I'm going to be in BIG trouble, please help !!!

[mummyloveslucy]

Hi, I work nights in a home for people with learning disabilities, my shifts are on a rota and it's different nights all the time.
I came home today to a message on the answer phone asking why I didn't come in for my night shift last night.
I didn't realise I was due in the night. I wrote my shifts down at the begginning of the month and didn't see sunday. I was staying at my mother in laws over the weekend, so wouldn't have been in to take a phone call.
I'm not sure what to do now. Should I try to think of a really good excuse (If you can think of any, that would help)or just tell the truth? I can't believe I didn't see it. I only do 2 nights usually and if I added the sunday, that would be 3 nights.
What should I do ?

tell the truth....you made a mistake, you're human.

tell the truth, that you presumed you had done your 2 and sorry didnt look at the rota as was not expecting a 3rd shift.

Are you usually very reliable? If yes, then use that too, as they will not really be able to get the arse if this is out of character. good luck fetching your P45 this weekend!

Tell the truth and apologise. Explain that you weren't at home which is why you didn't respond to the phone call.
Can you make up for it. Offer to cover an extra day or something?

Maybe the person who left the message got it wrong - when you call up say the nights you did write down and you were only scheduled for two.

It can just as easily be someone else's mistake. If you have made a mistake just apologise - hopefully if they have they will do the same.

be absolutely straightforward, open and honest. Tell them you had no idea you were due to work,and that either you forgot or there is some mistake. Point out that it would have been 3 shifts, so you are a bit confused.

You don't sound a defensive / aggressive sort of person, which is good...just don't be too sure that it is all your fault!

Assure them that you would not dream of not calling in if you knew you were due a shid=ft and couldn't make it. Discuss the way shifts are notified: do they not give you a list / letter to take home? Does your manager not check on a weekly basis who is expected in each day? I would, if I were the manager!

Yes, I'll have to be honest. I am usually very reliable. I am still on probation though. I havn't been there that long.

mummyloveslucy, generally in care work Sunday is the beginning of the week, so perhaps that is why you have 3 shifts? Either way, it is an honest mistake. As a new member of staff, it is more understandable that you would make this kind of mistake.

tell the truth. point out that it would have made too many shifts too, so that's also why you didn't double check.

Hi, just to let you know, I did tell the truth. I was very apologetic and said I couldn't believe that I didn't see it.
She was o.k about it and I haven't been sacked. I'm going to tripple check the rota in future.

Shouldn't your manager be giving you a copy of the rota, rather than relying on you seeing a copy posted somewhere?

Good to hear you still have a job.

Pleased to hear they understood, MLL.
But I do think they should give you a copy, as NN says.

mummyloveslucy, glad it went ok in the end! Do you mind me asking how you are enjoying your job? It is just that i am in the process of applying for what sounds like a similar job, although this one is all nights. Any info would be great, thanks!