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

[KentishMama]

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?

In the good old days of unions, there would have been overtime payments of say time + 1/3 ( time + 1/2 on Saturday and double time on Sunday) up until midnight when "golden time" would have kicked-in.

I bet this boss dosen't intend paying any overtime. "Payment" will be in form of some pizza, a few bottles of trendy lager and a few slices of avocado toast, all first come first served naturally.

Surely 'team bonding' only works if all participants are operating at a more or less similar comfort level? This event sounds like it will be polarised with those who may find it 'fun' and those for whom, for a variety of reasons, it's uncomfortable and stressful.

Errol, hah, my experience of "team bonding" in big corporations often included "mandatory fun" that was not considered fun/accessible for many.

Hmm, I think I might actually do this if it technically meant a 3 day weekend! Definitely wouldn't if I was expected to come into work the day after the day 'off in lieu'

So what has happened with this?
Boss does sound very young and a bit immature. He/she is trying to re-invent the wheel. Does he think past generations are so stupid they made the rules on work/rest times just for fun?

We once had to go ‘team bonding’ and do a charity event at the same time, it was actually made into one of our annual objectives, so the firm could virtue signal about it.
I resented it like fuck. One event we had to do was hard landscaping, it fucking snowed, we then all got stuck 100 miles from home. Who thinks of these ideas, team bond over a nice lunch!!

Ffs. Assume your boss will be prepared to deal with corporate manslaughter charges if someone writes themselves off driving home after working enforced crazy hours.

Bloody stupid idea. We did a charity event a couple of years ago where I did 8.30am until 1 am the following morning. That was my own choice but wiped me out for the weekend. Taxis were laid on so nobody had to drive in a dangerously tired state.

Another reason to kick off and refuse to particupate in this sort of shit is the harm that idiot bosses like this are doing to wider society. All these douchebros and their 'disruption' companies completely fail to understand how the world works, and that it actually contains people with different skills and goals and different experiences to them and their douchey hipster mates. So you end up with this sort of horribly exploitative workplace culture which is totally unsuited to anyone with children, other dependents or health conditions; you end up with where we are now where unlimited unpaid overtime is 'just being a team player' and most of the time the business isn't making or seeling anything anyone needs or wants.

The employer isn't making anyone drive home though not is attendance compulsory. Surely the employees have a responsibility not to drive home knowing they are tired?

@KentishMama

What's happening?

As it's a young trendy startup type thing they'll probably be coked up to the eyeballs anyway, so aren't so phased by the lack of sleep

Sorry to keep you waiting! Didn't get a chance to raise concerns till late this afternoon. But you'll be proud of me because I have achieved this:

• Boss has reiterated that is optimal (but hopes for good attendance... )
• If anyone wants to join for part of the event, but needs to go home after a few hours to take care of kids or whatever, then that's now fine. "Just come along for as long as you can!"
• If anyone wants a taxi to go home, it will be paid for.
• The day after is definitely a day off.

I've now said I'm going to attend for a bit and will go home late evening, and I suspect a few people will follow suit...

So I didn't manage to change the plans completely, but won a few concessions.

Not optimal. Optional. Fat fingers!

PS: I've also done some maths and realised that only 10% of the people involved actually have kids. Made me feel just a bit old.

PPS: Boss and boss' boss (who seem to have dreamt this up jointly) are not that young & inexperienced. Actually the opposite. But have previously worked for the kind of companies that would provide all meals, sleep pods etc. in an effort to prevent staff from ever leaving the office...

Well done - that's a workable compromise at least.

Yes well done OP, that sounds eminently more sensible.

Well done OP! So pleased you spoke out rather than suck it up as some posters suggested.

Just make sure you go home exactly when you want, don't stay a moment longer for fear of seeming like you're not committed or other boll*x.

If it was me, I'd stay for an extra half an hour and then wave goodbye!

Whenever we had hackathons they were not to solve company's business problems! They were to solve problems employees (not bosses!) thought need addressing. I am not sure how successfull yoir event is going to be. People will feel used. Not good for general morale. I never stayed late but somer done all nighter because it was their pride and joy to show a finished project and to compete for a prize.

Well done Kentishmama - if I were you I'd stay maybe half an hour longer than the norm and then leave with a breezy goodbye.

Some of these idiots have no home lives - do you wonder why?

Yeah go for a few hours, drop acid. It's what all the cool kids are doing in silicon valley, if your boss asks. Enthuse wildly about the innovative hackathon while writhing on the carpet.

I'm sure they'll be in a big rush to do it again!

livefornaps

That sounds much better. I actually do deprive myself of sleep to work sometimes, but that's my own silly fault and my own choice (it has to do with proving that I AM NOT TOO OLD TO ROCK AND ROLL) but the idea of being coerced into participating in what is purely and simply unpaid overtime with no real benefit is one that should be resisted.

I dunno, these events as "silly" etc they may be also does foster bonding and some people are night owls. Some older people may not understand. Because"in their day....". Yadda yadda yadda. Think for yourself. Don't seek consensus from a bunch of strangers not in your business or your shoes. This kind of thing shows, who's really on board. Who is willing to stick it out for the company. Who's with and who is against. Your Superior knows very little will probably come of it... except maybe who will get the next promotion. I'm sure it won't be the one in bed when others sacrificed. But hey, it's your decision in the end and a career isn't everything.

What a fucking ridiculous idea.

The people staying up all night are doing speed.

I’d be so unimpressed at a company that comes up with such a stupid plan.