Bit F*cked off with work atm.......

[HRHQueenOfQuotes]

had a staff meeting for the night staff this afternoon (all 4 of us LOL). Lots of things covered nothing particularly pertaining to me (I think anyhow). When we were asked if we had anything else to say I thought I'd just thank the other 3 night staff for being so fabulous over the last few weeks when I've been feeling like sht and exhausted (for those that don't know - I'm 10 weeks pg). Basically they've been doing more than their fair share of the cleaning and domestic stuff around the house - although I've still been getting all the residents up in the morning that I should be.

Manager (who was also there) said "oh yes, I was going to ask to speak to you about that, a few of the staff, including day ones, have complained that your standards have dropped and you've been rather slack". I told her that I was no (thankfully) starting to feel much better and would pull my weight with my share of the work again. I don't personally believe that my 'standards' have dropped - I just haven't been able to do all the 'extra' bits that need doing.

She said that if I was struggling on nights then I'd have to talk to her, and she would consider putting me on days. I'm NOT going onto days

a) there's no way I could get up in the morning for the 7-3 shifts

b) there's no way my wages would cover the childcare costs - DH works from 1pm (ish) until 9pm - and if I was doing the afternoon shift (3-10) I'd need childcare for that.

Basically I feel like they're taking the pss. I worked 50 extra hours last month - because we're so short staffed and I worked extra the month before - and have already worked nearly 20 extra this month........then I get told my "standards" aren't good enough atm..........

[HRHQueenOfQuotes]

right off to tidy up too - thank you

[Uwilalalalalala]

I'm with Colitz. Look after yourself, HRH. No lifting anything heavier than a toddler. The reason for this is that your ligaments get soft and stretchy during pregnancy, and so if you lift heavy things you can do permanent damage to your ligaments. This is bad and surely not worth risking at this silly job who doesn't appreciate the real effort required to pull your weight when you are pregnant.

And if you ignore this advice and lift anyway, make sure you lift with knees bent and back straight (but you probably know this).

[arfishymeau]

Is it a private care home HRH?

Don't forget that they are the company - they make profits and as an employer they know what their obligations are.

It's really easy to fall into a trap of 'helping out' and putting in extra effort - but IME it never pays back (and I know this sounds awful, but I've put in the extra effort with lots of large companies and still been shafted) - look at where you are now. You put in the extra effort, you've slowed down to 'normal' because you're pg and you're being chastised for it.

Your extra hours and extra effort put extra cash into the company. Part and parcel of being an employer is taking responsibility for employing people, and that includes appropriate treatment of pregnant women.

I know this is a bit of a rant, but it annoys me so much to see people taken advantage of. They are in the wrong and you should stop letting them take advantage of you.

[HRHQueenOfQuotes]

thanks - have to say I'm feeling a bit more positive today. My "standards" may have dropped in the last few weeks (while I've been feeling like sht) but I'm feeling more human now - and I'll bl*dy well show 'em what I'm made of .

Have to say part of me feeling better stems from going into work today to see my NVQ assessor. While I was there I was browsing in the staff diary - where messages for all staff are left.

One read "please make sure back door is locked at all times, xxxxxx got out today and was found on xxxxx road".

I was reading it - and was really shocked about it - showed a colleague (who works occasional nights, cleans, cooks and works other day shifts too) and she said "who's that". She's a completely dizzy woman who doesn't seem to have a clue about caring. Ok this xxxxx has only been in the home for 2 1/2 weeks - but you'd think that someone that works almost everyday for at least 2/3hrs would know a new resident by now.

Made me realise that perhaps I'm not doing so badly.......

[Uwilalalalalala]

Another thing in case you don't know it, find out which weeks are used to determine your maternity pay and work some extra hours in those weeks... boost up your 90% anyway.

[HRHQueenOfQuotes]

Uwila - not sure if I can be bothered doing that - it's bl**dy hard work doing extra night shifts - really takes it out of you - and wrecks what little 'family' time we have together at the moment LOL.

[Bozza]

I was a little concerned to read this:

"but I'm feeling more human now - and I'll bl**dy well show 'em what I'm made of"

Be careful qoq. Think about what you are doing and don't overdo it.

[HRHQueenOfQuotes]

Bozza - don't worry I won't overdo it - I know my limits - that's why I "let" my colleagues do a slightly higher proportion of the work load in the last few weeks.

And when I was pg with DS2 I was putting up flat pack furniture - 2 large bookcases, a chest of drawers and 2 bedside cabinets all on the same afternoon.......I stopped short of the triple wardrobe as I knew it would be too much for me

[Uwilalalalalala]

HRH, how are you now? Things improved at work?

Remember that you are also entitled topaid time off for doc aappointments, ante-natal classes, midwife apptments, physio, etc.

[HRHQueenOfQuotes]

I was asleep in bed when you posted to ask Uwila - was at work last night.

Well the girl I was on with last night and I were having a good laugh last ngiht - talking about the staff meeting and how everything that had been 'brought up' in it was really just about me or her.

So...............she spent 1 1/2hrs cleaning the lounge and dining room, moving all the chairs to hoover under them etc etc (apparently one of the 'problems' is the cleanliness of the home has gone down.....and supposedly that's all down to us LOL). Changed the table cloths and all the other stuff, And I spent over 1hr cleaning the 3 bathrooms which we have to do on nights too - EVERYTHING got cleaned - the place stunk of flash and furniture polish by the time we'd done with that .

I "only" got 4 up to do (as opposed to the maximum I could have of got up which is 6) but I made sure I spent AGES with them and did an immaculate job. She and I both 'checked' each others jobs that we'd done to make sure there was nothing that could be 'picked up' on and I think we both agreed when we left if they find ANYTHING to bring us up on about last night then they can p*ss off LOL.