To tell them to F*** off and quit before the Christmas break?

I'd let them sack me, then threaten them with an industrial tribunal for unfair dismissal. My new 'job' would be causing them as mush irritation as possible.

Well, it's not in your contracted hours so they can't do anything. If they try to discipline you for spending your free time on a weekend doing as you please, then let them! You could potentially raise a grievance/ take legal action or whatever if it's a chain. They won't have a leg to stand on, not to mention it's completely unreasonable.

And yes, hand your notice in! I'm sure places are crying out for childcare, and if not I'm sure you could set up on your own as a childminder?

This

Management are behaving appallingly OP and you are under no obligation whatsoever to attend tomorrow.
They are bullying you and wouldn't get away with it in an employment tribunal.
Disciplinary action and warnings??????
Their reputation would be in tatters if this came out.
Enjoy your weekend and Christmas break

I don't mean to make light but... hahaha they are ridiculous. I work for a union. If your case landed in my inbox... well. I'd have plenty to say to your employer.

I reckon it's likely to be an empty threat, if none of you turned up literally what are they gonna do?!

If not an empty threat, I'd be interested to see the grounds for a disciplinary over this. They can't just sack you over this without a process.

Everyone saying to take a tribunal claim... yes, on the face of it, it sounds to me like there would likely be a claim (sorry I always hedge my bets a little without actually seeing the paperwork and getting a full account of events). It does take a long time at present. Doesn't mean it's not worth considering - do look at the time limits for claims.

Look to your future, whatever happens. It's not worth it, surely, working for people like this. Especially as you say when there is other work available to you.

I wouldn’t quit yet, I’d maybe not go to the event and then see if they sack you like they’re threatened to do. This allows you more time to find a new job. But I absolutely wouldn’t be going to the event. Especially as they only told you Tuesday. Id have said at the time “sorry no, I have tickets for xyz” or whatever. I certainly wouldn’t go.

Leave now, imagine how relieved you are going to feel to never have to go back there again, Relax and enjoy Christmas and then focus on finding work where you are appreciated. I have left a couple of jobs in the past and it all worked out in the end. Good luck

I'd love to share anything incriminating with Ofsted ...🍀 good luck OP

Email your resignation tonight, don't go tomorrow, and contact the charity that they intend to donate to and let them know that the fundraiser depends on labour exploitation because I doubt that they'll want to accept the money (I work for a big charity and we take due diligience around what donations we accept seriously because lots of bad organisations are trying to make themselves good by donating money). Copy your bosses in to the email to the charity for good measure.

Yeah get out of there. I've been working in nurseries for 20 years and I've come across a few of these. The first one, I also stayed for 3 years. It was such a relief when I finally left. Please, for your own sanity, get the hell out. Especially if you have your partners support. Life is too short for that crap.

I wouldn’t resign. I would t turn up tomorrow, and if they sack you, sue them for wrongful dismissal

To be truthful a tribunal is a lot of work and stress and won’t make you a millionaire

what? why would you think that?

it is a lot of work. But OPs union will help there. Frankly? it is always worth doing. Because employers who behave like this need to learn.

In OPs shoes i would tell them i'm not going to be there, and then just turn up at work on Monday and play it by ear. If they sack her? work your notice, look for a new job, take them to tribunal.

If they don't sack her? all good but look for a new job.

Do not quit. If you quit, you won't get anything else.

Do not go to the event, and make it clear you won't be going.
I'd they sack you, sue them for unfair dismissal.

Do it OP. I've worked in several nurseries and wouldn't send my kids to one due to knowing how awful some are.

Resign, do not go to the event, and report to your union. The childcare sector is crying out for good people and you won't have a problem finding a new job.

Listen to your partner. You're working for nasty dictators.

If you get paid for being sick, id just call in sick for the maximum time you're allowed to have off whilst you interview for and secure a new job. Then take all your holiday days youre due as your notice period.

Before leaving I'd make a full and Frank statement about your treatment to the owners and list all the reasons you are leaving. I would write these down in advance with dates if possible. The reason being - you dont want them to screw you over with final pay/holiday pay. Id make them VERY aware you know where all the skeletons are buried.

If you get paid holiday I wouldnt go yet. I get the benefit of the Christmas break. Call in sick tomorrow. Get the paid time off and then quit.

Exactly this!

Yep. This.

Don’t quit. You’ll win a tribunal and get a wee bit of money here.

Don’t go to the event, let it all run its course and let them fire you, which is unfair dismissal. Or let them create a hostile working environment, and document it in lots of email, then quit and it’s constructive dismissal. Then tribunal for you look for another role and enjoy the payout.

Try and fight them but, if you don’t have the energy, please email your concerns and any proof to whoever will listen because if they don’t care about staff and employment law then they won’t care about safeguarding either. I’m not a fan of ‘for profit’ nurseries as the age of children they cater for can’t really speak up for themselves and it just seems like a huge risk.

@icyblast I've voted YABU OP simply because you shouldn't resign. Call their bluff. Inform them you will not be attending the charity event tomorrow because (a) you are not contractually obliged to do so, and (b) you have other plans. Then wait for them to dismiss you (their grounds for doing so would be interesting!). Then submit an ET1 for Unfair Dismissal - the chances are they would pay you compensation to get you to go quietly and to avoid the tribunal.
Seriously OP, if you're so P'O'd you want to leave anyway, at least engineer it so you get a chunk of money for their blatant disregard for employment law. 😉

OP The charity stuff is a tax right off, don't even give them credit it for that. Do not volunteer your time and quit when you can. If they fire you for not volunteering surely you can take them to court for unfair dismissal?

Agree with this. All the staff should refuse to attend. They cant run a business without staff.
I wiuld be reporting them to the relevant authority as well