I am BLAZING mad!

[twiggy2]

So what are people supposed to do? Let their animals suffer? Not call a vet? It is not always possible to find someone else to be with your animals in an emergency.

Also would you say the same if it was someone's child or elderly relative for example? I highly doubt it. Animals are no less of a cocommitment.

Please don't try to put words in my mouth and there really isn't any need for such an aggressive tone.
I have spent many years being the person that dealt with animal emergencies for people so I get how it works and how difficult it can be.
As I said I am surprised by the replies on here.

 

[View]

OP, it’s the veiled threat I would take exception to.

No sensible manager wants people at work whose minds are not on the job. My usual response is just go, and we’ll sort out how we pay you afterwards.

 

[canteron]

Just remember don’t get mad, get even.

So yep, leave your job if that is what is needed, but in a way that suits you and gets you the position you want.

I would spend the weekend brushing up my interview technique!!

 

[Gallop_Away]

Please don't try to put words in my mouth and there really isn't any need for such an aggressive tone.
I have spent many years being the person that dealt with animal emergencies for people so I get how it works and how difficult it can be.
As I said I am surprised by the replies on here.

Not putting words in your mouth I'm just asking since you say people should not expect time off for sick pets, what you would suggest they do in that situation? It is not always possible or fair to expect someone else to step in and care for your sick animal, deal with vets etc, so what are people meant to do?

ETA I would not expect PAID time off to care for my horses in an emergency, but I do expect understanding from my boss that it is an emergency and I NEED time off to deal with this. But equally I would fully be prepared to work this time back or have it unpaid/taken from leave.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

I wouldn’t expect time off for animal emergencies either.

I have two freelance grooms who I use regularly, and two other local freelancers who I’ve used ad-hoc. When I’ve had unwell horses and I’ve been at work, I have paid them to be there for vets. I also have our pro rider who I have had to ask to handle a suspected colic for a vet once before (horse was actually fine) and she was there, no questions asked.

And I have two neighbors, and a nearby YO on our emergency contact list.

When we’ve lost horses, I haven’t told anyone at work, I’ve just carried on as usual. I wouldn’t want anyone feeling like they have to treat me differently because of a personal issue, to me work is work. Then I get home and cry in the shower.

 

[Alwaysmoretoknow]

The variety of replies and povs on here are interesting.

To make things clear, I have always scheduled routine appointments for jabs, farrier, dentist for the horses and other sundry vet appointments for the pets from my annual leave.

I am/was not quibbling about wither I was going to have the 1 hour late and the 1.5 leaving early either unpaid or deducted from my annual leave - either is reasonable.

What I am angry about is the assumption that it would be appropriate to leave an elderly pony with a potentially fatal and horrifically painful condition untreated (luckily this wasn't the case and it was only mild spasmodic but it could have been different) in order to fulfill a function that could have been undertaken in an emergency by another staff member or by the boss herself who lives literally 5 minutes walk from the office and who could readily have spared the time to do the 10 minutes it would have taken to authorise the necessary payments. I expect animal welfare organisations would have had something to say if I had just sloped off to work and come home to a dead pony who died in horrific circumstances.

As a btw, one member of the team, although technically on annual leave, is actually unable to come to work as a result of mental health issues due to bullying by her line manager.

And furthermore more, as a result of this, I was actually the only one of the team (I use the term loosely) in work one day last week and still managed to cover the most urgent tasks for the other three missing colleagues as well as doing my own job. For which I have had no thanks or recognition. Also, amusingly (not for the clients) the senior manager who had to step up to be the second person authorising payments failed to press the button at the end of the online banking process and they didn't get sent. You had one job ffs!

Reflecting on this I really do need to find a better employer. And managers on here should perhaps also consider that, as some other posters on here commented, you get what you give with the consideration that you treat your employees with and their resulting loyalty.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

It is very obvious from some of the posts which members would easily be able to rearrange their own time to allow them to deal with an emergency and those who have to involve a manager in the process.

 

[Alwaysmoretoknow]

For further clarification, I keep my three retired and ethically unrehomable horses near my home on rented grazing which is the only way I can afford to keep them so don't have the back up of a livery yard et al.

 

[little_critter]

I’d be ok now as I’m on part livery so the YO could step in if absolutely needed (although I would certainly want to be there and would do my utmost to be there)
Previously I was on a 100% DIY yard. The YO did nothing with the horses. if I’d had a horse emergency there I would have had no backup, I would have needed to be there.

 

[Red-1]

It is very obvious from some of the posts which members would easily be able to rearrange their own time to allow them to deal with an emergency and those who have to involve a manager in the process.

It is also not so easy for me, keeping them at home. It would be easier if they were at livery.

I do all normal vets visits when I am on holiday. I pay the extra cost rather than the zone visits. I have cover for extra vets visits, like when Rigs had asthma. The time I rang to say I wouldn't be in was when he was seriously ill and could have died. I can't expect other people to cover that and I happen to think his chances were better with me at home.

Legally, employers don't have to treat pets like children. However, I think the ones who are flexible get more from employees.

BTW, mum had covid when she died, and I was visiting on death watch, so I had to be off work (rules of the time). However, I was doing emotional support teams sessions, so working in a challenging task. I logged on the morning she died and again the next morning for another meeting. The meeting the morning after didn't take place as the teacher who was setting the child up presumed I wouldn't be there. I was there. I am not a pee taker. That is because it is a good employer.

A good manager will weed out the pee takers and be able to give time to loyal employees who need it. A weak manager has discontented employees who score points from each other and feel badly about the firm. Any business should have a contingency in the case of incapacity of a staff member. Yes, it is more difficult in some jobs than others, but if time off for an incapacitated employee is not possible, then the job need reorganising.

 

[TPO]

I wouldn't want anyone stepping in for me tbh. For routine stuff or emergencies that I'm on my way to I'm lucky now that the parents live on site so can do that. When I was on livery and when stuff goes wrong out of the blue now I'm there. Apart from my inability to trust anyone I don't think it's fair to put someone else in that position. I couldn't imagine having someone in place to possibly have to make a serious decision in my place when I could have used leave (paid or not) to get there.

Obviously there are times when it's impossible to be there; be it you're out of the country on holiday, uncontactable, things happen too quickly. I just can't imagine expecting anyone, other than mum (that I'm lucky to have there) to deal in an emergency. Also if your horse is on full livery it would be the hope that your horse was managed by competent people, but I'd still want to be alerted asap and get there as soon as I could.

Like I say I'm lucky that I've always had accommodating managers. I'm a good worker and go above and beyond so there's never any doubt that I'd catch up on work and make up time, even although I always use annual leave.

I don't know what I'd do with a less accommodating manager but I'm guessing it would be along the lines of it being easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.

 

[windswoo]

I'm sorry if my animal is ill, I am not having someone else sort them out with the vets.
I wouldn't say that to someone with a poorly child, so I think it's a bit rude that some of the later posters think that is a suitable response.
If my animal needs the vet then I will be there and if it is an emergency then I really don't care what my boss might say or do.
I'm lucky that OH and I can either be there if needed straight away, but if I was at work and OH called to say it was bad - would I stay at work hell no.
Just as none of you with children would either.
OP you definitely sound to good for where you work, where just a little bit of understanding may have helped. Hopefully your boss may have also had time to reflect over the weekend and realise that they were out of line.

 

[Gallop_Away]

I'm sorry if my animal is ill, I am not having someone else sort them out with the vets.
I wouldn't say that to someone with a poorly child, so I think it's a bit rude that some of the later posters think that is a suitable response.
If my animal needs the vet then I will be there and if it is an emergency then I really don't care what my boss might say or do.

Exactly! To be honest I wouldn't want to put an emergency animal on someone else to deal with.

In the OP's case for example, I think most of us know how quickly colic can go from seemingly mild to life threatening very quickly. I wouldn't want to put that on someone else's shoulders to deal with for me. Heaven forbid it was the worst case scenario and the horse had to be pts. I certainly don't feel that should be anyone else's decision or responsibility other than my own (different if I was away or physically couldn't get there in time). I could never just tootle off to work and let someone else deal with one of my sick horses. They are my horses and therefore they are my responsibility. They come before everything including work.

While I appreciate people's work is important to them, it is worth remembering that everyone is replacable at work, no matter how important you think your job is. Life is far too short. We work to live, not the other way around.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

I'm sorry if my animal is ill, I am not having someone else sort them out with the vets.
I wouldn't say that to someone with a poorly child, so I think it's a bit rude that some of the later posters think that is a suitable response.
If my animal needs the vet then I will be there and if it is an emergency then I really don't care what my boss might say or do.
I'm lucky that OH and I can either be there if needed straight away, but if I was at work and OH called to say it was bad - would I stay at work hell no.
Just as none of you with children would either.

I look at it differently. I wouldn’t hire anyone who I wasn’t happy to have handle vet issues. If they aren’t competent enough to handle that, then how could I trust them if there was an accident or emergency while they were riding / handling my horses? I trust my vet and I trust the people handling my horses - otherwise they wouldn’t be near them.

In the ideal world, I’m sure we’d all be there, and of course I would make sure I was there as soon as is reasonably possible.

But if I’m at work, and I need to be there, then I see it as my responsibility to make sure that my decision to have horses doesn’t impact on my ability to do my job.

I’ve had to make a decision to pts over the phone and couldn’t be there personally (horse was in a different country). Not great for anyone involved but everyone handled it professionally.

I’ve had a hopping lame one x-rayed while I was presenting at a conference, and had text updates from the groom.

My false alarm colicky one was on livery but I wanted someone there as my representative so our rider attended. I had a serious situation at work which could have resulted in losing the company, and over 200 people losing their jobs.

If I can’t get away from work then it’s imperative that I have a network around me to ensure that the horses needs are met.

 

[nagblagger]

It would be interesting to do a survey in the work that the people would leave immediately versus the ones that would try and get cover etc first.

I think we all agree that in an ideal world it would be great to just 'down tools' and go, but in some work situations that is not possible. It doesn't mean we think any less of our animals and i would argue that point.
A few years ago my horse had a traumatic injury in the field, i knew it would take me at least 50 mins to get there from work, also there was no way at that time i could leave, as there was a true life and death situation. I organised the knackerman and my OH to get there, so within 30 mins he was out of pain and distress.

I had to continue 'to be professional' at work (bereaved relatives) and could only 'crack up' in the car on the way home, so please don't judge, as guilt of not being there lasts for a long time.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

It would be interesting to do a survey in the work that the people would leave immediately versus the ones that would try and get cover etc first.

I think we all agree that in an ideal world it would be great to just 'down tools' and go, but in some work situations that is not possible. It doesn't mean we think any less of our animals and i would argue that point.
A few years ago my horse had a traumatic injury in the field, i knew it would take me at least 50 mins to get there from work, also there was no way at that time i could leave, as there was a true life and death situation. I organised the knackerman and my OH to get there, so within 30 mins he was out of pain and distress.

I had to continue 'to be professional' at work (bereaved relatives) and could only 'crack up' in the car on the way home, so please don't judge, as guilt of not being there lasts for a long time.

I liked this not because I ‘like’ it but I absolutely get it.

 

[honetpot]

I hate lying, but experience has taught me that being honest about why you need time off urgently, even for a child being in hospital, is more hassle than it is worth. I just ring in sick, and I have been to work when I was unwell because we had so few staff.
I have seen what work stress does to people, and your health comes first, if they were more caring about their staff, time off wouldn't be a problem. After fifty years of working believe me, everyone is replaceable, and they will ditch you without a wince.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

It's terrible it ended the way it did with GrayMo, but I love so much what your boss did.

She would always do anything she could to help an injured animal. And obviously we do keep various drugs on the yard which she is more than happy to use if needed. Humans are another subject entirely

The day went down as annual leave which is totally fine and I wouldn't have expected anything other. I was in work the next day. Not just because I am a practical person but because I like to keep busy and sitting at home would have done me no good what so ever.

 

[ycbm]

I think this comes down to whether you have a job where you can simply take time out or not. If you don't, and some people don't for whatever reason, then you need cover if you can't get there.

The problem here as I see it is that the OP thought they did have a job they could be absent from, and then found out they don't, not because of the job but because of the boss's inflexibility.

In that situation the options seem to be to get cover for the next time or get another job. In a jobseekers market it would probably benefit the employer to be more flexible.
.

 

[lynz88]

I'm lucky to have had very understanding employers...mostly comparing my horse to a child (they've all had children...I've got my horse).

I know I would have turned around and said things that I could never take back (if I knew I could "afford" to), especially given that what....60 or 75% of staff had been given leave? Whose fault is that if an emergency comes up with remaining staff?!?! next time, I would just be taking sick leave. Doesn't get questioned....

 

[twiggy2]

I look at it differently. I wouldn’t hire anyone who I wasn’t happy to have handle vet issues. If they aren’t competent enough to handle that, then how could I trust them if there was an accident or emergency while they were riding / handling my horses? I trust my vet and I trust the people handling my horses - otherwise they wouldn’t be near them.

In the ideal world, I’m sure we’d all be there, and of course I would make sure I was there as soon as is reasonably possible.

But if I’m at work, and I need to be there, then I see it as my responsibility to make sure that my decision to have horses doesn’t impact on my ability to do my job.

This, its put very well and is exactly how I feel.
For everyone saying they would leave work, if a freelance groom was looking after your horses whilst you were in a different country and they had an emergency with their own pet, how would it work out if you got a call to say they couldn't do your pet/s that day?
I have always felt that I take a job and its a big responsibility, I have always made sure there is a network to provide care when needed for my own animals or I have taken a job that knows and allows for pet emergencies from the start, even as a vet receptionist I have had to leave my pets in the care of others to go to work in the past.

 

[lynz88]

I do agree with you GS and twiggy2 to an extent...but if you *can* and/or *should* be at the yard for an issue, then I am a firm believer that you should. It shouldN'T be for every single injury or issue.

 

[Widgeon]

Will now be looking for a new job.
AITA?

I think that given your previously impeccable record for never missing work days, your boss's total lack of consideration is unreasonable. If you're good at your job (and it sounds like you are) I think you need to find a new job that values you more, and a boss with a better attitude towards employees' out of work responsibilities. Honestly, I would start looking right now, and get some interviews lined up ASAP if possible. I wouldn't be at all surprised if your boss backs down (I would still leave though).

 

[little_critter]

I think this comes down to whether you have a job where you can simply leave or not. If you don't, and some people don't for whatever reason, then you need cover if you can't get there.

The problem here as I see it is that the OP thought they did have a job they could be absent from, and then found out they don't, not because of the job but because of the boss's inflexibility.

In that situation the options seem to be to get cover for the next time or get another job. In a jobseekers market it would probably benefit the employer to be more flexible.
.

How would this work on a practical level?
You are a diy livery, you do your horses either end of the work day and it’s not a problem…..until one day a fellow livery calls to say your horse has an emergency.
What ‘cover’ are you supposed to have in place? Should you pay a retainer to a groom who you will never use 364 days of the year to drop whatever they are doing and come and be with your horse?
Finding a groom last minute just isn’t going to happen. And I doubt a groom would want to take on a job where their first meeting and first time on the yard is in an emergency situation.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

How would this work on a practical level?
You are a diy livery, you do your horses either end of the work day and it’s not a problem…..until one day a fellow livery calls to say your horse has an emergency.
What ‘cover’ are you supposed to have in place? Should you pay a retainer to a groom who you will never use 364 days of the year to drop whatever they are doing and come and be with your horse?
Finding a groom last minute just isn’t going to happen. And I doubt a groom would want to take on a job where their first meeting and first time on the yard is in an emergency situation.

If you are on DIY, would you not have cover for when you’re away / ill / have a sick child / car blows up / family member falls ill?

I’ve always used that cover - usually a freelancer but sometimes a trusted friend who I would do the same for.

 

[little_critter]

If you are on DIY, would you not have cover for when you’re away / ill / have a sick child / car blows up / family member falls ill?

I’ve always used that cover - usually a freelancer but sometimes a trusted friend who I would do the same for.

We used to cover each other for holidays but that was pre arranged and generally only in summer when the horses were out 24/7 anyway.
If I was sick or the car blew up a fellow livery could do the minimum (check water, Chuck hay in and a quick skip out) but they couldn’t be hanging around for a vet etc, they have a job to get to too.

 

[criso]

If you are on DIY, would you not have cover for when you’re away / ill / have a sick child / car blows up / family member falls ill?

Would you say the same to a parent and ask them shouldn't they have a back up plan when childcare lets them down or their child is sick?

I would also turn it back to the employers and say should you have cover for emergencies if an essential member of staff has a problem.

When I was working in a job that did require me to be there at a certain time I had a plumbing emergency. I couldn't leave the house all day till it was sorted. They had to work something out.

I've also sat in reception at horsepital having borrowed their WiFi password and worked between procedures when I wasn't needed so I didn't let anyone down.

Sometimes things happen outside your control be it animal, child or domestic and I genuinely feel they should be treated equally.
.

 

[Clodagh]

I’m not sure it’s practical to always have potential cover on standby? Sometimes shit just happens and the workplace has to deal. No matter how important you are in your job if you died on your way to work they’d cope, wouldn’t they?

 

[nagblagger]

I think its different if you are not at work, but getting emergency cover when you are at work, in certain jobs, is extremely difficult. Also my conscience wouldn't let me just walk out if there was a sensitive, emergency incident occurring.
I (hopefully!) have friends that would help me out, until i could get there, and i would do the same for them. Surely that's what true friends are, they help each other in times of need.

 

[View]

I’m not sure it’s practical to always have potential cover on standby? Sometimes shit just happens and the workplace has to deal. No matter how important you are in your job if you died on your way to work they’d cope, wouldn’t they?

I don’t expect our employees to have cover on standby for sick children - but for sniffles or childcare breaking down I do expect them to have found alternative arrangements after 3 days. And on top of that, they can swap rest days with colleagues, so potentially 5 days to source alternative arrangements.

Of course there are all sorts of domestic emergencies which necessitate taking time off to sort them out. Sensible employers understand this, but employees also need to understand and not abuse this. Sometimes my staff have to help themselves in order that I can help them.