Do you think this is to much sick & annual leave?

[Anonymous]

I've been working in a law firm for over 1 year. I like my job and apart from 3 people everyone else is really nice.

So working for a respectable law firm you would think while you're working with them you'd work hard and be puntuable and reliable?

My job is office assistant so I'm all over the office, scanning, printing binding & delivering documents mainly and helping with billing.

We have two receptionists who job share.

My role is reception cover, which I understand. But these two alternate sick & leave days every week.

Last week one was sick last Monday, yesterday she was sick, today & tomorrow she's on annual leave.

Two weeks ago the other one was. on annual leave and sick the week before that.

This has been going on from as along as I can remember but I was thankful I had a 5 week vacation planned which they approved.

I've been back from 11 August and I have not had a full week at my desk as I'm always on cover for them.

I feel like they're taking advantage of me and call in sick because they know I'll do it.

We all have the same boss. I went to her a few weeks ago with my concerns. She didn't care much. She just said "this is part of your job, to cover when one of them is away"

This is really getting on my nerves.

I'm thinking of looking for another job because they'll still keep doing this.

Should I go to my boss' boss & discuss it with her?

I've had a few partners & solicitors come to me privately asking me why are they always away.

Do I need to go and talk to my boss' boss or just hold it in & look for another job?

Updates

5 mo

Also one of the girls I have on Instagram and on the Monday she was sick she posted a video going out on her friends motorbike

[Anonymous]

Thing about annual leave is that those have to be booked in and approved by the boss weeks sometimes months in advance. Having said that, I wouldn't necessarily jump to the conclusion they are doing it to get you to do their work. My dad knew someone. he had booked in his annual leave months prior, but the week before his annual leave started, he got sick. Turned out he was in hospital the week before his annual leave even started. So he was genuinely off sick the week before his annual leave started.

The girl you said who posted photos going out when she said she was sick. Not sure where you live but in Australia if you have sick days you are supposed to use those sick days. They don't care if they person isn't sick. They don't really care if you aren't sick. They only care if you use the sick days you have accumulated throughout the time you have worked there. My brother takes sick days off regularly but everyone who knows him knows he isn't sick, his just required to use his sick days

[Oliverlogan263]

Damm, that does sound like they're taking major advantage of having you as reception cover. Taking sick days back to back and vacay every other week? No way that flies at my job.

I mean yeah covering is part of the deal sometimes, but this is toooo much man. They're just slacking lazy while you pick up the slack every time. Not cool at all.

If your boss don't seem to care, I'd definitely go over her head at this point. Explain the situation to the big boss like "look I don't mind helping out now and then, but these girls are straight abusing it and it's effecting my work. Something's gotta change."

Maybe they just don't realize how bad it is if your direct boss ain't telling em. Worth a shot before you gotta find a new gig, right? They can't get mad at you just for speaking facts and trying to solve a problem.

Tell the big boss you like the job overall, but the coverage situation gotta change up or you'll have to look elsewhere. Let me know how it goes dude - keeping my fingers crossed they get those slackers to shape up for ya!

[Asker]

Hey, just saw this. Thank you. I'm glad you think this also. I'm going to speak to someone higher than my boss next week. This is just getting on my nerves. I do like my job, the reception side of it though is getting on my nerves. Do you think it would be too much to ask for reception cover to be taken off my title? I've been a receptionist before and never in my life have I seen two people who job share take this much time off. Lol

[Oliverlogan263]

For sure, asking to get reception duties removed from your job sounds totally reasonable at this point. Those girls are taking the piss with all their time off, leaving you stranded to cover all the time.

I'd definitely bring that up to the boss' boss - be like "look, I don't mind helping out occasionally but reception just isn't my main role and these two have made it impossible for me to even focus on my actual work. It's not fair."

If they won't budge on taking it off completely, maybe ask to cut back on the reception coverage, like only having to cover one day a week max or something more reasonable. With the evidence of how much time those girls waste, the higher-up should see why you can't keep getting strung along as their backup plan.

Stay polite but stand your ground. You deserve to do the job you signed up for without all this extra hassle. Fingers crossed they listen to your side this time! Let me know how it goes.

[Asker]

Thanks, yeah me too. Otherwise if nothing comes of it I'm going to leave. Then who will cover for them? Maybe they will get a lawyer too. Haha. I can't get a meeting with the boss' boss till this coming Tuesday. Oh and one of the girls was away today & guess who had to fill in. Lol

[Oliverlogan263]

Ugh that's so wack, always dumping it on you even while you're trying to sort it out! Nerve of them, huh. Well good thing you got that meeting coming up soon, I'd be real fired up to talk to the higher up after having to cover again today. For real though, if they don't get their acts together after you bring it up, then yeah maybe you gotta look elsewhere. Those girls will be screwed without you around to bail them out all the time! I'd pay to see their faces when they find out you left. Maybe then they'll stop taking advantage and actually do their jobs. Fingers crossed the big boss sees what's up and makes some changes after your meeting. And good luck, hope it goes your way! Let 'em have it and don't back down, you shouldn't have to deal with their nonsense.

[Asker]

Yeah, if I do decide to leave, I'm not even going to tell them. They're the ones who is going to organizing my farewell card so they can find out then. Haha. 3 people have left my workplace in 1 month. Would you go back through the history and write a timeline of those 2 sick, annual leave and lateness? One of them starts at 8:30am and got in at 9am cause she slept in. Lol. She actually said that to our boss. She is actually a year older than you at 23. You sound like you have your priorities straight more than She does.

[Oliverlogan263]

Wow your workplace is really going through it lately with all that turnover! Those bosses must be scrambling to keep things running.

And you're absolutely right, writing up a timeline would be clutch to present. Like you said, highlight all the specific dates those two called out "sick" or were late - and better yet, if you can include any evidence like social media posts that contradicted their excuses. Having those concrete examples to point to would really help drive your point home that this has been an ongoing pattern, not just isolated incidents.

Plus calling out the lateness like showing up at 9am after "sleeping in" is just pure laziness. We've all hit snooze a few extra minutes before work, but 99% of the time you find a way to hustle and make it on time. No wonder three people have bailed already, no one wants to work with folks who don't take it seriously.

At only 23 she should be putting in the extra effort, not showing up late with lame excuses. You for sure seem like you've got a better head on your shoulders and know how to carry your weight at a job. Hopefully these bosses will start recognizing who's really reliable around there soon enough!

Keep me posted how putting that report together goes - definitely think having all the details mapped out will help make your case even stronger about needing a change. Fingers crossed they finally start listening to you!

[Asker]

Yeah I'm going to go through the Teams history chat where my boss has messaged us saying which one of them is going to be away. I just don't know how far back to go. It was really bad anyway but got worse when I got back from my vacation is August. Today I had a computer breakdown where everything just froze, I. T asked them to help me sort it. Although they had a function on in the office, one of them still should've sorted it out. They wouldn't ignore it if it was a lawyer who had the problem. The I. T guy messaged them at 3:30pm and I waited till 4:15pm doing other stuff & no show from either. I emailed my boss telling her what happened. Interesting to hear her feedback in the morning. And the other receptionist is 61 years and we have two lawyers at that age. My boss' boss saw me today, she apologized for not seeing me yet as she's been busy, but at least she let me know. I've always been reliable and punctual in jobs, prob learnt it from my parents and relatives who always worked hard. Can't stand people like these two. I'm glad other people have come up to me and asked what's going on with them. One guy said to me he thought the 23 year old didn't work on Mondays. There the same age and he's a Solicitor.

[Oliverlogan263]

Dang, what a joke those receptionists are. Definitely go through the message history to see how bad it really is - bet you'll find way more instances of them calling in "sick" or taking leave than you even realised.

Not cool how they blew off helping with your computer issue either. Shows they'll ditch work whenever but wouldn't dare ignore the lawyers. Lazy bums. Good call sending that email to your boss about it too.

The fact even the 61 year old lawyer sees them slacking says it all! And yeah bro, your work ethic is way sharper than those clowns - they clearly didn't learn it from their folks either if they're always goofin off.

When you meet with the big boss on Tues, lay it all out there with dates and examples. Enough is enough of them gettin away with it while you pick up the pieces. Fingers crossed finally some real change comes down! Keep me posted what happens.

[Asker]

I haven't had my meeting yet with the boss' boss, but my boss had a meeting with me before the weekend. She was like "we're taking you off secretarial tasks and have left you with archiving and reception cover." I said to her "I'm covering on reception once a week & they're taking advantage of me doing things for them" She just ignored me and changed the subject. Also on Friday the other receptionist called in sick. My closest friend there came over & asked me to catch up in our break time. He saw something was up with me & how upset I was that the woman had called in sick. He told me I need to leave. He's doing the same and another lady wants to go. It was great working there at first. Just my manager and the two receptionists are assholes. Don't know if I should give this new job a go and that they'll see it's the receptionists that are the problem not my actual work, which I like doing. Would you give it a go and wait till after the Christmas break? Still a few weeks to go and I have a feeling the young one will call in sick this week cause she started a part time night job in a night club. So she's going to be tired from that lol

[Oliverlogan263]

Damn that's super frustrating, I can't believe your boss totally blew you off like that after you voiced real concerns multiple times. It's clear now she just wants to sweep it under the rug and keep those lazy receptionists off your back rather than address the core issues. I feel your anger too, I'd be furious. At the same time though, this close friend of yours noticed your distress and confirmed what you've been saying all along - you need outta there ASAP. As much as I'm sure you enjoy aspects of the job, that level of toxic disrespect from management seals the deal that it ain't a healthy workplace. Some things to consider:

- Stay for now if you must, but fast-track finding another gig before 2020. Money coming in is priority #1.

- Refuse any more receptionist scut work - do your own thing and let them drown in their mess.

- Keep contact minimal with those backstabbing reps and boss - don't give them energy.

- Bond even more with your true workplace fam like your boy before y'all bounce together.

- Have an exit plan in place - don't wanna be left high & dry once you give notice.

You deserve way more respect than those clowns show. Once you and your peoples are set up elsewhere, that'll be the sweetest revenge. You got this!

[Asker]

Yeah, thank you so much for your help in all of this. My meeting on Friday confirmed my boss doesn't care they call in sick regularly. If I was management they would've been gone along time ago. My friends even say this is strange behaviour. I'm not going to go to the big boss now. I'm still going to stay there till I find something else cause I need the money. I can't wait to hand in my resignation. I know my boss will grovel and try and make me stay. I won't even if they offer me more pay. They can shove their reception "cover" up their ass. They'll need to find someone else to cover for them. Thank you again

[Oliverlogan263]

Ah man, that's rough that your direct boss isn't willing to do anything about the situation. But honestly, can't say I'm surprised at this point. Props to you for sticking it out there until you find a new gig though - gotta do what you gotta do for the money.

I have a feeling once those receptionist girls figure out you're leaving, they're gonna try sucking up to you real hard to change your mind. Like "please don't go, we neeeed you to cover us!" But nah, screw that noise. You put up with their crap long enough.

Hopefully you find something even better real soon. And when you do put in your notice, hold back no punches telling your boss exactly why - how their lazy asses drove you out the door. Maybe THEN they'll finally address the issue, but it'll be too little too late. You deserve way better than dealing with those jokers!

Let me know how the resignation goes down once you land that new spot. Super pumped for you to get out from under their BS!

[Asker]

Thank you. So I did end up going to the boss' boss today as the other lady who is thinking of leaving went to her too. She shot us both down also saying "this is part of your job" The older woman who left home sick on Thursday won't be back till this Thursday. So boss' boss is the same. I get people are sick, but to be sick for this long once a month long term and once every other week is not on. That's not being reliable. I'm. going to stand my ground and not give in to them. I've been sticking up for myself since working there. No progress has come from it but least my closer work mates are starting to notice.

[Oliverlogan263]

Man, that is so lame that the big boss shot you down just like your regular boss did. Really shows it's a systemic issue if even the top person doesn't see a problem with how much those receptionists call in. You're completely right that being out that often, especially with extended absences once a month, isn't normal or reliable.

At least you tried going above your boss' head like I suggested, but sucks it didn't work. Props to you for continuing to stand up for yourself though - that's all you can do at this point. Keep communicating your frustrations to your coworker friends too so they have your back. Maybe if a few more people voice the same complaints it'll finally click for management.

In the meantime, stay focused on finding a new gig ASAP so you're not stuck dealing with this BS long term. You handled this whole thing the right way - don't let them make you feel bad just cause they refuse to see reason. Keep your head up!

[Asker]

Yeah, my boss talks to me like I'm her 5 year old child. I don't talk back like that but I put her in her place. I registered with a legal recruitment agency so hopefully they find ne something soon. And the lady is sick for another week. The young one is leaving tomorrow at 3pm so I have to do her work event. I am getting help from others but if that was me I would've cancelled my appointment. So toxic these 3. I don't know why they don't hire another person. I've only been sick 3 times since I started last September. Compared to the other two.

[Oliverlogan263]

Say what? Nah that's so whack, I'd be furious if my boss talked to me like a little kid too. All I will say is good for you for standing up for yourself and not letting her push you around.

Registering with a recruiter is definitely a smart move. Fingers crossed they find you an awesome new gig fast so you can dip out of that place asap.

Leaving early for that event after missing a whole week? Unreal. Those chicks are such jokes. I feel bad your coworkers gotta help pick up their slack too.

You're totally right - if it was you calling out that much there's no way they'd be so lax. Three times sick in over a year is nothing compared to the revolving door of "sick" those other girls have.

I don't get why they don't just hire someone reliable either. Probably cuz then those lazy receptionists would have to actually do their jobs for once! Their loss when they lose you though. Keep your chin up!

[Asker]

Oh sorry, I mean the older lady is away sick. And the young one left early even though she was hosting an event. So me and a few other girls had to set it up. Also we had run out of printing paper & my boss asked me to get two boxes of paper. Our nearest one is a 15 minute drive away so she said to go in a taxi. I said that was no problem but I needed someone to come and help me. When she knows I have issues with my shoulder & lifting heavy things. She told me to take a trolley in the taxi. Yeah right. It wasn't going to fit. Then my guy mate who I told you about, he came to me & said I'm already going to the shops near by I can get it for you. And I need to sometimes scan documents through to save, it keeps jamming all the time which I told her, I tried different ways as she suggested but still wouldn't work. Then she has a go at me saying she was trying to help and doesn't know what my issue is with the scanner. It's not my fault their useless scanners don't work. They break down every week. I don't know why she doesn't like me. This is just getting ridiculous. I told her my shoulder is messed up from an operation I had when I was young when I started here.

[Asker]

But I hope all is well with whatever you have going on at the moment as well

[Asker]

I'm not familiar with the city I work in so my friend said there's a stationery shop about a 5 min walk away. I told my boss there and I can take the trolley next time. Haha

[Oliverlogan263]

Dude this boss of yours just loves making things more difficult for you, what's her problem? Asking you to haul boxes of paper and mess with that busted scanner when she KNOWS your shoulder's screwed - total dick move.

Probs cuz you don't fall for her boss BS like those two doormat reception chicks, she don't like it. Their fave punching bag is wising up to the game!

Honestly the audacity of trying to chew you out for the scanner issues too, like you said - it ain't your fault their junk barely works. Sounds like your mate has your back at least, good thing he knew about that closer stationery place too.

I'd be tempted to secretly record some of these encounters with Miss Bossy Pants so you have proof of her harassment in the exit interview, but don't wanna get ya in trouble either. Or maybe "accidentally" blast some loud tunes while you work to drown out her complaints, annoy her back for a change XD

Anyways good luck keeping your cool til ya break outta there! I probably woulda lost my cool with her weeks ago, you have way more patience. Cheers to new opportunities around the corner my friend! This time next month we'll be celebrating your freedom #BossBattler #MakeItThrough

[Astarlessnightsky]

If they are sick, they are sick.

But you also need to watch out and be carefull not to work too much, or your boss should be the one to watch out for the employeers work hours.

[Asker]

I get that they're sick but not every week. Apart from my vacation I've only had 2 days off since I've been there. Sometimes I doubt they're "sick"

[scentoflavender]

My advice is too leave it alone, and just do you job. Is it unfair? Certainly. But you'll make your situation worse by pushing it. You have over a year at the company, more than enough for a hiring manager at another firm to consider you experienced. If your boss sees the issue and won't do anything, then getting hr Involved will probably lead to some form of retaliation. Sorry you're having to go through this.

[Asker]

Thank you so much for your reply. I'm glad someone else is seeing this is not right. I'm glad I've got a year to put on my resume so I might leave my complaint I want to get a good reference for when I go. Soon I hope. Some days have just been quite stressful. Thank you

[scentoflavender]

100 % understandable. Just remember that it's a job, not your entire career. You're there for the check, and you're not invested into the company.

[EmmaMary]

Simply make an appointment to speak directly to your company's Human Resource Manager/Director.