Problems at work- Advice please
Problems at work- Advice please
Author
Discussion

A.T. Ninchcock

Original Poster:

128 posts

233 months

Monday 3rd June 2013
quotequote all
Ok, need some advice as I'm about to lose my cool at work (sorry in advance for the long post!)...

I've worked for my current employer for the past five years. The first three-ish were fantastic, the last two not so much!
Me and my direct line manager don't like each other (no big deal, you cant like everybody!) but as he's my boss he still gets my respect, however for the last two years I feel he's just taking advantage of his position.

We work on a shift like basis (early, days and lates) and spilt them between us. In theory that means that with six people in total each person should do one late shift every six weeks. So far this year I've done six. We also do a duty/standby system at the weekends. We dont get paid extra for this but we do get our days back during the week. Now since the day I started, the duty crew had the Thursday/Friday back for the Saturday/Sunday and the standby crew get the Monday/Tuesday (only if your called in though, if you dont get called in... tough.). For clarity, we don't get paid any extra for it.

This weekend I was standby and had to work both days so it was Monday/Tuesday off for me... Or so I thought! 1600 tody I get a text message from my line manager asking "what time are you starting?". What the fk? I phoned him back to ask what he meant to be told "you should have been in today... you work for us not the other way round... you don't run this company...blah, blah..". Fair enough, minor mix up I thought. Maybe I should have taken the days at the end of the week? Nope. Looks like I haven't to take my time back at all this week as I've to do another back shift.

So, regarding the shifts, everybody bar one guy (teachers pet! Haha) does their fair share (he's done one and a half weeks this year!!) although I seem to do most (recorded). Same goes for the weekend work.

In tomorrow for an "attitude adjustment" with the line manager. Do I have any argument?

I've read this back and it does sound like petty bks but it's causing major stress at home (two year old kid and wife that I very rarely get time with...).

Thanks in advance guys, A.T.

sunoco69

5,274 posts

194 months

Monday 3rd June 2013
quotequote all
I would ask the following questions in this order:

1. Did he call the last guy that worked the weekend and took Monday off?

2. If not then why did you call me?

3. Why did you wait until 16:00hrs to call me?

4. Can I book an interview with your boss please as you aren't playing with a level deck and I wish to go higher. Oh and because your a dick! (not in those words).

A.T. Ninchcock

Original Poster:

128 posts

233 months

Monday 3rd June 2013
quotequote all
Thanks for replying!

Those were some of the questions I was going to ask... Just wanted to make sure I'm not the in this situation! I'm afraid my breaking point has been reached... Time to let rip!

Cheers, A.T.

dingg

4,536 posts

248 months

Tuesday 4th June 2013
quotequote all
Just whip your pants off lay it on the table and ask him if he can match you

game set and match!

getmecoat

sunoco69

5,274 posts

194 months

Tuesday 4th June 2013
quotequote all
So how did it go?

base

321 posts

209 months

Tuesday 4th June 2013
quotequote all
The OP will never deliver.................... welcome to the internet

A.T. Ninchcock

Original Poster:

128 posts

233 months

Tuesday 4th June 2013
quotequote all
Nothing happened today I'm afraid! He seemed to stay well clear of me the whole day (bonus!), but I reckon I'll be in the office on Friday for said "attitude adjustment" (he's off for two days!! The fking irony!!)!

Even though this is "the Internet" I'll keep you posted. ;-)

happychap

545 posts

177 months

Tuesday 4th June 2013
quotequote all
Insist that this meeting include his direct manager so you can clarify why in your opinion you are being treated less favourably then your colleagues. Get this issue out in the open and see how he justifies his actions.

elanfan

5,527 posts

256 months

Wednesday 5th June 2013
quotequote all
or your union rep

sunoco69

5,274 posts

194 months

Wednesday 5th June 2013
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
What they said. Get your bosses boss in!

A.T. Ninchcock

Original Poster:

128 posts

233 months

Wednesday 5th June 2013
quotequote all
elanfan said:
or your union rep
No union I'm afraid! I'll be going with the advice given re: getting the big boss involved..

A.T.

STW2010

5,918 posts

191 months

Wednesday 5th June 2013
quotequote all
I would send an email to your boss requesting this meeting to discuss 'misunderstanding over time in lieu', saying that you are proactively following up his suggestion of a meeting from your phone call and state that you will require his manager to attend the meeting (copy this guy in).

You could even refer to a desire to discuss policies on shift rotation.

I wouldn't point fingers or add any emotion at this stage, but go in there with the facts written down- more so that you remember to cover them all.

Timbergiant

995 posts

159 months

Wednesday 5th June 2013
quotequote all
If you're not in a union get in one, the strikes that get on the news give unions a bad name but they are very good on things like this.
If any meeting is being planned as others have said have a rep with you and his manager there too, get the air clear and rota or contracted time firmly agreed.

Sounds very annoying, good luck.

SLCZ3

1,292 posts

234 months

Thursday 6th June 2013
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How about betting the "meeting" will be put off again, sounds like there is some political agenda here, get a meeting arranged with your boss/his boss and thrash it out soonest.

elanfan

5,527 posts

256 months

Friday 7th June 2013
quotequote all
What happened today then OP?

SLCZ3

1,292 posts

234 months

Tuesday 18th June 2013
quotequote all
Yeah!!!! so what happened then mate??