Grievance

[hadenough1954]

My work colleague went off long term sick 2 years ago, we worked as a team of 2, I have been left covering both our work load.

Im contracted 35 hours but usually work 45 hours and gain TOIL for extra.

I have worked for my employer for 10 years, in a licensed and audited job.

I have approached 2 managers to try and resolve the situation by asking for help/another employee to be taken on to replace long term sick. But to date have had no success.

I have made them aware of the pressures and stress involved in my workload and no changes made.

I feel I have no option but to leave or look for another job but I don’t want too.

Im considering now putting in a formal grievance but I’m worried this will leave me worse off.

Would i be within my rights to do so?

Just stop doing the extra hours! Work your contracted hours then stop. Let the work pile up, until you do that they'll bury their head on the sand because it's easier and cheaper for them. Make it their problem.

Why don't you want to leave for another job?

I agree with YourSnugHazelTraybake

Make it their issue. They are not resolving it as they don't have a problem, all the work is still getting done.

I enjoyed the job prior so would like to stay but it’s getting near impossible to stay.

It’s very difficult to do as the responsibility lies with me and my performance. I’m not sure if doing this would benefit me or cause me more stress.

Ime ifind that it appears to be less stressful to leave for another job, than take out a grievance

Thank you all, I think grievance is the only way forward and may not even make any difference.

I don’t want to have to leave my job but feeling no other options, I’ve been fobbed off by various managers, as stated, they see me doing the work so why change things.

List your work and say you don't have the hours to complete it so which do they want you to prioritise.

Then failing to complete what they didn't prioritise surely cannot reflect in your performance?

Keep a log of what you do all day. How long each task took, how much time you spent in the toilet, walking to the printer, every little thing Then stop working at your finish time each day and wait for the questions.

Honesty you need to stop doing the extra work. Document that you e been doing over the hours and you cannot continue to do this (emails) as you have previously stated.

10 extra hours and the extra stress over 2 years is awful.

Woildnt bother with the grievance. Maybe get some advice from hr/ union on writing.

But ultimately they’ve been happy to have you do this for 2 years and not listened to you. I’m not sure why you still want to work there? I’d be job hunting for sure x

Thank you all for messaging. I’m just gutted that it has come to this.

It took so long to train for my role and get where I am and I feel like I’ve been taken for a mug.

Yet we have employees who start at 9 yet waltz in the door at 10.30 every working day. They don’t cover the extra time, it just seems to be something that is accepted in the workplace.Management know this and don’t do anything.

So demoralising .

@hadenough1954 one other thing to try. Instead of working what is essentially two jobs, every time you reach a decision point, involve your manager.

Do this by emailing our phoning and saying something like "I have these two things to do, but I only have time for one. The other was usually done by 'insert long term sick person's name'. Which should I do, and which should I drop?"

This way you are still covering your work, and ensuring that business priorities are met, but you are making it a management problem in a less confrontational way than a grievance. You would also be defending yourself from future accusations.

As others have said, you are allowing the management to take the path of least resistance, which is to let you burn yourself out.

You’ve said you feel unable to only work your hours.

So when are you taking the 40 hours per month toil that you are earning?

Good question as I am currently waiting for approval of TOIL time (3 days) off, my Manager is considering this 😂😂 I’ve been waiting 1 week, due off next week, cancelled my first appointment on Monday as if I don’t get approval I have to pay a fee.

You know the more I write the more it is hitting me I’ve been completely bonkers!!

You have!
But in a well meaning, it’s good for the company, good for you, colleagues etc.

An email to line management saying you’re only going to be able to do a couple of hours a week from May and ( as a pp suggested ) you’ll be needing them to prioritise your work so the most important stuff is tackled first.