I need a rant about work

Aqui · I need a rant about work

Probably just my hormones speaking today, but I'm fed up with work today.

Why is it that when I am off no one else does my work (either when I'm off sick, have leave or on days I don't work - I'm part time). I feel often like I'm expected to do a full time job in fewer hours and with less pay. There seems to be no allowances made for the fact I do not work full time.

But whenever anyone else is off, I am expected to pick up their work as well as doing my own.

THe trouble is, I have several big projects that I have to get done, but I can't because my day to day work must take priority and that is taking all my time.

I can't rely on others to assist me or pass any of it on as they are busy enough as it is. Also two of the team (of four) are new, so they are still learning and I often have to help them too.

And now I'm on my lunch break, but people are still asking me work things. I have said (through mouthfuls of sandwich) I am on my lunchbreak, but they carry on anyway. I'm not even allowed to put my phone on voicemail during lunch. I know I should go away from my desk, but there's nowhere to go out there (nasty weather, nasty area) and all the meeting rooms have meetings in them.

And also I have to man (woman) reception today - although not right now, but half the work I need to do needs me to be elsewhere, so I can't do them.

Evil or Very Mad

muddled rant over. I feel better now!

muntjac

? do you need the job?. if not then why you still sat there ranting ? rant at them for taking advantage and go home saying u quit

Leonie2

I'd put my phone on voicemail, and if someone tells you to take it off voicemail then refuse to answer it! They can't make you, and they certainly wouldn't dare to fire you if you're pregnant, it would be a legal nightmare for them if they tried.

redwillowrose

You shouldn`t have to answer the phone in your lunchbreak, thats terrible ! I know what you mean about part time working though, at the shop I`m supposed to be unofficial assistant manager ! which basically means, I`m doing the job but not getting the pay !
Lyn

Becki

Leonie is right they wouldn't have a leg to stand on.

When are you off on Maternity leave? Just try to think about when you will be off, and it won't be much longer.

Think about bringing the date forward and leave earlier. you are allowed 6months? off I think.

Go to the doctor and say your so stressed about work, this can't be good for the baby etc, burst into tears, and they'll sign you off, but make sure you tell work it's all their fault.

Cheeky but worth a go?

Aqui

hi thanks all

Muntjac - can't quit, then (I think) I'd lose my maternity pay.

Leonie - we're actually not allowed to use voicemail during the day and there was no one else to answer my phone (that's the trouble with working for local government).

Becki - it's less than three months now. I'm taking 6months paid and 6 unpaid - so a year in total. Plus probably 6 weeks holiday (some at start, some at end). Don't want to leave too early as then I'd get less time with baby. But the intention is to quit after that. Money be damned. I'm seeing the midwife thursday (25 week appointment!) so I will mention it to her. I know my blood pressure is up right now!

I'm actually feeling a lot better now. The day is nearly over. I'm almost finished and then I shall reward myself with an apple and a big bar of dark choccie.

Becki

That's great, no I ment to say don't quit, or you would lose maternity pay and they would be rubbing their hands in glee (any company would do)

I think they are actually behaving illegally by expecting you to answer your phone during your break. every time you answer it in your break you should add extra time to your break on. Even if they sign you off for a week, it's better than nothing. I know what you mean about not leaving too early. It is worth sticking it out as long as possible, but if your going to leave anyway?

nanny-now and forever

if you are on a lunchbreak, don't answer the phone, turn the ring off if that helps, that is what i did when it all got too much

have you had any sort of risk assessment for your job? if the work becomes too much for you your doctor could sign you off sick anyway ....then they won't have you at all will they?

at the end of your year off, take stock and see if you really want to go back to the same job for the same hours, maybe different hours greatly reduced would suit you better, just to keep your hand in so to speak till you make that final decision

Cabbagepatch

i had months and months of feeling so overworked that i had my lunch at my desk, disturbed every day by people saying "sorry to disturb you but...."

i have now found a hideyhole to eat and take a little break. Even if I have to sit in my car for 20 minutes.

You just must escape from your desk.

None of us are indispensable, and the more we give the more "they" take. So, think about yourself.

nanny-now and forever

mrutty

Right, having had the cr*p kicked out of me at work by a nasty piece of work.

1) Go to the manager (a friendly one if yours is cr*p) and explain it all. Point out that it's harassment and a type of bullying (what they run for cover).
2) Go to HR (Wehn I went they had a file three inches thick on the situation).
3) Keep to only your hours.
4) "sorry to disturb you but...." - respond with well don't or 'you'll have to wait'. When the team I was in had the bullying problem we had 'The Great Escape' as our phone rings and guys had 'Out to Lunch' notices on their desks. Didn't help much but at least put a smile on our faces for a few mins each day.
5) As B said go to the quack and get signed off, they can't do a thing about it.
6) Stop giving a sh*t about deadlines, plonk it on the bosses desk and say there are xx hours and this isn't going to get done whilst this goes on.

All easy to say and it took me 9 months of hell to complete all the steps.

Aqui

thanks again all - feeling much better after two days off.

I have spoken to my manager (who is actually good) and we have agreed that I must get away from my desk at lunchtime. I can use one of the conference rooms. But oh poo - I forgot to bring my knitting in today. Oh well, at least I have my book.

THe phone cannot be ignored as we have government targets and are monitored on it unfortunately. So I can give it to anyone else, not necessarily part of my team.

I've done some preliminary sums and my original idea of working 2.5 days per week looks like it's just not worth it - after childminder and travel costs I'd only be left with about £100 per month. My mum lives too far away and his mum works full time, although she has offered to reduce her hours to help us out. To be honest, although I'd really miss the people (despite whinging about them, I get on really well with them) I'd rather be a full-time mum. I always thought if I had kids I'd give up working. But after a year of going stir crazy, I may change my mind!

Mrutty - sounds like you had a really bad time of it. sympathy. Mine isn't nearly that bad!

Haize

For most of my life I never considered being a "full time" mum: I always assumed that it would come down to a question of who was earning the least would be the one to stay at home.

A few years ago I suddenly changed my mind about all that Laughing

Kathy

I never worked Aqui, was always skint but was there for the kids, always. There was to be no help from my family, I was "on my own". I have no regrets, and get on extremely well with all my offspring Smile

Everyone is different and my sister couldn't bear to be at home with her kids full time so popped them into a day nursery and worked part time. I look after my grandchild because my oldest daughter is the same, feels the need to be "out there" earning. I didn't like the idea of E being cared for by strangers hence me being her carer through the week (and half the weekend too!). She has the best of both worlds, family upbringing, reaonably contented Mother. Smile

Incidentally, out of my 2 sisters and myself, my Mother said she always assumed I would have no children, was the one least likely to be a "home bird". Not sure what happened when I grew up. Confused

nanny-now and forever

quote="Kathy"]Incidentally, Not sure what happened when I grew up. Confused

[/quote]

hormones

simple as that

gets all of us one way and another............. Rolling Eyes

Cabbagepatch

Nanny, I have no idea what you mean.... Laughing

nanny-now and forever

bet lloyd knows

mr nanny knows exactly what i mean...

bless ............

Kathy

Ahh, hormones..........I see........well that explains it then! Rolling Eyes

lloyd

Cabbagepatch

Hmmmm, what's that song that Lloyd should be singing?...................."I feel trouble ahead..."

Deep deep trouble Wink

kaz

You must move away from your desk to have your lunch or do what my secretary does - we have lunch at our desks but she continues to answer the phone if it goes, taps at the pc (I think she's googling) and we just chat - but I don't count it as unpaid lunch hour - she goes home half an hour earlier.