Overtime Crime, Part 7
(I run a small team but my boss is so overbearing he tries to make all the decisions, despite not being up to scratch.)
Me: “Just to let you know we had a guy call in sick.”
Boss: “Who is there to cover?”
Me: “Well, that is an issue. [Worker #1] in on holiday, [Worker #2] has just finished his shift and legally cannot work. I have spoken to [Worker #3] but he is being difficult. We do have [Worker #4] but I know that he isn’t ideal…”
Boss: “You tell him to get in here and cover that shift or I will fire him!”
Me: “No disrespect, but you cannot do that. He has every right to refuse working extra hours and it’s not in his contract.”
Boss: *breaks into a rant about my leadership and how I’m not doing my role properly* “It looks like I’m going to have to do this for you.”
Me: “Okay, well, sure. Give him a call.”
(I leave the office, I happen to know that the worker in question is difficult anyway, but I also know that he was planning to be away from home. I give it an hour.)
Me: “So did you get [Worker #3] to come in, then?”
Boss: “No, they have their right to have time off. I let him have it off. I think we should ask [Worker #4] to do it.”
Me: *internal sigh* “Great idea. I have already asked him and he has confirmed that he will do it.”
Did you find this story on our Overtime roundup?
