Coworker angry because she can't take more time off..
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
United States
November 3, 2015 8:20pm CST
I knew she had a talking to the other day, but I didn't know what it was about. I found out today because she was very loudly talking to our supervisor about the problem.
We both started at the same time back in April. We started as temps. We were hired on full-time in August, so technically we've only been there 3 months. As of yet we have not accumulated any paid time off, though we do have a bit of sick time.
Unfortunately a few months back she had some problems with her stomach and needed some time off for doctor's appointments. She's also a single mom so has needed time off for her kids.. for school functions or doctor's appointments or whatever else.
In addition to that she's taken a few days off to take some trips with her family as well. She's taking 2 days off this week to travel out of town. She'll also be taking time off soon for a parent-teacher conference for her preschool child.
So it seems last week she was told she can't take any more time off, at least for awhile. I don't know exactly how the conversation went, but I heard her complaining about being unable to take her daughter to the dentist, then she called her daughter's dentist to try to reschedule the appointment while she was on the clock, which I find to be in poor taste.
Maybe I'm old fashioned or have a better work ethic.. but I had always thought she was already going overboard with the amount of time she was taking off. Most places don't stand for that sort of thing and I think she's lucky to have gotten as much time off as she has. She wasn't paid for any of it, however the fact that they allow her to take the time off and haven't fired her yet so they could hire someone who would be there all the time is lucky on her part. So I don't see how she has room to complain.
Personally, I've taken 1 day off since I've started, and one day I took a long lunch so I could see my daughter be inducted into Jr. Honor Society. Aside from that I've been at work when I was supposed to. I am taking next Friday off but am allowed to because I'll be working the day after Thanksgiving so get an extra paid day off because of it.
Does your job allow you to take a lot of time off without repercussion?
6 people like this
9 responses
@softbabe44 (5816)
• Vancouver, Washington
4 Nov 15
It sounds like she doesn't want to work'
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
4 Nov 15
That's pretty much what it is. Even when she's there she doesn't do much.
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
5 Nov 15
@softbabe44 I don't think she realizes yet how bad the situation is. I think she could be fired anyday but she doesn't see that.
@softbabe44 (5816)
• Vancouver, Washington
5 Nov 15
@katsmeow1213 Thats probably why the situation isn't in her favor.
@GardenGerty (160623)
• United States
4 Nov 15
I am not working now, due to the fact that I was exhausted from all the extra hours and my sister was moving in with me so I could take her to appointments. Her health is better now, and most things she can go to in a cab, but it boils down to I knew I could not take that much time off.My previous job was good to me, but I could not do that.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
4 Nov 15
Before I got this job I was only looking for part-time. I didn't think I could handle full-time hours with what I've got going on with the kids. But they gave me this job and I'm handling it okay. We're getting our bills in order and that's giving me the motivation I need to keep plugging away even when times get tough.
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
4 Nov 15
This is why I'm not working outside the home at the moment! I have several health problems that mean I'm constantly running to appointments, specialists, tests, etc. and I can't imagine how I would even ASK an employer to accommodate my ridiculous schedule. I do need the money of a regular job but I haven't figured out how to make it all work yet. Having said that, I've seen many people take the attitude of your coworker -- they seem to think that, if they are not being paid for the time off, then it doesn't matter how much they miss. They think that they are not hurting the company because it's not costing them anything. But, in fact, it's costing them the loss of an employee who is supposed to be doing their job! I'd be watching her back if I were that woman because there is probably a door about to hit her on the way out.
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
5 Nov 15
@katsmeow1213 You know, I really don't understand some companies. If you've hired someone and they don't do their job, they break (or seriously bend) the rules on a regular basis, they have poor attendance or performance records, etc... WHY don't they let them go?! Give an opportunity to someone who really WANTS to work and WANTS to do a good job. I find people are given way too many chances and I'm not sure if it's because companies are so leery about getting hit with lawsuits for "wrongful dismissal" and such? Put procedures in place and follow them - three strikes and your out!
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
5 Nov 15
@thinkingoutloud Well I know she got a talking to last week about her time off. So that was her warning. I'm glad that they're giving her warning and giving her a chance to correct herself because if I were doing something wrong, and didn't realize I was wrong, I'd want a chance to correct myself.
But she's not correcting herself, she's just arguing with their decision.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
4 Nov 15
I'm with you. If I ran that place she'd be gone already, but I dislike her for many other reasons, most of them being her work ethic. I told my supervisor tonight about some of it just because I was really annoyed at the girl.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
8 Nov 15
She should have thought about the childcare arrangement before she started working.
No company will let the employees take time off as and when they want to.
It is a matter of responsibility to the customers.
If everyone takes time off as and when they want to, then who is going to serve the customer?
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
8 Nov 15
Our company has been very lenient with her, and any time off she already requested that was approved is not being taken away. I think they're basically just telling her that enough is enough until she has some more paid time off accrued.
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
5 Nov 15
When I worked outside of the house the only days off were for vacation. (or sick days) Now I am the boss so I can have all the time I want off. I should be painting but I'm here instead...
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
5 Nov 15
I tried to find ways to make money while staying at home, but couldn't do it. It's better for me to work outside the house, but that means following someone else's rules. I can handle that.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
4 Nov 15
Being a single mom can't be an easy thing. You did not mention your status, but I was a single dad for a few years when my daughter was n middle school and high school. It is not an easy life, balancing work and being an only parent.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
4 Nov 15
My status can be discovered by reading more of my discussions.
She's technically not a single mom though, she has a boyfriend who lives with her. He's not the father of her children, but he lives with her. But she wants to use that single parent card as often as she can.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
4 Nov 15
@katsmeow1213 Oh, I have seen that before. She sounds a bit manipulative then.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
4 Nov 15
@JamesHxstatic Yes, I think she is. She's taking the next 2 days off to go on vacation with her boyfriend, yet she was complaining this morning that nobody will go to her daughter's school for the Thanksgiving feast the school is having because she can't get the time off to go. I say, put your priorities in order and you won't have these kinds of problems.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
4 Nov 15
Fortunately I don't have to deal with that since I'm self-employed. Back in my previous job though, taking too many days off would affect our performance and that would affect chances to get an increase or get promoted.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
4 Nov 15
I'm sure it will affect her reviews and she probably won't get raises as often as I will.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (82704)
• United States
4 Nov 15
I think she's lucky that she is able to keep her job and was just told that she couldn't take more time off. Most places would have probably just fired her for excessive absences.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
4 Nov 15
I think they're trying hard not to fire her just yet because they only have 3 tellers. If she left we'd be short staffed and it would be harder on everyone else, but they might be considering that option very soon.
@martygoldeng (47)
• United States
4 Nov 15
Although jobs allow more leniency as time goes on, it's very strict normally when you first start.
Therefore, your co-worker is going to learn the hard way that she's got to choose between the job and taking her daughter personally to all the many appointments she has.
Your co-worker can find family or sometimes friends to help with the daughter. She will be motivated to find this help, if the job means enough to her. But if she's dissatisfied with the job anyway, this probably is her round-about way of terminating herself.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
4 Nov 15
I agree.. her heart isn't in the job, she just wants a job to pay the bills but she doesn't care about her employment enough to work for it.
