Odd one out

I always say I'm very lucky to be able to work at a place where everyone's so friendly and nice to one another. Well, except for one. I won't say she's unfriendly, just that she works differently from most of us. You see, our job entails a few not so nice bits - toilet runs, diaper changing and tidying and keeping away all the toys. ALL THE TOYS. In the hall and outside the garden. Our pre-school shares the premise with the scouts and everything has to be put away in the storeroom at the end of each day, everyday. It is hardwork. But we take turns and we help one another. Except for that particular person. She seems to dislike doing all the 'dirty work'. I suppose none of us like doing them but it's part of the job. She'll cuddle a child for ages, try to make excuses and just don't help with the tidying. As a result, she has stepped on almost everyone's toes.

I used to dislike her. I had the feeling she likes to pick on me. Then I tried to see her positive side. She can be lovely if she wants to be. Usually, it's outside working hours, at social gatherings. Eventually, I managed to block out the negative side of her. Until last week. Two days in a row, she didn't move to help with tidying. This really annoyed one other staff. Last Friday, I was left all by myself in the garden to put away everything in the shed. I was outraged! At first I refused to start bringing things in the shed. I wanted to see if anyone would take the initiative. She was probably the only person other than me who could do it. One had to lead the children in and another was heavily pregnant. Of course she didn't! She just walked straight in. What to do? I had to do it then. When I came out of the shed after putting the first batch of stuff in, she came back out and said 2 children would help me put the toys away. I was so cross. I told her the children should be inside. Their parents were coming to pick them. Staff should be doing it not the children. She merely replied 'Ok then' and took the children in. How can I let the children help me? Doesn't she know about health and safety issues? What if a child gets hurt? I'll be responsible!

That aside, when I went back in after putting everything away, my colleague who was equally annoyed with her the day before complained that she had left downstairs in a total mess and didn't tidy up at all. She had to do it because it was her turn to stay indoors to do the tidying.

So today, we had a word with our boss. However, she was very protective over her. As always I was told by another colleague. Boss said she wasn't feeling well the whole of last week. She certainly didn't tell us. It's not the first time. She'd avoided bringing children to the toilet or change their clothes when they had accidents previously too. So it's no excuse.

A colleague said our boss will probably do something when all of us quit because of her. I hope my boss will act on it since many of us have complained. Watch this space.