Am I wrong for putting in for annual leave for a shift I dont want to do?

[Anonymous]

I had done this shift previously where I went home with a 2 day migraine and was crying for hours after the shift was done. It was a 10 hour shift total and the coworkers who were on were completely useless, leaving me to do majority of the work. One of them was new and kept calling me none stop anxious and being demanding for me to do X and Y for her. I haven't told my manager about this but I had addressed the problem regarding my coworkers behaviours and listed the strategies I used to deal with this but nothing seems to have happened from what I can see.

It is only 1 shift like this every 2 months, and the last one completely broke me. I still have some leave left over and had already taken 2 weeks off last month. I feel guilty but I do not want to do this shift until next year when I feel a lot refreshed and my coworkers know their roles better.

[Oliverlogan263]

That sounds brutal. No way should you feel bad about using your leave for that shift. After having such a terrible experience last time, you gotta take care of yourself.

Your coworkers clearly weren't pulling their weight and left you hanging. Then you spent the whole day stressed and miserable. No job is worth that kinda toll on your mental health, ya feel me?

Plus if your manager knows the issues were co-worker related and hasn't fixed anything, they can't expect you to just dive back in unprepared again. Especially after using leave already - you must be lowkey fried, my guy.

Take the time you're owed. A little break can help you reset and come back refreshed like you said. And hopefully using your leave sends a message that things need to change up next time that shift comes around.

Chill and don't feel bad about looking out for #1 here. You gotta put yourself first sometimes, ya know? Don't lose sleep - you did what you had to do for YOU.

[Asker]

I am definitely fried! I feel guilty for taking leave but I seriously cannot do it again until I feel less stressed thinking about the shift. I had taken that shift off a couple of times in the last because I want those new employees to figure it out on their own rather than relying on me to do all the work, and they get to "relax". I also took it off because clients became way too reliant on me and was managing 6 at a time while my coworkers only had 1-2. Very stressful! The clients really look up to me for information, guidance and safety. So I tried to give space so they can also feel safe around other coworkers and learn to trust them too.

[Oliverlogan263]

I totally get where you're coming from. That shift sounds insanely stressful, no wonder you're completely fried from it. Taking care of your mental health has to be the top priority here. It was smart of you to try taking it off sometimes before to let the newbies figure it out without you, but it doesn't seem like that's working yet if they're still making you do all the work.

I'd say you're absolutely right to request leave this time around. You've gotta do what you gotta do to reset and feel less anxious about it. Don't feel guilty at all - you've earned that time off, and your manager should understand where you're coming from after you tried addressing it before.

When you talk to them, be confident about why you need the break. Explain how overwhelmed you felt last time having to manage so many clients alone. Make it clear the pressure isn't fair or sustainable. If they try denying it, hold your ground but stay polite. Your well-being is too important.

Sounds like once you've had time to de-stress, maybe then you can slowly start helping out on the shift again. But they need to start sharing the workload more fairly so it doesn't all fall on you. You've earned their respect - don't let them take advantage! You got this, just do what you need to do for your mental health right now.

[integrale77]

Nothing wrong with it. I'd just say make good use of the holiday.

[Asker]

Most definitely! Assignments and studying for a better job! 😂

[Screenwriter]

If you can get the leave, take it. It sounds like you know how to take care of yourself. ONLY IF YOUR BOSS, complains about you taking the leave, do you need to do something else.

Ask for a meeting with that person and have a bullet list of the problems you have on this shift. It sounds like there is a lack of training on the part of whoever has to do it, and knowing that you are a res ponsible worker, they've allowed this training to fall on you;

This is unfair and unreasonable. So outline WHY this is so and ask what can be done to address this issue. And in the meantime, start looking for another job too. You sound like a valuable employee and you don't need to be suffering migraines from doing work.

This is a health issue, not just a work issue. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I feel it's a waste of your annual leave time. There is going to come a time when you will genuinely need the annual leave time and it won't be there for you to use.

Honestly I would have spoken up and spoke to the manager or even HR about what is going on. Unless someone speaks up, nothing will change.

[Asker]

I honestly didn't want to be the person who speaks ill of others. And sometimes they find a way of reversing this onto me. One time I had addressed a few behaviours and their solution was to "Encourage and praise them in their tasks" and that was it. The behaviour I had stated before was not even related to the advice given. I recorrect and praise for tasks they do but I dont want to be extremely bossy or seen as the manage on site for people to ask me X and Y questions when they should know the answer already. Its written in the email and they dont check it! Im honestly crying about the last time right now, it is so frustrating to not have anything done. I was going to speak to HR about it and list what has been happening. But it seems a bit extreme for now. I have sick leave I can use and over 4 weeks of annual leave. I've only taken it for exams and a couple of days off here and there that I needed.

[Opinion Owner]

I still think you need go speak with the manager. This will honestly keep happening and you will continue to be affected by it all.

Some people need a kick in the butt to get their shit together.

[Asker]

I feel like my manager is trying to make me train them. She had stated she was going to do a meeting and list out what to do on the job and not, but it hasn't happened yet. Its been 5 months already. Im honestly over the behaviour, this is another reason why I did not want to do this shift because the workload is so intense and I need coworkers, not trainees

[Opinion Owner]

Are you in a position to look for another job?
I personally would have lost my shit by now. In fact I actually did once because I was so tired of the bs from the other worker.

Take your break and really think about saying something. Maybe also look into seeing if the boss has to pay you extra for training these people especially if it's not part of your job description

[strateguy632]

seems necessary