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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to work a 24-hour day because "it's fun"?

284 replies

KentishMama · 27/01/2019 00:07

Probably a bit outing, so will keep it brief.

I work for a super cool trendy startup in a pretty senior role. My boss decided that the entire team should do a Hackathon style event where we try to solve a couple of big business problems in teams... Overnight. The "event" starts at 4 pm (after we've already been at work since 8:30) and ends at 10 am the next morning. After that, we can "have the rest of the day off."

But what about sleep? "Oh, there'll be coffee. And if anyone needs a power nap there are a couple of sofas."

I really don't want to do this - I'm usually asleep by 9:30 and don't cope with late nights, and won't see DC for 36 hours if I do this... But I know that I'll be told I'm setting a poor example for my team and that this is meant as a team bonding kind of thing.

AIBU?

OP posts:
MediocreMediocrity · 27/01/2019 00:08

YANBU

You need sleep. Not want, NEED.

pigsDOfly · 27/01/2019 00:08

Sounds bloody awful.

When did sleep deprivation become something fun to do.

Porpoises · 27/01/2019 00:09

YANBU. "Fun" shit like this should be optional.

cucumbergin · 27/01/2019 00:11

YANBU. It's a dickish thing to request, and tbh, having the next day off does not make up for missing the whole night of sleep.

Also, if he thinks he'll get useful work out of anyone he's utterly fucking incompetent.

Bambamber · 27/01/2019 00:11

Problem solving with sleep deprivation sounds like a silly idea

Singlenotsingle · 27/01/2019 00:11

Tired exhausted brains aren't going to solve any problems.

SweatyUnderboob · 27/01/2019 00:12

They should at least let you come in later if you’re staying overnight, and give you time off in lieu.

tubspreciousthings · 27/01/2019 00:12

Stupid idea. I'd refuse. Or turn up with a sleeping bag and bed down on the sofa for the night.

Original poster
KentishMama · 27/01/2019 00:13

It is presented as "optional, but trust us, it'll be great" - but I know that as a manager I'm supposed to toe the line and get my team involved etc.

OP posts:
Onandonandons · 27/01/2019 00:13

This sounds crazy.

lottiegarbanzo · 27/01/2019 00:13

Nuts. Why not do it the next day in work hours?

Original poster
KentishMama · 27/01/2019 00:15

Sweatyunderboob (great name!) - the fact that we can go home mid-morning the next day is considered enough time off in lieu.

OP posts:
ErrolTheDragon · 27/01/2019 00:15

YANBU.

  1. because it's a foolish idea - the idea that you're more likely to solve big problems when you're either tired or wired sounds like an immature student-like notion.

  2. companies which don't respect their employees right to decent work-life balance are liable to crash and burn.

Having never worked for anyone so idiotic (in a somewhat cool sector which began as startups but which have survived and matured over 3 decades) I've no idea how you convey this to your boss.

Ollivander84 · 27/01/2019 00:20

Christ. Has nobody said what a fucking stupid idea? ConfusedGrin

Horsemenoftheaclopalypse · 27/01/2019 00:20

Sounds shit...

But honestly I’d suck it up and do it.

Go to bed about 11 the night before - get up later (assuming your hipster office is anything like mine no one will care if you come in at 10.30am)
I would 100% bring ear plugs and get a 2x 2hours then leave as soon as it’s done and sleep. Leave the moment it is done - nap and picks the kids

Original poster
KentishMama · 27/01/2019 00:20

Yeah, I'm kind of stuck on how to refuse gracefully too... Thinking about inventing a childcare or child health crisis? Probably won't help my career either...

OP posts:
nocoolnamesleft · 27/01/2019 00:20

Wow. Wish I could go home at 10am if I've been up at work all day/night. Oh, hang on, the difference is that people actually get sick at night. Those business problems will still be there in the morning. So really not worth inflicting sleep deprivation over.

Here, quote this at them...

www.news-medical.net/news/20190124/Sleep-deprivation-linked-with-DNA-damage.aspx

Di11y · 27/01/2019 00:21

I really don't see why they don't just do it in business hours, finishing at 10pm latest if they really see the need? if they're sending you home for the afternoon anyway??

Sindragosan · 27/01/2019 00:22

Has he heard of a little thing called the working time directive?

Besides that, it's a stupid idea. I've done the odd night and if you're not used to it, you end up not being able to concentrate beyond a certain point (different for everyone) and it's also not safe driving after such a long shift. Someone in a different company had an accident after a stupidly long shift and the HSE went bananas.

cucumbergin · 27/01/2019 00:22

So... 4pm-10am, 18 hours = going hime 6 hours early?

I hope this isn't a fintech startup with that grasp of numbers!

lottiegarbanzo · 27/01/2019 00:23

Can't you just say 'we're not all night owls' and let him know you'll be useless after 10pm, or his idea of fun is yours of hell, or something?

Loulzze · 27/01/2019 00:24

What does he think people with children and no help are supposed to do? Weird..

lottiegarbanzo · 27/01/2019 00:26

and (though I am a night owl), doing that would have an impact on my mental processing, mood and productivity for a couple of days afterwards, at least.

Guessing it's planned for a Thursday night?

DareDevil223 · 27/01/2019 00:26

That's insane, I hope no one is driving home afterwards or the inevitable RTAs will be on his head. What a horrible situation for you to be in.

Absolute hipster wank with no practical value at all.

lottiegarbanzo · 27/01/2019 00:27

Are there many other people with dcs?

Could you say your DH might be away?