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Original poster

Job preventing me from participating in hobby - wwyd?

20 replies

Celia24 · 18/12/2022 22:27

I joined a theatre course a few months ago and have made a tight knit group of friends. Ive also reconnected with lots of people in the theatre community and it has done wonders for my mental health.

The issue is that I have to do one more 8 week course at this organisation to qualify and start performing seriously on a regular basis with the group. But the problem is it's going to be on the one mandatory day of the week that I need to be in the office in the next city over.

So if I can't do this course then I'll be the only person in the group that can't continue on and I'll be left out and unable to progress. I like my job but I don't love it and I work to live really, except I'll not be able to do the hobby anymore - do I have any options here?

OP posts:
CharlotteStreetW1 · 18/12/2022 22:28

A day's annual leave?

gwenneh · 18/12/2022 22:29

Short of using paid leave, a leave of absence, or just quitting, not really.

I understand; my own hobby has a lot of events which are necessary to qualify for other events held when I am at work, but I take paid leave to attend. There really isn't much other choice!

CharlotteStreetW1 · 18/12/2022 22:30

Sorry I misread - is it one day a week for eight weeks? What would you do if it wasn't an office day?

Original poster
Celia24 · 18/12/2022 22:32

CharlotteStreetW1 · 18/12/2022 22:30

Sorry I misread - is it one day a week for eight weeks? What would you do if it wasn't an office day?

It's one evening a week for 8 weeks. I'm allowed to miss 2 classes of the course as well.

I didn't think of annual leave. That would be quite a big commitment but it's an option.

If it wasn't an office day I could go no problem. Literally any other day of the week would suit.

OP posts:
purpledagger · 18/12/2022 22:34

could you ask you manager if you could leave early on your office days and make the ring up on your WFH days?

tickticksnooze · 18/12/2022 22:34

If you can't change the office day and have no flexitime options that would help, then take annual leave.

"Work to live" presumably mean you can't afford to just abruptly pack in your job for a hobby.

Original poster
Celia24 · 18/12/2022 22:35

purpledagger · 18/12/2022 22:34

could you ask you manager if you could leave early on your office days and make the ring up on your WFH days?

I probably could.

I worry I'm going to be absolutely knackered for the course though. I get up at 6 and return at 7 most of those office days.

Maybe I could do a mix of annual leave and leaving early...

OP posts:
MichaelFabricantWig · 18/12/2022 22:35

purpledagger · 18/12/2022 22:34

could you ask you manager if you could leave early on your office days and make the ring up on your WFH days?

This, or can you swap your office days? You won’t know unless you ask. Or annual leave as others have said

Doyoumind · 18/12/2022 22:35

Can you not just ask to start and finish early that day for 8 weeks so you can go?

MichaelFabricantWig · 18/12/2022 22:36

Celia24 · 18/12/2022 22:35

I probably could.

I worry I'm going to be absolutely knackered for the course though. I get up at 6 and return at 7 most of those office days.

Maybe I could do a mix of annual leave and leaving early...

Show quote history

Well you might be but it’s only 1 day a week for a few weeks really…I’m sure you would be ok

Original poster
Celia24 · 18/12/2022 22:39

I'm always shattered by the time I finish work on those days so tbh I don't think I would be ok for 8 weeks straight.

I have a decent boss thankfully who will probably want to meet in the middle. The main issue I have is the course tickets always sell out fast and he always takes weeks to sign off annual leave requests. I really hope I can work something out.

OP posts:
Original poster
Celia24 · 18/12/2022 22:43

tickticksnooze · 18/12/2022 22:34

If you can't change the office day and have no flexitime options that would help, then take annual leave.

"Work to live" presumably mean you can't afford to just abruptly pack in your job for a hobby.

No I'm not that rich 😊 other people do take flexitime, I've just never applied. The whole team are supportive of the hobby/always ask about it so maybe we can work something out...

OP posts:
SouthOfFrance · 18/12/2022 22:48

Could you speak to the theatre to see if they could change the day of the course?

Or ask if another local theatre runs the aame course on a different day & take it there instead?

Or speak to your boss and see if they can come up with any ideas/flexibility?

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 18/12/2022 22:56

Half days leave? Give you time to get home, have an hour's nap and get to the evening session.

Luredbyapomegranate · 18/12/2022 23:08

Celia24 · 18/12/2022 22:39

I'm always shattered by the time I finish work on those days so tbh I don't think I would be ok for 8 weeks straight.

I have a decent boss thankfully who will probably want to meet in the middle. The main issue I have is the course tickets always sell out fast and he always takes weeks to sign off annual leave requests. I really hope I can work something out.

If you really want to do it, you'll manage one evening a week.

I'd sign up for the course, book annual leave for the first couple weeks so you have time to sort the rest out.

titchy · 18/12/2022 23:12

So worse case scenario is that you'll be knackered one day a week for 8 weeks, 6 if you take the two weeks off that you're allowed.

Honestly - suck it up. If the theatre group means that much to you surely you'd be walking over hot coals to do the course. Confused

PotatoScone1 · 18/12/2022 23:15

…how did you not think of annual leave?!

KenAdams · 18/12/2022 23:18

PotatoScone1 · 18/12/2022 23:15

…how did you not think of annual leave?!

This. It's not difficult.

Original poster
Celia24 · 18/12/2022 23:20

Luredbyapomegranate · 18/12/2022 23:08

If you really want to do it, you'll manage one evening a week.

I'd sign up for the course, book annual leave for the first couple weeks so you have time to sort the rest out.

Show quote history

Yeah maybe I should just book and sort the rest out later. Could be an issue if the boss decides to be inflexible but here's hoping that won't happen.

Being knackered will be an issue for me if it were every week. I don't perform well during those times and as I'm part of a group not bringing my best self affects the others too.

I think I could probably also stay overnight in the other city some nights before so that I won't be knackered by the time I reach the class.

OP posts:
Original poster
Celia24 · 18/12/2022 23:22

I have endometriosis and am a bit unwell at the moment. Endo sufferers like myself sometimes get brain fog as I do from time to time.

So I appreciate the suggestions, thank you. I've got some options to think through. The 'it's not difficult' comments are unkind for no reason.

OP posts:
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