Anyone know how to better schedule an emergency??? Let me know...

doxielady5569128 · December 18, 2007, 09:38:47 AM

Long story here but I need some help on this one. I had to take two days off because of snow in the last two weeks. The first day I did not go to work at all because I was scheduled in the afternoon and it was snowing and blowing really bad. I could not see our fence in our front yard. I called in during the morning to inform them that I would not be able to make it. (This was the day we got 4 inches of snow, for those wondering.) The second time I called in i had worked three hours in the morning and was scheduled to work three more hours in the afternoon. I drove home that day at a maximum speed of 15 mph and just barely made it into my driveway. I called my boss after my 9 mile trip took me one hour and informed her that i was unable to return in the afternoon.

Besides those two days, I have NEVER taken a day off, asked for any schedule changes, etc..... Sunday evening when we could finally get home again after this weekend's snowstorm we got our car stuck. I did not have to be at work until 3 in the afternoon Monday, so we weren't too worried.

Monday morning (yesterday) we woke up to no heat in our home. My husband and I bundled up and went out to try to dig out the car. We dug and dug to no avail. We worked for two straight our in 10 degree weather trying to get the thing unstuck. Knowing I had to go to work, my husband rode his Moped into town to get his dad's pick-up. He brought the pickup home and we tried to tow our car into the driveway. Our car would not start at all. So...we tried putting gas in it thinking it had run out of gas. Still wouldn't start.

We tried to tow the car but it didnt work since the snow was so deep and we couldn't put into gear.

So...we decided that my husband would just drive me into work, buy a new alternator for the car and fix it while I was working. About half way through my shift, my husband called and informed me that none of the parts stores had an alternator in stock for our car.

So...I then informed my boss of the situation and explained to her we had no car and I would be unable to make it into work by 5:30 am today. I told her we would work on the car all day today and I would try to come in at 3 if I could. She informed me that it was "fine" and she could just come in.

I get home last night at 9 pm because my husband's father was gracious enough to give us a ride home. Then my phone rings, it was my head boss. She told me she was getting very disappointed that I was needing so many days off. And informed me that she was tired of me telling her "stories" about why I can't come in. I tried explaining to her what had happened and she just would not listen. She then said she had trouble believing that the snow was bad at my house and thought I had been lying about it because she had made it to town just fine from another town.

I tried explaining to her that we got more snow than any of the other areas around here because we are riht next to the hills. Again, she refused to believe me.

She then informed me that if i didn't come in by 9 am today she didn't know what she was going to do.

To top it all off, she told me I need to "schedule my emergencies better so that it does not interfere with my job."

How am I supposed to schedule an emergency????

I can not control getting snowed in or having my car break down. Believe me, if I could I would. She told me I need to prepare a calendar for 2008 with all the days off i will need written down on it and I would not be allowed any more days off than that. So....I did what she asked. I made sure I scheduled in a few car breakdowns, flat tires, family deaths, etc.... "I'm sorry grandma, you can't die today, you have to wait until the fourth of july so its convient for my boss."

I have invited my boss out to my home so she can see our car stuck in the snow for herself if she would like. Of course she refused. I am at my wits end about this. I can understand her frustration that i couldn't be there, but I'm not sure how i'm supposed to schedule things like this.

Any ideas???? When I have our "meeting" after I do get back to work I plan on going in with an open mind. But if I am accused of being a liar one more time, I will be walking out the door.

Sorry....i just had to get this off my chest. Am I wrong here? Please be honest with me. Thanks!!

Leslie · December 18, 2007, 10:09:42 AM

Your boss is not a human being. (TWO days???)
The situation will not improve
look for another job.

seriously That's all ya can do.

I am so blessed at my job. If ya take the random Thursday off because you feel like a wet dishrag NO ONE sayz anything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ya just mark your time card. Which, in turn, just makes everyone make more effort to get in when they really sometimes should be home. (and the unwritten code here: ":Take all your sick days if ya want but we NEVER NEVER NEVER get out early.) (?)

Every plaec of employment has it's own culture and yours sounds toxic.
Seriously, I worked at a mental health facility and the co-workers there were healthier and nicer than the top brass at a place I cannot mention.

MimisMomma · December 18, 2007, 10:18:52 AM

Here's a good way to let your boss know your serious. Tell her that you want to work and that since she was able to get around ok if she could leave a bit early and pick you up. That way you can work!! If she makes it to your house with out a problem then she is super woman!! And if she doesn't then she will know the reason you had to call off two days!! But really, that is uncalled for a boss! It is not like you are the only worker she has for one and for two, if she honestly thinks that you can "better organize an emergency, then she is in the wrong business and should be on the talk circuit for lets say earthquakes or something! Really what kind of person is she anyway? Are there other clubs in town that you can look for another job? Just for some leverage at least.

Mel

doxielady5569128 · December 18, 2007, 10:33:02 AM

Leslie and Mel,
Thank you so much for your support. I was up all night in tears about this. I LOVE my job and what I do, I give it 150% ever time I am there. I went into work after havng one of the worst days of my life, with my head held high and a smile on my face. I did ask her to pick me up and her response was, "I am no responsible for your transportation." I haven't been able to call in and tell them that I am officially not coming in at all today because the line has been busy.

What really gets me is that there is an employee who has been working there 8 years, she takes time off to go to volleyball games, etc.....And no one says anything! But, I have an actual problem and its not okay??

Just doesn't make sense. I also know of at least 25 clients that will walk out with me if i were to quit or be fired. I would never ask them to, but I know they will once they find out the reason why I'm gone.

Unfortunately the only other club we have here is the YMCA. And I could never work there. For one i don't agree with 90% of the way they set up their work-outs and I would never work with clients. The reason I love my job is because I get to help people and encourage them to reach their goals. Part of my job involves getting to know the clients well so you can motivate them and encourage them better. Some of my clients have no friends and i am the only one there to help them along. Many of my clients WILL die if they do not lose weight and improve their health with exercise.

All I know, is no matter what happens, I'm going to hold my head high. I don't think taking two days off after being employed for 8 months is really that big of a deal.

We are given 15 days off each year, so I'm well within my 15 days since they rollover on the first of January. :idiot:

Mike · December 18, 2007, 10:51:04 AM

I can understand your frustration. Unfortunately you can't compare yourself to the co-worker with 8 years who goes to volleyball. You don't know the agreement that may have been made for her other activities and she has considerably more employment history with this club.

Can you take pictures of your area, not just the drive but the roads and terrain. Be sure you are in the photos and recognizable. One of the mailbox with the address showing and the house/car in the background would be good. Hard to fake your mailing address.

doxielady5569128 · December 18, 2007, 10:58:34 AM

Great idea Mike. I did already send her photos and even told her we would bring in the car parts after we are done to prove that I am telling the truth. I guess I have done all I can do trying to remedy the problem. I even took pictures of our neighbor's four-wheel-drive pickup stuck in the snow and pictures of their mailbox and address.

I agree that I'm not comparable to my co-worker of 8 years. I tried explaining that i do not expect her to fix the problem for me and that I am doing the best I can given the circumstances. I have offered to come in on my days off to fill in for the co-worker who is filling in for me.

Leslie · December 18, 2007, 01:58:47 PM

Quote from: doxielady5569128 on December 18, 2007, 10:33:02 AM

What really gets me is that there is an employee who has been working there 8 years, she takes time off to go to volleyball games, etc.....And no one says anything! But, I have an actual problem and its not okay?? :dontknow: Just doesn't make sense.

it doesn't make sense that one employee is treated differently from another --or it isn't fair? It makes perfect sense. Happens all the time. Is it fair. No.

Obviously the supervisoris a power tripping little a-hole. You are better off saying only a few sentences: "I made a real sincere, effort to get in here, and I was unable. I'm sorry that made the work day difficult for you. Please do not call me a liar. Well, gotta go do (fill in the blanks)"

Turn, leave. A discussion will just rattle you more.

PattyInAK · December 18, 2007, 02:36:06 PM

WTF?????? She's upset about two days??? Because of a snow storm? Give me a freakin break, what kind of monster is your boss anyway. And you were even good enough to keep her informed on what was going on. If your car is stuck in the snow, there isn't much you can do about it. I, too, am blessed with a great boss who "works with me" when I have a crisis. Sh*t happens, we don't schedule it.

doxielady5569128 · December 18, 2007, 05:09:18 PM

Well I went ahead and called in. I called at 10:30 in the morning to let them know that I wouldn't get the car done today. I talked to my immediate supervisor and se seemed fine with it again. She asked me to all the head boss on her cell phone and let her know. I left a very brief message on her phone since she did not answer. I simply stated that fixing our car was taking longer than we though it would and I would do my best to return to work as soon as I possibly could. I also told her that if we were able to get it fixed by the afternoon I would come in.

She has not called me back yet, so I'm going to try again this evening to make sure she got the message. I have done all I can to get to work today. My husband and I went on a 9 mil bike ride in weather that was in the 20s this afternoon, so we could pick up a wrench at a hardware store. So...believe me, we pulled all the stops today trying to get me there.

My husband has missed the same amount of days as me and when he called his boss this morning, he offered to come out and help us. He came out and tried for a few hours and had to go back in to ork himself.

cheryl186 · December 18, 2007, 05:26:19 PM

QuoteWTF?????? She's upset about two days??? Because of a snow storm? Give me a freakin break, what kind of monster is your boss anyway. And you were even good enough to keep her informed on what was going on. If your car is stuck in the snow, there isn't much you can do about it. I, too, am blessed with a great boss who "works with me" when I have a crisis. Sh*t happens, we don't schedule it.

Patty, you said it so well........as for me, DITTO !!!

Sadiesmom · December 18, 2007, 08:27:27 PM

Unrealistic and hateful. Shes lovely. :rollseyes: Im sorry she is making it harder on you with her snotty attitude. I hope you get your car up and running quickly and all that snow melts away. HUGS.