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Original poster

Curious - how have people got time off to queue..

39 replies

Attictroll · 15/09/2022 14:40

As much curiosity as anything...sure many are retired but I couldn't imagine asking my boss for leave/ short notice holiday to go and queue to see the queens coffin. Or how I could cover childcare.... more wondering as it's all I think we I see the queue

OP posts:
Swannning · 15/09/2022 14:42

I was thinking this earlier when I heard that it was taking roughly 12 hours to get to the front.

If I asked my boss for time off they would laugh in my face I reckon.

ReeseWitherfork · 15/09/2022 14:43

Between retirement, part time working, shift working, not working…. There’s probably a lot of people who can get around work before you even factor in annual leave.

I’m a mum to young kids, I can’t imagine in a million years having this sort of time available. I envy those who do tbh! (But I wouldn’t spend it on this if I did.)

Original poster
Attictroll · 15/09/2022 14:45

Totally even with shift work hard for that many hours surely! Agree as a working mum of primary age even if I could find the time wouldn't do this.
Students may be there I suppose.

OP posts:
blobby10 · 15/09/2022 14:52

Its very interesting watching all the different people - there are people with lanyards who are clearly going to or from work, people in black suits and ties, older people dressed casually, retired military people in uniform, people dressed in 'tourist' clothes (!) , one lady dressed in black dress, coat, hat. Even saw a vicar just now. There are people bowing, curtseying, a combination of both, lots making the sign of the cross on their chests, clasping their hands in prayer, one lady knelt down. One guy kept his arms folded then bowed!

I'm in awe of them for wanting to and being able to pay their respects in so many different ways - I wouldn't want to but wouldn't rubbish anyone who did.

latetothefisting · 15/09/2022 14:54

It depends on the job - my most recent jobs have been in civil service/local govt and they were all absolutely fine with last minute days off work, you wouldn't have to give a reason.

The only issue would be if you had things like meetings you should attend, but to be honest nearly all meetings are remote so you could easily join them in the queue (headphones in for privacy) and nobody would know!

If you didn't have anything particular planned there would be no issue in taking the day off - basically the ethos is you have your own workload and timescales but can manage them how you like - so you could take annual leave or just work longer hours the rest of the week/work on Sunday etc.

AMessageToYouRuby · 15/09/2022 14:59

I can decide to take leave on the day without issue in my job now, in fact in most jobs I've had. Even in shift work I could if I found someone to swap with. I've previously been self-employed/freelance and wasn't office based so again could have taken time to do this. Lots of people work part time too.

I'm more surprised that one would wonder how people can go than at the fact people actually go.

DialsMavis · 15/09/2022 15:01

Im not going to queue but I can take last minute time off if I don't have an imminent deadline. My boss is brilliant and it is my annual leave to use as I wish

girlmom21 · 15/09/2022 15:01

Lots of people can probably be quite flexible with work too.

CheeseCakeSunflowers · 15/09/2022 15:03

I am also finding dipping into the livestream interesting. There is such a diverse spread of people each having their own moment which I imagine they will always remember. I am in my 60's and I had thought generations younger than mine might not be so keen but every age appears to be represented.

Fupoffyagrasshole · 15/09/2022 15:03

I booked the morning off tomorrow to get my hair colour done at the hairdresser 🤣 I only booked it off today last minute wasn’t a problem

im sure loads of jobs are easy going about days off

it is your annual leave after all and that’s what it’s for

(reason I’m using annual leave for this is cus it’s impossible to find 3 spare hours when I have my daughter 😂)

JonahAndTheSnail · 15/09/2022 15:04

I've wondered the same - can't imagine any of my previous jobs would have allowed it, or paid bank holiday off to watch the funeral. Even when I worked for banks, they expected you in on bank holidays and over Christmas for the same hourly rate as normal!

abovedecknotbelow · 15/09/2022 15:04

Annual leave, flexible working, take kids out of school...depends on your role
/ job. Tbh most of them look retired

Fuwari · 15/09/2022 15:05

I work part time and choose my own hours so I could go if I wanted. I don't have a partner and my DC are all grown up so I can please myself. I'm only not going because no way could I queue that long! Plus zig zag queues make me claustrophobic and panicky, so I'd fall apart once reaching that bit, if not before!

BlackberrySky · 15/09/2022 15:10

I work remotely and could work in the queue as long as it wasn't chucking it down. DH WFH so someone there for when my teenagers get home.

Fupoffyagrasshole · 15/09/2022 15:12

You’ve worked in awful companies by the sounds of it @JonahAndTheSnail

iwantasandwich · 15/09/2022 15:13

My workplace has extended compassionate leave (paid) to those impacted by the queens death more than they expected to be, so some have taken a day off to line up to see the coffin

Rutland2022 · 15/09/2022 15:17

If it wasn’t DD’s 3rd birthday and we didn’t have lots of plans, I’d have gone. I can take time off easily, my workplace is very laidback. As is DH’s. But I suppose it depends on your sector and seniority. I don’t really need permission for annual leave, I’m trusted to accommodate it. Obviously it needs signing off but it’s never refused.

tulips27 · 15/09/2022 15:25

I find it interesting watching how different people move and carry themselves. Some people look so poised and elegant as they bow, curtsy or clasp their hands in a praying motion etc. (there's been various different actions carried out as someone else noted).

EspeciallyDivided · 15/09/2022 15:28

I can take annual leave for any reason and at zero notice 99% of the time and don't have childcare to worry about so I could do it.

satelliteheart · 15/09/2022 15:33

I don't really understand your confusion op. You shouldn't have to justify your a/l or give any reason for it. I'm a sahm now but all my previous jobs I could book a/l at short notice for any reason. Dh has also always had the same setup. I'd have thought that was more normal than people having to give lots of notice for a/l

ManagementPlan · 15/09/2022 15:38

In this job I couldn't possibly get the time off, but in others, provided there weren't lots of others off, I could take leave easily at short notice. Everyone's circumstances are different.

Lots of people seem to be taking children with them, or at least there were quite a few children interviewed on the news last night about why it was so important to them, so they won't need childcare.

AnyFucker · 15/09/2022 15:41

My workplace has extended compassionate leave (paid) to those impacted by the queens death more than they expected to be

what the actual fuck

iwantasandwich · 15/09/2022 15:42

AnyFucker · 15/09/2022 15:41

My workplace has extended compassionate leave (paid) to those impacted by the queens death more than they expected to be

what the actual fuck

Why do you mean?

There are many companies out there who aren't dicks go their employees

Caterina99 · 15/09/2022 15:43

I work part time and as long as I didn’t have a specific meeting I could take a day off if I wanted to. I live nowhere near London and have absolutely no desire to attend though.

DH is self employed so again he can work when he wants (although he wouldn’t get paid)

One of us would have to be available for childcare, although we do have my parents nearby as back up so are very lucky!

mumto2teenagers · 15/09/2022 15:47

I work for a large company based in London and we received an email saying that employees could take time off if we wanted to go, just need to agree a suitable time with your line manager. After the email, we had a team meeting and the Director of our department confirmed he was happy for people to take time if they wanted, just to try and co-ordinate between ourselves so we didn't all go at the same time.

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