To refuse to work untill 10pm on xmas eve when above contracted hours because someone else who should doesn't want to

[b584]

I work 16 hours a week contracted, Monday and Friday 1,30 till 10pm, those are my hours, sometimes I'm put on the rota for extra if people are on holiday etc, never been a problem, sometimes I am called in when someone is off sick, If I can do it then I will, If I have plans then I won't.

For the last two years since I've worked there I have had to work my hours over xmas, last year was xmas eve and New years eve till closing which was 8pm, the year before was boxing day and New years day the same, Wasn't a problem, I just did it as it happened to fall on my days,

This year the company has decided to stay open on xmas eve and new years eve until 10pm, Last week my manager told me that we are all expected to work on xmas eve at some point so I told him that I am happy to come in on xmas eve but it has to be middle day shift, He agreed as it is outside of my contracted hours,

Went in Yesterday and was shown the rota for xmas week, I have been put down to work xmas eve from 6pm till 10pm, when I asked why I was told it was because the lady that usually works (is conracted) to work till 10pm on a Tuesday has kicked off because she will not get to see her 2 grandchildren who live in her house with their parents put to bed on xmas eve.

She is starting work 4 hours earlier so she can finish at 6 when I am supposed to start, I have told them I will not do it as I have arrangments myself for xmas eve but they are mightly pissed off with me.

Aibu?

[drivingmisslazy]

If its who I think it is, they surely can not put you in for a shift that is outside the details of your availability. for YANBU but if you have specified in your availability that you can do these hours (but normally don't) I do not think there is anything you can do.

[CoffeeTea103]

Yanbu, that lady's problem should not be yours. Tough for them they need to make other arrangements.

[Iamsparklyknickers]

Well to my mind £20 cab fare when doing hours on top of your own would put the nail firmly in the coffin along with you doing your bit in previous years.

If that's the line the managers sticking to I would be happy to escalate up to HR about having to work at all. I bet the 'everyone does a bit' isn't a company policy but the managers way of trying to be fair.

I wouldn't give a shit about the colleague having a tantrum, she's doing it not giving a monkeys about anyone else's plans - selfish mare.

[drivingmisslazy]

As its above your contracted hours then you have every right to refuse.

[rookietherednosedreindeer]

YANBU - different if you hadn't already had an agreement with your manager and made plans around that.

They are being cheeky to be annoyed, rather gormless of them to agree to let someone to swap so she could see her grandchildren going to bed - not really up there with great reasons why someone can't work a late shift.

It's also a bit sad that they have chosen to open until 10pm on Christmas Eve. Do they honestly think there is going to be a great rash of people descending at 9.45pm going OMG I haven't bought a turkey yet ! Great way of annoying your staff and probably not drumming up much in the way of extra business.

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

Why are you getting the attitude and not the woman whose shift it is? At the very very least if you did decide to do it, someone would be paying the cab fare, be it the company or preferably the woman who's farted you about.

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

*someone should be paying the cab fare

[LoosingBattle]

Co-Op? I used to be a manager with them and they are talking shite. With right 4 us system no one needs to work outside their available hours. Ever. Even for Xmas. glad I jumped ship

[b584]

I sometimes wonder if I am to commendating ( not sure if that's a real word) that they see me as a sure thing, Last year I fell over and broke my wrist, was told that on 16 hour contract I wasn't entitled to ssp so went back after 2 weeks and worked for 4 weeks with a cast on yet other lady who is kicking off about xmas broke her ankle in the summer and was paid for 3 months although on same 16 hour contract also and she stated a good 8 months after me,

My manager is always asking me when I am gonna be the next supervisor or when I will contract for more hours as I do givemy all at work ,sometimes much more than I should just feels like a kick in the teeth over this.

[ilovesooty]

I'm glad you say you're not doing it. She should work the hours she's contracted to work.

[Darkesteyes]

Yep Thats right Rumpelstitskin As someone hasnt got living proof that they have had sex without contraception of course its perfectly ok for the manager to do this

[RealAleandOpenFires]

Ask for triple pay for those hours & a couple of paid days off aswell.

[DejaVuAllOverAgain]

I think you mean accommodating, OP :)

Either way YADNBU

[rookietherednosedreindeer]

I'm sorry you are feeling upset about this OP.

It might be worth pulling your manager aside and telling her that you are upset about the vibes you are getting and that last year you worked Christmas eve and new years eve because they were your contracted shifts. This year - due to the conversation you had with her around your availability, you made arrangements for the evening, and you do not appreciate being made to feel guilty about this.

Won't make much of a difference, but hopefully will stop them letting this woman take the mick. Wanting to see gc go to sleep on Christmas Eve, honestly, it sounds more feeble the more I think about it.

[grumpyoldbat]

YANBU, if it was your normal shift I'd be telling you to suck it up so that's what this other woman should do. I don't think they can force you to work shifts outside your contracted hours just ask if you can do it.

[grumpyoldbat]

Meant to add rookie I can well imagine some people running in at 945. There are many highly disorganised people out there and they usually blame others for it too.

[specialsubject]

the kids go to bed every night. I've never heard such a bloody stupid reason for hours to be changed in my life. And the fuckwit management should have told her where to go.

[LaGuardia]

Let management cover the shift.

[Junebugjr]

I wouldn't back down otherwise you'll have to deal with this shit all the time.
Once this sort of management identify someone who'll put up and shut up they'll keep dumping.
Stick to your guns regardless of the grief.

[Mia4]

YADNU, you've done without question before, it's not even your contracted day OP. Colleague needs to suck it up and do her bit too, why should you have to work because she whines and strops?

[HerlockSholmes]

YANBU, i have worked till 10pm on christmas eve the past six years and boxing day as well. it's fair enough if everybody is taking a turn, but to me she should only have been allowed the earlier shift if someone else had agreed to do the late one for her- otherwise suck it up.

i don't think it's fair to favour someone because they want to see the children; people who are not parents and grandparents celebrate christmas too.

[Inkspellme]

YANBU. You've offered to come in on unscheduled hours and they've abused it.

I've got to say this attitude of if someone has kids they should get beneficial hours around christmas annoys me. Why is their christmas more important? I know this is this persons grandchildren but I am referring to a previous post and a general attitude that is I have frequently encountered.

I say this as someone who has children.

[FluffyJumper]

Basically they think you can be bullied into it and she can't, even though it's her contracted hours not yours. It's not your fault that they don't have the management capability to deal with difficult employes. Maybe her manager needs some assertiveness training.

[FluffyJumper]

I have a small child and I too find it really irritating that some people think that entitles them to preferential treatment around christmas.