WWYD - Work Issue

[Acklander]

I think the problem is, the question was WWYD??? and the majority of us would just take on the extra duties, being that there aren't jobs out there, and we value our paychecks. Obviously the OP likes the paycheck but doesn't need the paycheck, so she's looking at it from a different perspective than the rest of us.

OP - if it's a deal breaker for you, just let your boss know that. How he responds to that conversation will give you your answer on what you should do. Just curious why you asked the rest of us what we would do in the same situation since your pretty set on how you're going to handle the situation???

 

[dis-happy]

I think the term "public bathroom" is being used a little loosely. This isn't a McDona'ld's or gas station where people come in off the street and use the potty; instead sounds like a small commercial business where the clients (corporate clients?) come in to test expensive coffee machines, yes? How many people actually come through a day? I'd be surprised if the majority of the bathroom use doesn't come from the actual employees. And if everyone is taking a day to clean, how bad can it really get in 12 hours?

 

[npmommie]

OP did you talk to your boss about this yet?
Let us know what happens.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I think the term "public bathroom" is being used a little loosely.

I thought the "public restroom" part was about how she had to clean the bathroom at Bed, Bath & Beyond when she worked there.

 

[maxiesmom]

If I had an employee that thought they were "too good" to perform duties that everybody else pitches in for, they are more than welcome to find other employement.

Being a team player is a huge part of any work environment. Somebody who feels they are above the team, well, in this economy there are plenty of resumes of willing workers who have no problems pitching in, even if one of the tasks is not quite as pleasant as others.

The argument of "I didn't do it, so I won't clean it" is the argument of snowflake adolescents, not grown adults who get paid to work.

I agree with this.

And OP, even if you don't get fired, you are going to be forever known as someone who is not a team player. Someone who thinks they are better than everyone else and above doing what the other people are willing to do. Not good. Either quit and get another job, or stop complaining and be a team player.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

So OP are you going to update us after you dragged us through all this drama? Or are you going to leave us hanging?

 

[Arielle22]

Op, if this is a deal breaker for you then there really isn't much else to say. For me, I would not suck it up and carry out the functions.

It is possible then when the messy people have to do their turn they will realize the error of their ways and be cleaner.

If I read your prior posts correctly you say you have been working at this job since late last year and left your prior job in 2008. If this is correct, unemployment may be a non issue since you won't have wages in your base period to qualify (outside of the issue of is it a valid claim).

A common misconception amone people is that a company cannot legally tell information about your employment to others. There is no law. A company could legally take out a billboard and post the reason an employee was fired if they want.

The defense against slander is that the company thought what they were saying was the truth. So if an employee was arrested and fired for theft then that information can be given out. However if the employee was fired because the company thought he was stealing but had no proof then the company cannot say "he was a thief".

 

[tomthebarncat]

Judgemental much. What dont you people get?? I didn't take a job that required cleaning!! I asked!! WAS TOLD NO CLEANING!! It was an administrative/clerical/computer postion. Offie work... not cleaning bathrooms etc.

If I had been told this was part of your duties fine, then I would have passed on the job!!

I own a home...lots of bedrooms 2 1/2 baths, 2 kids living at home and 5 pets. I do LOTS of cleaning. Work is my escape from that. ANd if I wanted a cleaning position I would take a job that required that. I don't take jobs that require that because it is not a job I want to do.

Why is that so hard to comprehend, does that make me better then others..no, must means I won't clean for a living. I also won't do manual labor jobs either. I am allowed to chose the employment I want to do. Which is what the interview process is about. They interview you, you interview them. They told me what they wanted me to do and what was required, and I told them what I wanted and was willing to do.

If he fires me so be it.

Wow, unless you are a Harvard graduate, and I am pretty sure your not, since your background is retail. I would drop the attitude and do what your employer tells you to do. Good luck on whatever happens next!

 

[tasha99]

Well, I think it's up to you. There is nothing wrong with saying, "I don't clean." You don't have to--but be prepared to lose your job and I don't think you would deserve unemployment benefits for refusing. Also understand that if they let you opt out of the cleaning tasks and let you stay, your co-workers may view you differently since basically you're refusing to do something they have to do. It would almost be worth it to work something out with them--if there is some other job they hate doing, offer to pick up extra slack there in trade.

But if it were me, I would just do the cleaning. Less hassle, less drama, and come on--there are always parts of a job that are not so fun.

 

[JoiseyMom]

OP did you talk to your boss about this yet?
Let us know what happens.

Well I told boss the other day that I needed to talk to him, he finally had some time today. He was ok with it, but said I needed to talk to his wife, she is the one who put together the schedule. She won't be back in the office until Tuesday, so I have to wait until then to speak to her.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Wow, unless you are a Harvard graduate, and I am pretty sure your not, since your background is retail. I would drop the attitude and do what your employer tells you to do. Good luck on whatever happens next!

Hmmm...assume much do ya?? Granted, I did not go to Harvard, had no interest in living in MA. I did go to an excellent college though. My background is not in retail...LOL.. I have had 2 retail jobs in the past 9 years as part time employment so I could be close to home, while my kids are in school and earn some extra money. I didn't realize that 2 retail jobs is a reason to assume that is someone's background. Judgemental much, but of course you are..this is the DIS!!

My BS Degree is in Computer Information Systems, and my background is the Financial Industry.

 

[JoiseyMom]

As a side note here, I do not have an attitude with my boss. My attitude is with the attacks I am having here, for OMG, not wanting to clean bathrooms (well bathrooms that aren't in my home). Everyone has things they are willing to do for a job/work/money. Mine is cleaning, I will not clean up after other people for work.

I will clean my office space, vacuum, dust etc. Not an issue. To those that are willing to clean toilets...have at it..enjoy!!

And being in the working world for decades in corporate and non-corp, I totally understand job duties changing. I have been re-orged so many times it was insane.


And in the wwyd, I meant in the best manner to approach the boss. I apologize for not being clearer in that respect. What is in ones mind when they are typing doesn't necessarily come across when they are done. It still doesn't justify the attacks I have received here...but since this is the DIS what else should I have expected.

 

[metalis4ever]

As a side note here, I do not have an attitude with my boss. My attitude is with the attacks I am having here, for OMG, not wanting to clean bathrooms (well bathrooms that aren't in my home). Everyone has things they are willing to do for a job/work/money. Mine is cleaning, I will not clean up after other people for work.

I will clean my office space, vacuum, dust etc. Not an issue. To those that are willing to clean toilets...have at it..enjoy!!

And being in the working world for decades in corporate and non-corp, I totally understand job duties changing. I have been re-orged so many times it was insane.


And in the wwyd, I meant in the best manner to approach the boss. I apologize for not being clearer in that respect. What is in ones mind when they are typing doesn't necessarily come across when they are done. It still doesn't justify the attacks I have received here...but since this is the DIS what else should I have expected.

Well said Good luck with your Female Boss, I personally would have done the same thing you did. Although it wasn't Haaaarvard (note the snobby pronunciation) I didn't go to College to clean toilets, that's where I draw the line. Having said that if I were in that situation and my Boss told me tough cookies you have to clean the bathroom, I would put a smile on my face and clean until I found a new job

Yeah this is a common theme on here which is why I try my best to stay away from the CB, but alas I always get pulled in

Anyway Good Luck I really hope it works out for you.....

 

[okeydokey]

Nobody wants to clean bathrooms, but if it is now part of the job and you don't want to do it, just offer your resignation. Pretty simple solution actually. Not sure why 11 pages of arguments were needed for this one.

 

[ccgirl]

Well I told boss the other day that I needed to talk to him, he finally had some time today. He was ok with it, but said I needed to talk to his wife, she is the one who put together the schedule. She won't be back in the office until Tuesday, so I have to wait until then to speak to her.

Good luck with your co-workers. I think they are the ones that are probably going to be the most upset. I'm sure they will wonder why they have to do it if you won't.

BTW, not sure why you mentioned that you didn't go to Harvard because you had no interest in living in MA.

 

[bettymae1121]

You know, if I was the owner of a small company and one of my employees had THIS big of an issue about a change in duties, I would want that employee to come to me with their concerns (in private and in a calm reasonable way, of course). I may or may not change my mind, depending on the situation, but I would always want my employees to feel free to voice their concerns or complaints to me. Who knows, the OP's boss may have a reasonable way to work around the OP's refusal to do bathrooms. But he won't know it's an issue unless she tells him.

OP, I persoally wouldn't have that big an issue doing bathrooms, but in your shoes, I'd pick a time when he seems to be in a good mood and speak to him privately. In a calm, non-accusational way, remind him that way back when you interviewed, you let him know that you have no interest in cleaning bathrooms, and that hasn't changed. Let him know that you're willing to do other cleaning duties, but you have to draw the line there. Based on what he says next, you can go on from there. You seem to accept the fact that it may come down to his letting you go over this, hopefully it won't come to that but just keep in mind that it could, and finding a new job in the current climate could be tough.

 

[npmommie]

I did not go to Harvard, had no interest in living in MA.

and what exactly is wrong with MA??

OP good luck on Tuesday with your other boss, I hope it all works out! fwiw I wouldn't want to clean toilets either.

 

[wvjules]

I wouldn't do it either. As for the argument that duties change? Come on people...a secreterial type position is being asked to do janitorial duties. Its not an additional duty...it is a whole new job classification. Adding extra typing or filing would be a change of duties not cleaning up someone else's mess or wiping up their urine.

I have had job duties added/amended all the time however they fall within the general realm of what I do. Cleaning is not even remotely close to what I was hired to do.

Maybe the other employee's will be mad at the OP or maybe the boss' wife will see that it was a bad idea and revamp the whole thing.

 

[Mickey's Minion]

Well I told boss the other day that I needed to talk to him, he finally had some time today. He was ok with it, but said I needed to talk to his wife, she is the one who put together the schedule. She won't be back in the office until Tuesday, so I have to wait until then to speak to her.

So, what did she say?

Hope you worked it out.

 

[C.Ann]

So, what did she say?

Hope you worked it out.

I've been wondering too..