Page 2 | To think we shouldn't have to work the day before Christmas Eve?

blinddoorshyt · 2024-12-05T09:33:35+00:00

I work in a bathroom shop. We are closed over Christmas and were lead to believe we broke up on the 22nd Turns out now we don't On the 23rd we have to travel to Manchester (3 hours each way ) to have a buffet and games with the company owner. We have to listen to a presentation on how the company's done this year. If we don't go we will have a day deducted from our salary. It's the day before Christmas Eve and we have to drive to Manchester to have picky food with the owner and play Christmas games. Aibu to think it's ridiculous? And we have been repeatedly told if we don't go we won't get paid and it will halt any progression in the company !

TeaMistress · 12/12/2024 11:30

So the fat cat won't even be there!!! Referring to his speech as "The King's Speech" . What an utterly tone deaf wankbadger. Can you pull your colleagues aside and as a group then agree that none of you will be indulging this nonsense. Dragging you all that way for some pointless "games" and a video link speech...if he wants a video link speech then surely they can send you all the link which can be viewed from anywhere.

TheFormidableMrsC · 12/12/2024 11:03

Laurmolonlabe · 12/12/2024 10:22

Your boss definitely sounds like a dick, but the painful truth is he owns your day- Christmas Eve is a working day, but you should be compensated for the travel, but there is no possibility of claiming he can't do this, because he can.
I would seriously consider looking for another job and handing your notice in.

It's not Christmas Eve, it's the day before. So probably the busiest travel day of the year. The business shuts on the 20th. Even the prick who organised this shitshow isn't going.

TimeForTeaAndG · 12/12/2024 10:50

If it's going to be a video call then just say no and ask for the link to be emailed to you so you can join. What an actual pisstake.

Itsafunione · 12/12/2024 10:26

The owner not being there is the final kick in the teeth 😂 I’m assuming he’s not based in Manchester and he basically said “ hell
no am I traveling any distance on the 23rd - that would be awful - but the plebs can and what’s more I won’t even reimburse their travel costs”.

He sounds totally egotistical as well as foolish and inconsiderate “the kings speech”.

I can’t believe you’re actually going - it definitely wouldn’t be me.

I’d opt out and take it as leave, who’d even want to progress in a company ran by someone who makes these sort of unnecessary demands on his employees?

Unfortunately this is partly why things like this persist in the UK, too many people go along with it and just quietly moan.

Laurmolonlabe · 12/12/2024 10:22

Your boss definitely sounds like a dick, but the painful truth is he owns your day- Christmas Eve is a working day, but you should be compensated for the travel, but there is no possibility of claiming he can't do this, because he can.
I would seriously consider looking for another job and handing your notice in.

Donsyb · 12/12/2024 10:15

blinddoorshyt · 12/12/2024 09:29

Nope they aren't covering travel costs
All of our shop are going down in 1 car
We are hoping for bad weather so we can get out of it

What does your contract say about travel expenses?

I have never worked anywhere that didn’t cover them and wouldn’t work for someone that doesn’t.

Isatis · 12/12/2024 10:04

blinddoorshyt · 12/12/2024 08:39

Okay so the official running order of the day is out and it gets better ...the owner isn't even going to be there he's doing a live video link at 1 pm and calling it "the kings speech " till 2pm

So we arrive 9am
9-12 is games
12-1 is lunch
1-2 pm is the kings speech
2-5 more games

So after him dragging us all to Manchester he isn't going to be there

This is insane. You've presumably got to leave before 6 am and won't be back before 8 pm? 6 bloody hours of games?

Has anyone spoken to HR about all this? Is anyone in a union?

Maybe if the owner isn't there you can all mutually agree to succumb to mass food poisoning at 2.05 pm?

TheFormidableMrsC · 12/12/2024 09:50

I can't believe you're even entertaining this. It's ludicrous. The Kings speech! Fucking hell 🙄

Theunamedcat · 12/12/2024 09:41

My battery has just died today it's extremely difficult to get a replacement

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 12/12/2024 09:37

blinddoorshyt · 12/12/2024 09:29

Nope they aren't covering travel costs
All of our shop are going down in 1 car
We are hoping for bad weather so we can get out of it

You should all just say no. Or pretend you got a flat tyre.

PowerRangersAuntie · 12/12/2024 09:32

blinddoorshyt · 12/12/2024 09:29

Nope they aren't covering travel costs
All of our shop are going down in 1 car
We are hoping for bad weather so we can get out of it

What a complete arse he is!

Original poster

blinddoorshyt · 12/12/2024 09:29

Nope they aren't covering travel costs
All of our shop are going down in 1 car
We are hoping for bad weather so we can get out of it

OP posts:

TheFormidableMrsC · 12/12/2024 09:20

blinddoorshyt · 12/12/2024 08:39

Okay so the official running order of the day is out and it gets better ...the owner isn't even going to be there he's doing a live video link at 1 pm and calling it "the kings speech " till 2pm

So we arrive 9am
9-12 is games
12-1 is lunch
1-2 pm is the kings speech
2-5 more games

So after him dragging us all to Manchester he isn't going to be there

You're obviously not going right?

FoxtonFoxton · 12/12/2024 09:20

'The King's Speech' made me actually lol and simultaneously cringe. Very David Brent.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 12/12/2024 09:02

blinddoorshyt · 12/12/2024 08:39

Okay so the official running order of the day is out and it gets better ...the owner isn't even going to be there he's doing a live video link at 1 pm and calling it "the kings speech " till 2pm

So we arrive 9am
9-12 is games
12-1 is lunch
1-2 pm is the kings speech
2-5 more games

So after him dragging us all to Manchester he isn't going to be there

Are you seriously planning on going?

Do you even earn more in a day than the petrol will cost?

CrayonCritic5 · 12/12/2024 08:59

This is so insane i think you should hand in your notice as a direct response tbh 😆.

How disrespectful is that video call?!

Also - stressing every out mentally and physically for 6 hours of games?

Fluffyiguana · 12/12/2024 08:57

blinddoorshyt · 12/12/2024 08:39

Okay so the official running order of the day is out and it gets better ...the owner isn't even going to be there he's doing a live video link at 1 pm and calling it "the kings speech " till 2pm

So we arrive 9am
9-12 is games
12-1 is lunch
1-2 pm is the kings speech
2-5 more games

So after him dragging us all to Manchester he isn't going to be there

Sounds like a complete pisstake!

have they finally agreed to cover the travel costs??

Original poster

blinddoorshyt · 12/12/2024 08:39

Okay so the official running order of the day is out and it gets better ...the owner isn't even going to be there he's doing a live video link at 1 pm and calling it "the kings speech " till 2pm

So we arrive 9am
9-12 is games
12-1 is lunch
1-2 pm is the kings speech
2-5 more games

So after him dragging us all to Manchester he isn't going to be there

OP posts:

Donttellempike · 11/12/2024 15:21

Negativefeedback1 · 11/12/2024 00:22

Yes, I agree with most posters, it’s a normal working day. I will be working until 6pm, colleagues until 7pm, on Christmas Eve and we open again at 8am on the 27th so I think you should be grateful that you have extra time off. I would love if we could finish early on Christmas Eve even.

Try reading the thread

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 11/12/2024 15:13

ThatIsNotMyNameSoWhyAreYouCallingMeThat · 11/12/2024 15:08

May be a clause allowing them to require her to travel…

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She says there's nothing in her contract about travelling.

In general, if you work in a shop earning minimum wage or not much above it, you're not required to travel for work. And if you have the kind of job where you are required to travel for work, you're not only likely to be better paid, but you are appropriately compensated for your travel time and expenses.

My contract has a clause in it about business travel. If I were required to spend a day somewhere three hours away starting at 9am and finishing at 6pm, you can bet your life I'd be put up in a hotel the night before and both my accommodation and travel costs would be expensed (as well as any meals I had to buy). And the chances of my employer scheduling something like that the day before the Christmas holidays in the absence of a dire business related emergency are pretty much zero.

Even in the public sector if you have to travel for work you get your train ticket paid for and a lunch allowance.

ThatIsNotMyNameSoWhyAreYouCallingMeThat · 11/12/2024 15:08

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 11/12/2024 14:47

It's neither within her contracted hours (when you include the 6 hours of travel time) nor in her contracted location.

Show quote history

May be a clause allowing them to require her to travel…

PowerRangersAuntie · 11/12/2024 15:06

JenniferBooth · 11/12/2024 13:47

READ THE FUCKING THREAD

Show quote history

😂 quite!

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 11/12/2024 14:47

RM2013 · 11/12/2024 00:24

It’s a normal working day as not a bank
holiday and if it’s within your contracted normal hours then I would expect you to have to work. I’m having to work Christmas Eve as it’s not a BH and it’s one of my normal contracted days to work and we can’t book annual leave. It sucks but at least I have Christmas Day and Boxing Day off after working many years in an industry where every day is a normal working day

It's neither within her contracted hours (when you include the 6 hours of travel time) nor in her contracted location.

JenniferBooth · 11/12/2024 13:47

Negativefeedback1 · 11/12/2024 00:22

Yes, I agree with most posters, it’s a normal working day. I will be working until 6pm, colleagues until 7pm, on Christmas Eve and we open again at 8am on the 27th so I think you should be grateful that you have extra time off. I would love if we could finish early on Christmas Eve even.

READ THE FUCKING THREAD

Biker47 · 11/12/2024 01:54

Also to add, just a few months ago, I had to go on a one day training course, it was 3 hours away, it was booked 3 months in advance, I was given a hire car, a hotel room the night before the course as it started at 8am, paid travelling time at overtime rate, still paid my day rate plus shift premium for 2 days I wasn't at work, and claimed for food and fuel used.