Do people not THINK? (rant)

I am on jury service next month, for at least the first week. I submitted a letter from my company, but my application to be excused was declined. Work has been aware of this since April.

I just had a meeting notice to say that ALL my guys (branch manager and reps) are going down to head office for a marketing meeting for 2 days at the beginning of the month. That leaves my brand new, unreliable storeman, who has no idea how to do anything associated with the office, to run the office, unassisted, with no one in phone contact.

I phoned down to head office and said, politely, WTF? And got a 'Well, that's your problem. You're going to have to sort something out' for my trouble !!!!!

I have so much on my plate at the moment with trying to learn all the warehouse stuff, ordering etc, and my own job which is frantic that ... well. It's 1.40pm, and I haven't had time for even a hot drink yet today. I did make one, and in a rush, spilled it all over the floor, and haven't had time since! I can't train our storeman in 2 weeks ... let alone with all the things I have going on in those 2 weeks! Not to mention that he'll be alone at the beginning of the month (trust me, the workload in the first few days of the month is horrendous - everybody hits you for everything). He'll no know how to get delivery addressed, customer numbers, prices, he has no idea who has accounts and who doesn't, or how to find out ... it's just ridiculous! on't even get me started on technical queries.

What on earth am I going to do? I was vibrating with stress before this even came up ...

My inclination is to close the branch down. But, what I have done in the meantime is asked the girl who used to work here whether it's possible for her to come in for those 2 days (she's moving overseas, and finishes her current job at the end of this month).

Thanks for listening ...



Edited by ginger

Deep breath. Phone the courts (there should be a contact number on the letter) and explain the situation over the phone to them...even if they could swap you out of this rotation and into the next. If you being on Jury service means that a branch will close down, it will have an adverse effect on your employment and the waivers for jury service clearly state that it's a reason for exemption. Good luck..and if all else fails, eat something chocolate.

That totally sucks! Stupid head office. What if you had fallen ill with something that kept ou off for a week or two (like labrythitis), they would sort something out then.

I do think trying again to get you off is a good idea. Otherwise the company is gonna have to sort things out. You dont getpaid enough for this stress!!!

If something has come up since your company wrote a letter, and there will now be no one in the office besides a newbie at the time of the jury call, then perhaps a further letter should be written? Otherwise calling in that other girl sounds like a good idea. And hopefully even when you turn up at court you won't be requested.