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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that those working a four day week should also get 'summer office hours'?

81 replies

SteelMagnolia · 25/05/2011 20:58

For June/July/August, that's 13 weeks, employees at my company (800 employees, public company) get to leave at 3pm. Normal leaving hours for Fridays are 5pm, so that is 2 hours off. So, over the three months, that is a total of 26 hours off.

I don't work on Fridays. I work Mon-Thurs. My salary, bonus, public holidays, etc are all 4/5ths of what it was when I was full time. I assumed I would be entitled to some kind of summer concession, to equal 4/5ths of 26 hours, which is 20.8 hours. I sent an email to my HR rep today asking if they'd decided what to do about summer hours for those not working Fridays (there are several mums in the office on a reduced schedule.)

My HR team's response, via an official "summer hours Q&A" she attached to an email:
'Q: What happens if I don?t work on a Friday?
A: Lucky you! That?s just one of those things unfortunately; you won?t be able to carry over to another day."

However the Q&A says they ARE going to make concessions for people who are unable to leave early on Fridays because of their duties. So, they are making some adjustments.

AIBU to think this is not right? (And to be annoyed at the language they used, ie "Lucky you!" Anyone not working Fridays probably have kids and ARE working their butts off that day, at home!)

OP posts:
bringinghomethebacon · 25/05/2011 21:06

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bringinghomethebacon · 25/05/2011 21:07

This reply has been deleted

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Original poster
SteelMagnolia · 25/05/2011 21:11

Yes, my email inquiry was,
"Do you know if there is going to be any concession for those who don?t work Fridays once summer hours is in effect? I don?t work Fridays at all, and there are a few others in the business on a 3 or 4 day schedule as well."

The woman just sent back an email saying "this Q&A should answer all your questions!" The least she could have done was respond in her email with the policy they'd settled on.

Good idea about posting in employment. Will do that now.

OP posts:
HidinginaHardHat · 25/05/2011 21:14

I think you should count yourself lucky to be part time and have friday's off.

Wish my company did summer hours, sadly i always end up working longer hours in the summer

blushingm · 25/05/2011 21:16

you could say it's sexual discrimination............................most part time workers are women

Portofino · 25/05/2011 21:17

Do those who leave early have to work their hours first? I worked for many years for a US company, If you did your 37 hours, you could leave at 12 on a Friday...

PonceyMcPonce · 25/05/2011 21:17

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
SteelMagnolia · 25/05/2011 21:21

HardHat: I do count myself really lucky that I can work a four day week. (I'm from the US and I am SO glad to be living in the UK where this is more common.) BUT, I do give a lot of time and energy to the company and do more than my share in the time I work there. My Friday's are not holiday. As I say, everything is docked by the company, from bonus potential to public holidays. So, if they are docking me proportionally, seems they should also give me the little benefits in a proportional way.

Don't think anyone has to work a certain number of hours before "earning" this. FYI, the Q&A says that you are entitled to this benefit even if brand new to the company or if you have recently resigned and are working out your notice period.

OP posts:
Original poster
SteelMagnolia · 25/05/2011 21:22

Poncey: Hadn't considered switching my work days, actually! If I could make that work with childcare, that could be a good solution.

OP posts:
GwendolineMaryLacey · 25/05/2011 21:22

What kind of answer is that HidinginaHardHat? Why should she count herself lucky? I work three days. Am I even luckier? No wait, damn, I only get laid for three days.

If you have to pro rata bank hols then you should get pro rata of this too.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 25/05/2011 21:23

paid not laid ffs Blush. I wish!

southeastastra · 25/05/2011 21:24
BranchingOut · 25/05/2011 21:24

I only get laid for three days.

:) that you get laid three days a week!

yankiedoodledandy · 25/05/2011 21:24

Hiding - 'I think you should count yourself lucky to be part-time and have Fridays off'???!! WTF?! She doesn't get paid for Fridays you know?! I hate that sort of attitude to part time work, like your getting some sort of special treatment from the company. As others have pointed out it seems everyone else is getting 2hrs free pay a week and she is not. That is definitely discrimination. My company offer summer hours from 12 on a Friday but you have to have completed your full weekly contractual hours to take advantage of it.

edam · 25/05/2011 21:26

Great typo there, Gwen. Don't join the rush to get a super-injunction... Grin

But VERY fair point. OP should get the same adjustment to hours as everyone else, pro-rata.

(And where is this happy place where you get to leave early because it's Summer? Have never heard of this practice before and I want a go!)

honeybee007 · 25/05/2011 21:29

Laid for three days made me chuckle

It does seem unfair so yanbu.

squeaver · 25/05/2011 21:29

Is there anyway you can switch to having Mondays off instead?

Original poster
SteelMagnolia · 25/05/2011 21:30

Can't say the company as there are not too many part-timers there and I could out myself! :) Summer hours a fab idea, I agree. I actually had this at another company as well and everyone works REALLY hard on a Friday to make sure they have everything wrapped up in time to go early. The same amount of work ends up getting done somehow!

OP posts:
GwendolineMaryLacey · 25/05/2011 21:31

Damn and I was trying to make such a serious point :o

Original poster
SteelMagnolia · 25/05/2011 21:33

I could poss rearrange my childcare to be different days through the summer. That hadn't occurred to me and it's a good suggestion. In all honesty I care more about it seeming unfair and their tone being so flippant than the actual time off. "Lucky you" and all that... harumph.

OP posts:
UrsulaBuffay · 25/05/2011 21:34

It's not 'lucky' to work part time, that right gets my goat.

AuraofDora · 25/05/2011 21:34

I can see your point but it could be construed that your full time colleagues have to be available and arrange their schedule around the part time folks and this could be a benefit for those who have a full time commitment to the company..

I would think if you work the hours that suit you then you have to look at this as an advantage and not bemoan benefits made to others who work in the company

I could be biased as I work in a place where we constantly have to work around people who are part time, they still get annual flat rate bonus (not pro rata) andthey have a tendency to constantly change their days to suit their schedule..

I thnk you have to suck this up really..it's not fair I guess but if i was in your shoes I wouldnt expect it

wellwisher · 25/05/2011 21:34

Don't be so grasping. If everyone in the office shared a cake on Friday afternoon, would you demand a piece of it when you got in on Monday? No wonder companies don't want to hire women of childbearing age.

TattyDevine · 25/05/2011 21:35

If you change to work Tuesday to Friday you'd want to be careful about how bank holidays work - they are "worth more" in terms of hours off...

I do feel a bit outraged on your behalf but know sod all about employment law unfortunately...

UrsulaBuffay · 25/05/2011 21:36

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