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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think this is not fair with work.

37 replies

vintagecrap · 22/12/2014 06:27

I'm not sure if I'm being bias towards myself and need to get a grip.

There is a rule that anyone who works xmas eve is expected to stay till 6 pm. It's done so it is ' fair on everyone'

However, I work party time, I usually finish at 4 pm. So, it's asking me to do 2 hours overtime, unpaid. We gave staggered starts, those that start at 10 it's their normal leaving time, those that start at 11 am are going home 3 hours earlier. Those that work 6-9 get an extra day off.

I can't work later than 4 pm. Lone parent and my child care shuts at 12. I have begged and got cover to my usual working time.

Work have reluctantly agreed to let me go at 4 pm.

Firstly I'm not sure how fair that is as a rule.

Secondly they are disappointed that I'm not going in on the first day back, which is my day off as I should be making up for the fact I'm leaving ' early' on Xmas eve.

None else is going in on their day off. I did ask as was told that other people were going away as they were off. I did say it was my day off too but they are insistent I should because of leaving early. These others that aren't going in either have xmas eve off too.......

OP posts:
marriednotdead · 22/12/2014 06:44

I don't see how that is fair at all, especially as its unpaid! I can see that by refusing, it will make it awkward for them when others ask how come you're 'going early' but I can't see what else you can do.

I would also point out that it's your day off, therefore you don't have childcare booked/available, nor do you expect to be penalized for refusing unpaid overtime.

Don't suppose you have a union...?

GlitzAndGigglesx · 22/12/2014 06:50

If I understand correctly you're going in Xmas eve to work your contracted shift? Is this silly rule in your contract? My work were begging for overtime and for childcare reasons I could only do minimal overtime which they then cancelled the day before. Idiots!

Original poster
vintagecrap · 22/12/2014 06:55

I'm going in and doing my usual shift.

I did say that I'm part time for a reason. .. and that it's no different for the full timers.... That it's asking me to do overtime. And a 9 hour day.

But the rule has been in place for the last 2 years. First year it was ok as It was my day off. Last year I had the same issue. Next year I will gave the same issue but worse as I finish at 3pm on Thursdays

OP posts:
insancerre · 22/12/2014 06:56

You are effectively being penalised for working part time which is not on.
I've done the rotas for Xmas eve and I've got everyone in at the same time and hopefully we will be closing early(its a nursery) so we will all be going home at the same time. Except one person wh o works part time and will be going home when her shift finishes
As a manager i am aware of everyone's circumstances and make allowances and hope that the team appreciate this.

youarekiddingme · 22/12/2014 07:01

Tell them to get one of the employees who are getting paid for 3 hours work they don't have to do to cover the 2 hours unpaid work they expect you to do.
I agree about union too. This is grossly unfair - I believe many employers rely on the goodwill of employees - but there's goodwill and taking the piss!
And it doesn't matter what your plans are on your day off - it's your day off full stop.

I suggest a how to be a good manager manual for Christmas Wink

Original poster
vintagecrap · 22/12/2014 07:02

Well that's how I feel, penalised.

I'm one of the few people who are not on a ' flex up' contract. So.... I don't have to up my hours. I'm on a core hours which is 11-3.
Because I have never said I can work late.

I did even take in my childcare letter saying they were shutting at 12. So they knew it was genuine.

It just really irks me. I can understand it will the full timers but I'm not a full timer. I'm a part timer...and am one for a reason.

OP posts:
Original poster
vintagecrap · 22/12/2014 07:06

The manager isn't even going in on his day off . The way it has fallen he will get 5 days off in a row. So 8 don't know why he expected me to go in....and this was only mentioned to be today as well. Less than a week before.

OP posts:
Hedgehogsbuzz1 · 22/12/2014 07:06

Work are bring unfair on you. It's not your working day and you are staying late. Their system works in the interest for some of their staff but penalises the likes of you

louisejxxx · 22/12/2014 07:09

So basically they are expecting you to work longer for free to make up for the ones who start later and get a few hours off?

I would point out that the situation will only ever be a lose lose for those doing earlier shifts and a win win for those doing later ones...surely that isn't fair?? If this was me there is no way I'd be willing to do more hours to enable someone else to leave early!

DraggingDownDownDown · 22/12/2014 07:11

Write it all down including the conversation with your managers so you don't forget anything. Also is there a hard copy of the shifts and what they want everyone to do? If so get a copy of that too.

Hedgehogsbuzz1 · 22/12/2014 07:11

Finish at 3

I think your manager needs to patch up the hours with the people that are benefiting the most from this rule this year. Or himself.

Original poster
vintagecrap · 22/12/2014 07:14

They say it will be fair on everyone. .. because people work on a rota. Well... They do if they are full time. Not if they are party time.

My hours finish at 3pm or 4 pm so I am going to have this issue every year.

If I didnt need to leave, then I would work it. But i do.

It's a large company and this rule is company wide so I have no chance of changing it.

OP posts:
Christmashamster · 22/12/2014 07:15

It's massively wrong to expect you to stay beyond your contracted part time hours. If your company needs more staff, they should have planned for this eventuality. I am a part timer also. This is the first year we will open for the week between Christmas and New Year and we all have to work as normal. I was indignant to find that full time staff will be paid 1.5 times for working these days, but that part timers will be paid our regular wage. I've questioned this with HR, and been told its legal.

Original poster
vintagecrap · 22/12/2014 07:15

Part time.

Party time would be a lot more fun. Stupid phone.

OP posts:
redskybynight · 22/12/2014 07:44

I agree with you and I think it's a problem that companies don't think through the consequences to part time workers.

I also have an issue with my company - I would normally work 8.00-3pm on Christmas Eve with half an hour for lunch (so 6.5 hours). Full time workers work 9.00-5.30 with an hour for lunch (so 7.5 hours). Work (meant as a nice thing!) have said that on Christmas Eve everyone can go home at 3pm. It then goes on to say that part time workers may not leave before 3pm. So I not only don't get the benefit of the early finish but actually have to work longer hours than full time workers!!

When I raised with with my manager he agreed that the company were not thinking of people who did non-standard hours, but he still can't let me go before 3pm. as a "compromise" I am allowed to work "full time" hours on Christmas Eve i.e. 9-3 with an hour for lunch!!

roses2 · 22/12/2014 07:51

I would send an email to head office. They probably don't even realise how unfair this is. Many people complain in isolation but rarely complain to those who have power to change the situation.

Original poster
vintagecrap · 22/12/2014 07:52

That's a bit unfair too. But the compromise is at least something.

I think you are probably right and they just don't think of those that work part time.

Last year I left ' early' at the end of my shift and bumped into two other people who were also leaving ' early' I know there are a few others who work the same shift as me that day so it will be interesting to see what they do.

One who does has had her ours slid, so she starts later...which is fairer as it's the same amount of hours she is doing instead of doing 2 hours overtime. .

OP posts:
Original poster
vintagecrap · 22/12/2014 07:53

I might write a letter in in the new year.

OP posts:
grumpyoldgitagain · 22/12/2014 08:01

A letter or email to head office in the new year would be a good idea, sounds like an ill thought out but well meant idea that just ignored the circumstances of part time workers

manchestermummy · 22/12/2014 08:28

It does seem unfair.

My colleagues are being rather unkind to me because I am not attending a training course on a non working day. The managers are fine with this but my colleagues think I can magic up a space in a nursery with a two-year waiting list (cannot swap days either) and can afford said space on top of my already massive childcare bill. I won't be paid to attend.

Where I work people think that part-timers sit on their backsides all day watching Homes under the Hammer and are willing to avail themselves for work whenever needed. Because they have all that time, see Xmas Hmm

PandaNot · 22/12/2014 08:44

Christmashamster I'm pretty sure it's not legal to treat part time staff less favourably than full time equivalents. Can you check this with someone not in your hr dept?

mushypeasontoast · 22/12/2014 09:10

1-join a union.

2- Depending on your hourly pay, them insisting on 2hours unpaid may bring you below minimum wage for that week. This is in breach of employment law.

3- is it written in your contract or company policies that you have to stay? No! not surprised

4- your manager is an idiot with no idea. Tell them politely to show you this rule in your policies and you will apologise for not realising. If they cannot show you then you expect a written apology. Do this in writing so you have evidence.

5- If you feel that you are being treated differently because of this then read your company policy re bullying and harrassment and raise a grievance.

Hth

carrielou2007 · 22/12/2014 09:46

I have to say I would be smiling and repeating 'I'm contracted until 3pm' every time it's mentioned and would leave at 3pm.

My work also think I do nothing on my non-work days. They often ask me to work extra (the day before) to cover planned holidays so could easily ask well in advance in other clinics 30-50 miles away as I 'don't do anything' on Thursday and Fridays with 3 young children and housebound elderly parents...

Original poster
vintagecrap · 22/12/2014 09:50

Ive just checked with someone who works for the same company but a good 500 miles away. Same deal there, always has been.

So, i have little chance of changing anything.

OP posts:
manchestermummy · 22/12/2014 09:57

carrielou why do people do that? One colleague also informed me that I was "contractually obliged" to check emails on non working days. Quite how someone junior to me could have such detailed knowledge of my contract was a bit of a mystery. The same person informed everyone that I wasn't attending the training course as I was "claiming" parental responsibilities on that day. I wasn't "claiming" anything: I have responsibilities.

OP I think you are being treated most unfairly. Aside from anything else it really isn't fair that those who time shift to accommodate a later finish get time off!! Is this retail? I worked somewhere that has huge sales just after Christmas and every Christmas Eve they changed their mind every five minutes about what time we were finishing.