To think this is discrimination

[Hiptrip]

I work in a 365 days a year industry. My colleagues and I, have to provide cover over Christmas.

As I worked over Christmas and New Year last year, I booked and was promised this year off. I have this in writing.

Two colleagues have announced that they can't get childcare, and now management have come back to me and said I have to work. (Single, no kids was planning to have fun with friends and family. Shouldn't have mentioned it in my break at work.)

I have now received a written directive that my leave is cancelled, with the threat of disciplinary if I don't turn up.

No unions here, but what are my chances of claiming constructive dismissal if I don't go to work?

We are a team of twelve and those with families, who are rostered to work have a month to sort themselves out, as does everyone else. Why should it be me that has to come in the whole time, along with our unfortunate manager who has no choice because she is in charge?

That's rubbish. Throw a sicky? They can't punish you for being sick. Or if it's easy to get another job in your industry I'd hand in my notice in!

brasty its true that many will but I can think of times when i would have had noone or have to ship them 100s miles away for at least a week and that would have been pretty awful.
I work with families. There are loads I know without any sort of family support.
So I do think that should be kept in mind. Unfortunately people will take the piss. I wonder if the families in the OP really have no one to look after the kids at all?

Some older workers might have elderly relatives that they’re responsible for over xmas period. Children aren’t the only ones to consider.

People really can be awful sometimes. Don’t they even care about what their coworkers think of them? No shame.

Why is it relatives jobs to look after their family members kids?

Why is it my job to work over and above at Christmas so that your relatives don't have to help out? Surely they should step up before I do?

MrsDV Yes sometimes it is true. Just not always.

Children’s needs come above adults.

And that's a fact, is it? just because you say so?

Why are people not allowed to make any assumptions about the lives of childless people/those with adult children yet those in the other camp are allowed to label people as entitled cunts and express disbelieve that for some single parents, childcare isn’t readily available?

The first Christmas after my Ex was eventually removed from the house, I was on my knees, physically, emotionally, financially and estranged from my family. Luckily I had friends and colleagues with compassion, who covered my shifts on the key days and who actually looked after the kids on occasions. I hope that some people’s aggression on this thread is a classic case of keyboard warrior, otherwise god knows what their working relationships are like.

OP - did you forget to mention the nephew and nieces you've committed to looking after on Christmas Day because their parents have to work?

I think as well that this is the issue with treating Christmas as only 25th Decmber and #magical and starting the build up around August. Children hear their mother wittering on daily about Santa coming on the 25th, and elves, and #making memories, and food for the 25th, and plans, and how it's all going to be so WONDERFUL. Then someone gets sick, or there's a domestic emergency like a roof coming through, or someone has to work and it's all #disaster and #christmasruined and sad faces all round.

People who work in essential industries (and in addition to the extensive list above I'd add people who work in air traffic control, or vehicle breakdown, or the people in banks who stop your cards if they're stolen) manage their children's expectations. They are sensible enough to know that they might have to work on the 25th so have the turkey and the crackers any day between the 20th and the 30th to suit. Their Christmas is every bit as "special" and "magical" as anyone else's. They are also raising their children to be realistic and resilient and to realise the world doesn't revolve around them.

Hope you get it sorted OP. If you're anywhere near Glasgow I'll go in to your work over CHristmas and pretend to be you!!

Quite simply, if you are aware you unable to have any childcare cover on Christmas Day, you need to not be in a job where Christmas Day is expected. You made the decision to have children. You made the decision to join a career with Christmas Day work expected. I should not be forced to work more because of choices YOU made. Seriously, how do you believe thats fair or logical?

Andrewfrogg - that's why I said it should be the other person's disciplinary not the OPs. I totally agree it's not the OPs responsibility. It is the other person's, but I was a bit surprised by all the magical christmas claptrap. It was just logistics to me. No childcare can't come in. Want to be with a friend - could come in. Whether you should or have to is up for debate.

You still have time to find another job and give notice before Christmas. I would do that!

I'll probably get shot down for this but...
I do think parents with either no ability or no intention of working their fair share of Christmases in a job that requires it - might want to consider looking for a different job?

OP - are the colleagues with children single parents ? if not then they have no childcare issues , they just do not want to work on Christmas day.
If they are single parents how do they manage when working weekends ? as you said it was a 365 day business.
i would stand your ground, you worked last christmas they didnt ...your turn this year.

What have I jsut read??

nasty post
Nasty post
nasty post

'Oh I', leaving now because you are reminding me of a miscarriage I had...'

WTFF?

Reminds me of a poster on AIBU who posted 'I did this, AIBU'
Totality of MN 'Yep'

OP 'oh but if like me you'd been forced into sex trade as a child you'd be more forgiving!'

I do normally stay away from AIBU - all reason seems to go out the window.

I'm sorry for your MC,pp, but I've had one too.

OP just wants to go on holiday.

I know. The fucking cheek of her, eh? When she could do without the damn holiday and get her lazy arse to work so that you can see your child at Christmas?

Just call in sick, OP. You can self certify for a few days and they can't prove you're not sick.

That's really shitty behaviour in the part of the company and I agree that people with children need to be realistic about the kinds of industries they can work in if their childcare options are limited. Will they also be disciplined for not coming in? This could well be the case and they could be just taking it on the chin - we don't know if the same message has been given to everyone? Apologies if this has been made clear previously in the thread.

I do absolutely think this should be taken higher, and with HR involvement if possible. Our HR take a very dim view of managers who discriminate against people without young children; as mentioned already it creates divisions within teams.

There are too many shit managers around who are scared of making unpopular decisions, leaving their reports to take the flak (which is exactly what will happen if this decision is overturned - op will end up being the child-hater who ruined Christmas).

On reflection, with management like that I'd be looking for another job - ideally, as suggested upthread, leaving just before Christmas.

My dad worked in a 365 day industry. They had a rule you either get Christmas or New Years Eve and Day off. It worked a treat, those with young kids generally took Christmas off and those without New Year. Perhaps you could suggest a split like that going forward.

I hope that some people’s aggression on this thread is a classic case of keyboard warrior, otherwise god knows what their working relationships are like.

Some parents do take the piss at this time of year. Whether people like to admit it or not.

It is that which spoils it for everyone else.

I know if a few people who did used to volunteer to do certain shifts when x said they needed to do y. Then it got taken for granted that they would and they started to get walked all over until they stood their ground.

I would agree that it is no harder for people with kids to work Christmas than those without. My DSis often works an xmas shift (4hours) for her single colleagues. DSIs is local, she pops out for a few hours and other family members can carry on with her DCs.

For her single colleague to cover the same xmas shift would mean that they would be stuck ( 100s of miles from their families) in hospital accommodation for the whole 4 days of the festive season.

pax But that's no use if everyone still wants Xmas Day!

Nope I'm not leaving a job I like, and pays well. However, I will be reporting one of those colleagues who has disturbed my lunch break to argue about this - she has just sworn and me and called me a selfish cow because she has to come to work if I don't.

Workplace bullying is also a disciplinary offence.

My dad worked in a 365 day industry. They had a rule you either get Christmas or New Years Eve and Day off. It worked a treat, those with young kids generally took Christmas off and those without New Year. Perhaps you could suggest a split like that going forward
That's not likely to work - everyone I know over the age of 21 hates new year and wouldn't consider it a fair swap for Christmas.