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Original poster

Work conference call at 11pm

44 replies

agna8277 · 25/01/2023 15:26

Just venting really, a work call has been scheduled for 11pm to accommodate different time zones because a senior colleague is travelling and that's the only time she is free.

It's an important meeting that has to be on that day. I raised this to my manager who is empathetic but nothing he can do.

OP posts:
Somewhereoverthepacific · 25/01/2023 15:29

Is it a one off? If it has to be that day, and that person has to attend, what is your alternative solution? Do you have to attend?

I don't do 11pm work calls as a rule but in this situation I'd suck it up (assuming I was essential for the call). These things happen sometimes.

If you're not essential/could be replaced with someone else then yes absolutely bring that up with your manager.

Quartz2208 · 25/01/2023 15:31

Is she travelling for work and that is when she arrives somewhere

will you get time off in lieu

whizzpopping · 25/01/2023 15:31

Just decline the meeting and explain you won't be able to join at that late hour, and ask the meeting organiser to record the meeting if possible and circulate a link to the recording afterwards for the benefit of those that cannot attend.

Let me guess: the invitees include US and Oz? Always a nightmare for the UK

AutumnCrow · 25/01/2023 15:32

If you have a manager, and one who apparently can't do anything, then that tells me you're not senior enough to be required to deal with this shit.

An 11pm conference call in any organisation that I've been part of would be handled by the 'big bosses' if they felt it important enough. Otherwise it would be rescheduled or dealt with by email.

EspeciallyDetermined · 25/01/2023 15:33

Depending on the importance I'd just do it as a one-off, hopefully with some TOIL.

GCAcademic · 25/01/2023 15:33

If it's not possible to decline the meeting, then bear in mind that you shouldn't be working within 11 hours of finishing that call (one of those pesky EU directives that we'll no doubt be exercising our sovereignty to ditch shortly).

Deathbyfluffy · 25/01/2023 15:34

It depends on your role - if you're senior management this kind of the thing is expected.
If you're not then I'd just decline and say it's not what I normally do, and you'll accept minutes of the meeting via email.

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 25/01/2023 15:34

I have these every so often it's really difficult to accommodate a call that requires people from lots of different time zones. As long as its occasional rather than regular I just do it and take the time back the next morning or whenever I can.

gogohmm · 25/01/2023 15:34

Dp has 3am meetings sometimes, it's the reality of a global business but he's a director so expected

Original poster
agna8277 · 25/01/2023 15:34

whizzpopping · 25/01/2023 15:31

Just decline the meeting and explain you won't be able to join at that late hour, and ask the meeting organiser to record the meeting if possible and circulate a link to the recording afterwards for the benefit of those that cannot attend.

Let me guess: the invitees include US and Oz? Always a nightmare for the UK

Can't decline as I am needed apparently.

Not a one off either, in the past 2 months, I have had meetings at 10pm which I accepted but 11pm crossed the line for me.

Think I need a new job...

OP posts:
Original poster
agna8277 · 25/01/2023 15:36

gogohmm · 25/01/2023 15:34

Dp has 3am meetings sometimes, it's the reality of a global business but he's a director so expected

3am?! Goodness, I probably should not complain then Blush

OP posts:
IMissThe80s · 25/01/2023 15:36

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IMissThe80s · 25/01/2023 15:38

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whizzpopping · 25/01/2023 15:41

Yes this is the problem with being too accommodating/not setting boundaries and managing expectations around your availability. You gradually lose control...

Maybe this is a good opportunity to have a general discussion with your boss about this to re-set expectations.

YellowAndGreenToBeSeen · 25/01/2023 15:41

I’ve often had 3/4am starts due to time zones. It’s a killer if you’re working for a global company!

AutumnCrow · 25/01/2023 15:43

As I said, it depends on how senior you are, @agna8277

Original poster
agna8277 · 25/01/2023 15:44

YellowAndGreenToBeSeen · 25/01/2023 15:41

I’ve often had 3/4am starts due to time zones. It’s a killer if you’re working for a global company!

Wow I can't imagine. Are you allowed to finish your day earlier?

OP posts:
TokyoSushi · 25/01/2023 15:48

It sounds like your job must be pretty senior/important in which case it's likely just something you have to get on with.

If they're just making you attend to take the minutes or whatever then that's a different story!

IMissThe80s · 25/01/2023 15:51

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

YellowAndGreenToBeSeen · 25/01/2023 15:58

agna8277 · 25/01/2023 15:44

Wow I can't imagine. Are you allowed to finish your day earlier?

Show quote history

Theoretically, yes but it’s not always possible as I may well be repeating the call later in the day to cover other time zones!

But I pretty much run my own diary and I’m able to say ‘I’m taking Friday afternoon off as TOIL’ and other deadlines allowing, no-one would bat an eye.

Quveas · 25/01/2023 16:01

GCAcademic · 25/01/2023 15:33

If it's not possible to decline the meeting, then bear in mind that you shouldn't be working within 11 hours of finishing that call (one of those pesky EU directives that we'll no doubt be exercising our sovereignty to ditch shortly).

That pesky EU directive probably doesn't apply anyway. There are exceptions, and some occasional flexibilities around compensatory rest are built into the law. In global workplaces this is not an unusual requirement, and I'm afraid that if global requirements from time to time don't suit someone, the answer is to find another job.

Heli1copter · 25/01/2023 16:04

If you work with Australia/NZ then it's either super early or super late. What can you do? When I'm asked to work late/early I balance my hours later that week or take a longer lunch break if I can. Its just a normal part of working for a global company, I think most people would moan a bit but do it anyway.

I had a job interview at midnight once because the person interviewing me was in Pacific Time zone and was only free at 4pm their time to speak to me.

ManyNameChanges · 25/01/2023 16:11

Do you get time off the next day/week for those very late meetings?

Dh has those. And some regular one around 8.00pm. He uses flexi time to take some time iff at other time to compensate.

NB we don’t have young children anymore so can afford some flexibility now we didn’t have.
i would also have struggle to do that regularly, simply on an energy pov. So that’s something to have a chat about with work. Can you start work later etc…

CMOTDibbler · 25/01/2023 16:12

My boundaries are I only do before 6am and after 9pm for critical path customer meetings or with regulators - but I have done 3am and 11pm when its necessary. Part of my job, and I don't get time back, but I do have implicit flexibility

underneaththeash · 25/01/2023 16:13

I did one at 11pm last year and fell asleep!

To be fair, I hadn't been with the company very long and only worked one day a week, but I had pre-warned them I was usually in bed by 10pm. Optometrists don't usually work so late, but they wanted the opinion of a new employee and I did wake up when I heard my name, but hadn't followed the majority of the conversation........