Co workers?

[GailT]

I work in a small place that most of us work togeher when we book a vacation to cover for each other. Well the only one that can do it for me is a young college kid and she said she cant not work for me the day before Christmas 9-4, she celebrates with her family. Oh come on, you don't start at 9am, she just doesnt want to do it. I have covered for her, never again, I think she just wants to work when it is convenent for her. I already bought my airline tickets paid for a night at PC and one night at the swan and I will be dammed if I don't go. I am going to confont her on Sunday when it is her day to work. Oh BTW she works Wednesday nights so it isnt like I was asking for to work a dofferent day, same day different better hrs. OK, thanks for letting me vent, I am so upset. Does anyone feel like their coworkers are just out for themselves?

 

[dmslush]

I work at a domestic violence shelter that has to be manned at all times. We actually had a part time worker get mad and quit because she had to work Thanksgiving. The full time staff takes holidays on a rotating basis, and the part time staff works their regular schedule. Well, on Thursdays, she is scheduled to work soemthing like 4-5 hours. She wanted the whole day off and when she didn't get it, she got mad and quit!

 

[believe]

I have to say that there have been times I could not cover for individuals on Christmas Eve. Some families do host both breakfast and a early dinner as their celebration, usually at 2 different homes. I know often times we are trying to make it to 2 homes on Christmas Eve, usually leaving our home around noon. Have you covered for her on a big holiday before? I know for some Christmas is the only day people celebrate on, but for others both days are major holidays. When I worked at a job where you alternated holidays I know I made sure I didn't plan any vacations that would include a holiday unless it was my year to be off work.

 

[BedKnobbery2]

I had the same thought as you, believe. For many large families, Christmas Eve Day is a VERY big deal; I'm thinking of my ex's family where many members celebrate with the other side of the family on 'the big day', so for my former M-I-L, Xmas eve is a huge deal, it's the only day around the holidays that her entire family is present. It involves a long day of cooking and getting everything ready.....which may be the case with this co-worker's family.

 

[GailT]

I understand what you are all saying but the owner was even willing to open 9-1 instead of 4. my point was noone starts at 9 in the morning. Seh is going to need me on the week of the 28th because he is going to CA, well guess what, I'm not. I believe she will quit or will get fired and I rather work every day without pay then work with a ***** that doesn't work together with coworkers. Seh is a 20 yr old that wants to get her own way. She should learn now that we all have to do things in life that we dont want to do . Disney here I come, no matter what. This trip wasbppked, cancelled booked cancelled now it is booked and I am going

 

[believe]

Some families do start at 9am. Some open gifts on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas or have breakfast at another families house or their own. Unless you know her actual plans I don't think you should judge why she won't work for you. Has she worked for you in the past? I could see if this has been an issue in the past, then I would be upset because it is a recurring thing.

 

[Pop Daddy]

put some itching powder in her brush

 

[browneyes]

I have 2 coworkers that are very much into themselves. They're rude to everyone, then wonder why people avoid them.

 

[SilverLily]

If there is traveling involved, some people DO start out at 9am. My MIL lives about 2 hours from me. If we are going to her house for dinner at noon, we leave at about 9:30. Why do you think your plans are more important than hers?

 

[Tony-NJ]

she just doesn't want to help you out. But FYI - Christmas Eve is the biggest holiday of the year in my family.

 

[tw1nsmom]

Another thing to consider. If she's going to college, her parents are probably paying her way. I knew many people whose parents dictated their lives throughout college, holding the purse strings over their head. Her family may have traditions you don't know about. If you are just now finalizing your plans and arranging work coverage, her plans may have already been set in stone. I'm sure she's not going to risk her parent's wrath for a part-time job.

 

[Grog]

I'm lucky because my co-workers and I cover for each other whenever possible. One thing we do is let each other know way ahead of time that we have plans or want days off, so we don't run into any problems. If there are holidays that we can work, we also let each other know that about a month ahead of time. For example, two of my co-workers (actually, I'm their supervisor) thought that I would automatically take Thanksgiving off because of my position. They were happy when I told them a while back to go and be with their families and myself and another guy are going to work TG, 4am to Noon. Also, if I had plans to be with my family for Christmas Eve (or any holiday) and someone came to me who had travel plans to go out of town, I would work for them and my family would understand, but that's just the way I am.

 

[GailT]

Originally posted by SilverLily
If there is traveling involved, some people DO start out at 9am. My MIL lives about 2 hours from me. If we are going to her house for dinner at noon, we leave at about 9:30. Why do you think your plans are more important than hers?

I think they are more importnat than her because it cost me alomost 2 grand. she lives a mile and a half from work and they are celebrating at her parents house, does that answer the question?

 

[SilverLily]

Originally posted by GailT
I think they are more importnat than her because it cost me alomost 2 grand. she lives a mile and a half from work and they are celebrating at her parents house, does that answer the question?

Yep, that answers the question. Maybe she senses your "my plans are more important" attitude and doesn't WANT to help you. If you had that attitude with me, I wouldn't lift a finger to help you.

Yes, so you are paying money for your vacation. That DOES NOT mean that your plans are more important than someone else's. She goes to school and works. Maybe she was looking forward to a day off to do some last minute shopping. She deserves that just as much as you deserve your vacation.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Shouldn't you have cleared all this BEFORE you made your travel plans? Why should she drop her plans? Because she is younger? That is part of the attitude that I am getting from what you are saying. Working in an office where I am the youngest member (with a lot of responsibility), I have been on the receiving end of this attitude many times.

 

[aprincessmom]

Actually, on Christmas Eve day I start at 6 a.m. because my first guests arrive around 11. I host an all day (into the night) celebration of Christmas Eve culminating with the Feast of the Fishes, an Italian tradition. I have anywhere from 100-150 people come in and out of my house that day. So if I don't start at 6 I'm sunk.

In many families, Christmas Eve is bigger than Christmas day itself. Maybe her family has a tradition that is similar and she is needed to help out at home.

Whether your plans are more important than hers or not is all a matter of perspective. If I was shelling out that kind of money on a vacation my coverage would have been cemented before I paid for the vacation. I wouldn't be blaming my co-workers for poor planning on my part.

 

[Lisa F]

Originally posted by GailT
Does anyone feel like their coworkers are just out for themselves?

Yes, I have a coworker who thinks that because she is older than I am and because she has more money than I do, that her days off are more important than mine. She makes plans to travel before even asking me if I can cover for her and then just assumes that I will. To make matters worse, she does this on the most important holiday of the year for my family and then goes on and on about what a horrible selfish person I am because I am not willing to trade hours with her. So, I can sympathize with what it feels like to have a coworker who is just out for themselves.

 

[TheGlensideGregorys]

Like Gail is out for herself, in regards to her plans?

Claiming that the young woman is "out for her self" is no different than how she probably views you, Gail.

Who makes plans and doesn't have coverage arranged? That's like closing the barn door after the horse got out.

 

[moinab]

In our family, my step-sister's birthday is December 25, so we celebrated Christmas on December 24. Also, when I was in college, the only time all my siblings would get together (from CA, NJ, MN, and DC) was at Christmas. I wouldn't have missed a second of it.

It could be that she just doesn't want to do it, but the way you have worded it makes it seem like you are making assumptions based on her age and where she lives.

I'm sorry for your frustration and hope it all works out for you.

 

[ChibiJones]

If I was shelling out that kind of money on a vacation my coverage would have been cemented before I paid for the vacation. I wouldn't be blaming my co-workers for poor planning on my part.

Me too. I never make non-refundable travel plans without confirmation that both of us have the time off.