How do I put this nicely? (advice needed with slight rant)

MLekathLEEN

There are two other girls I work with who are the same position as I am and we (usually meaning my friend and I split the duties). Usually, it is strictly 8 hour days, 5 days a week, with the exception of having school- then you take off that time. The newest employee, who I have recently complained about for doing nothing, wants to work 4-10 hours days and take Fridays off (I assume to start the weekend early). My boss is unsure whether to let her do it or not. The other girl and I both have a problem with this since it has never been an option given to anyone and if she's off Fridays, that means we would have  a hard time requesting Fridays off if we had to.
 
I'm already taking two Fridays off due to my foot and the other girl is taking the Friday I come back off. I'll be on limited duties for 6-8 weeks after that and won't be able to do about 70% of our daily duties. If new girl is off every Friday, the other girl can't take off because I won't be able to do everything by myself with crutches.

It's not a problem with work load since she doesn't do shiit anyways and anytime I ask her to do something she "has a million things to do". I figure, if she has so much work to do, maybe she should have that extra full day to get her duties done instead of splitting it between 4. That however, is catty and I sound like a compete biitch.

My boss has asked us our opinions on it but I don't know a way to say "AWW HELLZ NO!" without sounding whiney. I'd like to ask if we could all have that option but I ride in with my mom and if I took it, I'd have to pay for parking/extra gas/etc, plus I can't drive myself for 6-8 weeks.

He wants to have a meeting later to discuss our schedules. What could I say when he asks me my opinion? The other girl and I can't think of a tactful way to express our concerns.

Blue & White

Is there a way to have her do 9-80s?  (that's every other friday off)

While that still wouldn't make it FAIR for you or your other coworker, at least you'd have some Fridays that you could actually take off without too much hassle.

MLekathLEEN

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_put-this-nicely-advice-needed-slight-rant?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:7cf20100-aaee-4061-826e-3f81808a533fPost:22bc09a2-8bca-45e0-b9b2-2269c97e2ba2">Re: How do I put this nicely? (advice needed with slight rant)</a>:
[QUOTE]Is there a way to have her do 9-80s?  (that's every other friday off) While that still wouldn't make it FAIR for you or your other coworker, at least you'd have some Fridays that you could actually take off without too much hassle.
Posted by Blue & White[/QUOTE]

I didn't even think of that!

I would be more understanding about it if she had classes or something and wanted an entire 40 hour work week still. I know a lot of this is us being catty but it would tie up Fridays just so she can start drinking on Thursdays every week.

[Deleted User]

I think flexible schedules are appealing for many reasons...you probably shouldn't assume she's just trying to dodge out of work early. Once you questioning people about their personal time, it becomes a vicious cycle and you may not like the future impact that could have on your own schedule.

That aside, I would say something like this to your boss:
"I think flexible scheduling can be a wonderful option as long as we have the coverage we need. Have you given any thought to how we might handle vacation or sick days for (name) and me on Fridays? This could be a little tough with only two people scheduled."

Try to make sure any thoughts you share with your boss are business concerns and not personal.

Hazel_B

I don't think you are being catty. I'm accustomed to having to work my holidays around other people. However, never 3.

I think it is very fair to bring up your concerns that taking all Fridays off the schedule for her or anyone would have. Use your foot situation as an example. And, that summers could be even worse for making sure the job is covered. Mind you, where I work if you work a compressed day like that you don't get as many vacation days because your vacation hours are divided differently. Is this the same at your work? Is this coworker aware of this? Also, is there a way to ensure she is truly working those hours because she will be either coming in much earlier than others or leave way later.

I think Blue & White has a great suggestion about being able to take every other Friday off.

PaigeMcC

First off: I'm with you on the AHHHH HELLLZ NO BUT That's probably not the way to go here.  

I'd say talk to the boss about handling things when you or X want a Friday off.  Could she have every second Friday off?  Or suggest another day of the week.  Mondays, maybe.  Since she wants 4 days anyways, wouldn't Mondays work just as well as Fridays?  I'd talk to boss about all the concerns you have and be honest.  These are real concerns and they'll effect your work schedule so make sure you put it all on the table.  In the most professional way possible, of course.

calindi

I think Allusive said it quite right.  And I do think suggesting perhaps the girl could have every other Friday off if she worked 9 hour days, so that there leaves the option for you or the other girl to take a Friday off if you want to or need to. 

MLekathLEEN

Thanks ladies! I'm going to be honest about it and my concerns on coverage for those Fridays, suggesting 9-13's if I need to. My boss doesn't seem comfortable with giving it to her though so I may not have to say much.

We don't have any sort of benefits or vacation days. If we need off, we take off. Making sure there is enough coverage for the day. If we're here we get paid, if not we don't.

The reason I said an extra day of drinking is because she told me she was trying to have Fridays off to make her weekends longer. She's quite the partier on the weekends. It's an assumption but whatev.

heyimbren

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_put-this-nicely-advice-needed-slight-rant?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:7cf20100-aaee-4061-826e-3f81808a533fPost:7c6ee780-8915-4888-9a95-06844d0124c3">Re: How do I put this nicely? (advice needed with slight rant)</a>:
[QUOTE]I think flexible schedules are appealing for many reasons...you probably shouldn't assume she's just trying to dodge out of work early. Once you questioning people about their personal time, it becomes a vicious cycle and you may not like the future impact that could have on your own schedule. That aside, I would say something like this to your boss:<strong> "I think flexible scheduling can be a wonderful option as long as we have the coverage we need. Have you given any thought to how we might handle vacation or sick days for (name) and me on Fridays? This could be a little tough with only two people scheduled." Try to make sure any thoughts you share with your boss are business concerns and not personal.
</strong>Posted by allusive007[/QUOTE]

I really like this suggestion.

Ekath, I have a coworker who takes every Monday off but she also comes in earlier some days during the week to make up for it. I'll be honest, it still ticks everyone off except for my boss because he isn't around enough to notice just how overworked it can get. So there are definitely legitimate business concerns over that- flexible hours are nice as an OPTION but I dislike the idea of them being the norm in a workplace that normally has firmer work days for everyone else.

cu97tiger

OP - The other thing you could do is tell your boss that while you're restricted (for the next to 6-8 weeks) it will be very difficult scheduling and coverage-wise, but that you're open to it once both you and your friend are at 100%. Then you can talk about each doing 4-10's (or 9-9's) and scheduling different days off. Plus, it gives your boss two more months of evaluating where the new person deserves to have a flexible schedule.

To be fair, she should get EVERY Friday off, but it would be nice to leave it open if you occasionally wanted a Friday, or a Monday, or heck, a Wednesday off!

loves2shop4shoes

I think I'm probably too much of a biitch to give good advice on this one.  I would probably just say I'm not comfortable with it...as nicely as I could.

leia1979

I think allusive put it well.

Basically something to the effect that you're concerned that new person being on a special schedule could make it difficult to ensure adequate coverage on Fridays. And while this is a little harder to get in...depends on your boss: If X will be granted a special schedule, then the other employees should also have that option available to them.

desertsun

I like the way allusive put it. It's legitimate to be concerned about having enough people to cover.

I also think that if this person doesn't do anything and has talked about wanting longer weekends and talked at work about her partying, those are legit concerns to bring up with your boss, as long as you do so in private and in a constructive way. As in, mention that you'd like to see more effective communication and increased accountability in exchange for flexible scheduling, to ensure that the needs of the business are being met. Also point out that flexible scheduling should be an option for all employees if it's an option for one. I think that there are totally ways of talking about your concerns while remaining professional.