. I've never agreed to anything and have gently said no thank you. He wants to pay for everything and there's just so much that makes me feel uncomfortable.
He tells me far too much information about his marriage to his late wife including about their sex life.
He tells me inappropriate jokes that ex work mates have told him along with lots of inappropriate stories about them and their infidelities.
He drinks heavily and drives the next morning as well as back from the pub.
He makes me feel like I need to justify doing things that's just me and the kids.
He's always offering me lifts and I won't accept because he's bloody dangerous when I have been in the car with him. He's hit 3 vehicles lately and not even noticed, pulls out without indicating, pulls out in front of moving traffic. I'm stressed thinking he's going to need me to go somewhere with him.
I'm working at his home essentially doing a house clearance before he moves into a retirement apartment next year. I really enjoy the work but I'm getting/got the serious ick about him and feel uncomfortable.
Despite saying I could work around the kids and not during the holidays he expects me to take them with me to his and wants me to work every day of the summer holidays. I've told him no and he's almost sulking. The dc have got an inset day tomorrow and we are off out for the day. He's upset because he thought he could take us out somewhere and was looking forward to it even though I never said yes to his invitation. He keeps grumbling about it and making out I've let him down. He has his own grown up dc and a few grandchildren and I know he's lonely but I don't want to be spending my days off with my boss. I'm a carer for a family member too and between my dc and caring I don't have much time to do anything. He phones me every day at least twice including on my days off and there are numerous texts too. I've now switched off my voicemail service and adjusted my phone to only allow certain people to contact me outside of work hours. I only do 12 hours a week or so but with the frequent phone calls and voicemails and texts it's more like 18 hours. I'm a single parent and the money has been great but I feel like jacking it in now. I feel so uncomfortable with it all. Despite being totally inappropriate he is very kind and generous and funny and I have enjoyed the job but this latest sulk over a day out and me saying no to going away with him in the summer has tipped me over into dreading work now. He's said to stop messaging him and let the dust settle. I'm here thinking there's no dust to settle, I just told him thank you but no. I'm autistic and get things wrong so often with navigating situations. I hate confrontation too and I'm annoyed he's doing this.
How do I keep things professional?

OP posts:
greenalltheway · 03/07/2022 21:18

A little suggestion to take a photograph of the items you return - of where they have been left and then a video of the keys in your hand and posting them through the letterbox, then trying the door handle to prove it is locked.

That way you have plenty of evidence should he try to make any accusations.

LookItsMeAgain · 03/07/2022 21:29

AttilaTheMeerkat · 03/07/2022 20:44

Do not JADE this individual I,e justify, argue, defend or explain. The letter needs to be brief and to the point.

Dear inappropriate man

I wish to tender my resignation with immediate effect. No further correspondence will be entered into.

yours sincerely

gherkins

I'd agree with this and say something like "Do not attempt to contact me or any member of my family. Our arrangement is now ended, effective immediately."

gherkinsaplenty · 03/07/2022 21:30

I've printed out my original but added about enclosing the keys. He leaves his house unlocked most of the time. I feel sorry for his kids who will now have to take on a lot of the work although I think he will have to get professionals in. One of his dc is hundreds of miles away, and two have severe mental health conditions. I know this isn't my problem but this is how my mind works with lots of ruminations over things and questioning myself. He has been very kind but as has been pointed out this has possibly or probably been with a motive.

OP posts:
gherkinsaplenty · 03/07/2022 21:51

Ok, all parcelled up and ready to go. He will be totally baffled. He genuinely won't understand because I think he's convinced himself of this being more than it was despite nothing from me to give him that impression. He's got plenty of money so he can afford professional services. My voicemail is already switched off so he can't leave messages but I will block his number too. He's on android so he'll have no idea that he's blocked. I have a ring doorbell and my doors are always locked as you can't open them from the outside without a key. I could kick myself over this.

OP posts:
NigellaAwesome · 03/07/2022 22:01

I would suggest the following:

Dear inappropriate man,

After careful consideration, I have come to the decision that I will no longer be able to continue working on your house clearance.

My decision is not up for discussion, so I would be grateful if you could respect that and do not contact me.

I enclose the keys for your house.

Best wishes for the future,

Gherkins

WingingItSince1973 · 03/07/2022 22:11

He doesn't sound safe to be around if you're the only other one in the house. For the sake of a few weeks extra money I would leave. Message him. Then cut contact, block him etc. If he's moving to a residential soon he will then have others to socialise with. He sounds very creepy and I would also report him for the drink driving.

WingingItSince1973 · 03/07/2022 22:13

EvenMoreFuriousVexation · 03/07/2022 15:17

He is grooming you OP and in turn would groom your DC if given access.

Listen to your instincts here. I strongly suggest just resigning with immediate effect. You owe this man nothing - his behaviour is undoubtedly the reason his family stay away.

This is what I should have said. Please cut contact

gherkinsaplenty · 03/07/2022 22:22

Delivered. Blocked. Phew!

OP posts:
beautyisthefaceisee · 03/07/2022 22:26

gherkinsaplenty · 03/07/2022 22:22

Delivered. Blocked. Phew!

Well done. Please continue to use us as support!

AnyFucker · 03/07/2022 22:34

🥳

Bunce1 · 03/07/2022 22:36

amazing well done xx

CPL593H · 03/07/2022 22:41

You've done the right thing. if he does come round, don't engage with him and do not be afraid to say that you will go to the police if he persists.

billy1966 · 03/07/2022 22:50

Well done OP.

StressedOutMumBex · 03/07/2022 23:01

thats great OP, now forget him and dont waste any more time considering him, he is not your problem. Best of luck getting a new job quickly.

gherkinsaplenty · 03/07/2022 23:08

My friend stayed with the kids while I went. He was in so I posted and legged it. I'm such a coward.

OP posts:
wellhelloitsme · 03/07/2022 23:13

gherkinsaplenty · 03/07/2022 23:08

My friend stayed with the kids while I went. He was in so I posted and legged it. I'm such a coward.

You posted it while he was there, you're not a coward you're brave!!

unname · 03/07/2022 23:52

Good job! You must feel so relieved!

billy1966 · 03/07/2022 23:54

gherkinsaplenty · 03/07/2022 23:08

My friend stayed with the kids while I went. He was in so I posted and legged it. I'm such a coward.

You are not.

There is no discussion to be had.

Job done.

gherkinsaplenty · 04/07/2022 00:23

I'm sat here berating myself for not saying something about his behaviour before. I just ignored it really or didn't engage much with the conversations he tried to have. Like a child who is trying to get your attention by being naughty and you ignore it or say words to the effect of that's nice dear and steer the conversation in a different direction. Do I want to hear about his viagra prescription that he still gets from the GP despite being very recently widowed? No! Why would I need to k ow anything like that unless he was telling me he was quite literally up for it? No way would he have had those conversations with a professional company or a male assistant. He wouldn't have asked a male assistant and his kids to go on holiday with him for a start. I deliberately didn't tell him it was my birthday a while back as I thought he'd try to kiss me happy birthday and buy me a gift. Physical affection and gifts are my idea of hell unless from my dc and mum.
I'm feeling guilty and trying to tell myself I don't owe him anything. It was a casual job that is no longer tenable. His house is not my problem and neither is he. I'm too nice. I always look to the good ones people often at my own expense. I need to read The Dominator the women's centre sent me to refresh my memory. I've not had this from a non-intimate partner and I think that's what threw me.
I really appreciate all the advice and support here, thank you.

OP posts:
LiesDoNotBecomeUs · 04/07/2022 00:43

Don't berate yourself - you have been strong.
Well done - I hope that he is offended into sulking for the rest of his days and that you hear no more from him.

gherkinsaplenty · 04/07/2022 01:38

@LiesDoNotBecomeUs that's made me laugh thank you🤣 I've just reread the thread and feel much better. I need to be up in 5 hours and I'd better get some sleep if possible or I'll be good for nothing tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who has posted here. I always doubt myself and worry I've got things wrong or am being too sensitive or ridiculous or taking things the wrong way. This thread has reassured me that my gut is spot on with this. Yuck.

OP posts:
gherkinsaplenty · 04/07/2022 07:56

I woke up feeling relieved this morning. A little anxious that he might come round but generally relief. No longer will I have to justify myself.

OP posts:
feelingfree17 · 04/07/2022 09:05

You are clearly a lovely person. I know this wouldn’t have been easy for you. Well done. Enjoy your day 💐

LookItsMeAgain · 04/07/2022 09:06

If he does try to come around, or in his mind 'make amends', ignore as much as you can but don't be afraid to say to him "I said in my letter that the arrangement was ended. What part of that do you not understand? I cannot work for you any more. If you persist in this repeated unwanted attention, I will be left with no option but to contact the police and register this as stalking, now please leave me and my family alone!"

RockinHorseShit · 04/07/2022 09:27

Fuck him off & take no shit, he is a nasty manipulative creep

Dear I will not be coming back to work on your property as I am fed up of your massively inappropriate behaviour & unhealthy interest in my kids. Please do not contact me again, ever, or I will take steps to ensure that you are brought to justice for your creepy & inappropriate behaviour.