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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:
dimsum123 · 27/01/2019 08:18

And not that it's justified but law firms do pay ££££££ to extract your pound of flesh. I bet the Internet start up doesn't.

RiddleyW · 27/01/2019 08:19

Yes Tamere I wasn’t suggesting it’s a good idea. Just noting that I doubt it’s really problematic from a legal point of view.

When I did it we were allowed to get taxis home at least.

TaMereAPoilDevantPrisu · 27/01/2019 08:21

I think what would be legally problematic is framing it as optional then making op's career suffer for not taking part.

fancynancyclancy · 27/01/2019 08:22

i’m one of those who said suck it up. That’s because often the monetary reward is good, it’s a great place to have on your CV (so you put your time in & get out) & usually there’s a queue of people wanting to take your job. Plus depending upon the industry you can find its quite small particularly at a senior level so you don’t want to be that person who kicks up a fuss & gets a rep. None of this is right but it’s life.

cushioncovers · 27/01/2019 08:22

Dangerous to drive or cycle home after that long awake.

RiddleyW · 27/01/2019 08:23

Yes potentially it’s indirect discrimination I agree although would be very difficult to prove.

It’s interesting reading this thread as I’m considering making a move to a trendy start up. Not sure it’s going to be for me to be honest!

Deadbudgie · 27/01/2019 08:23

If he’s going to give you the next day off - can’t you just do this the next day? I’d just say no sorry I need to sleep. How would you get home the next day?would they be paying for a door to door taxi?

whiteworld · 27/01/2019 08:24

Why do they think you’ll all come up with better ideas at the end of the day?

Why not suggest you do the brainstorming all day, then go out for dinner as a compromise?

Deadbudgie · 27/01/2019 08:25

Or just say nothing maybe agree it sounds like fun then come down with d&v that week

Babdoc · 27/01/2019 08:27

I suspect they’re doing this to either a) test the level of staff resistance before making it a regular thing, or
b) using it as as a way to force older (and more expensive) staff to look for jobs elsewhere, without having to find an excuse to sack them.
OP, I’d be looking for a new job with a firm that has more regard for its staff. I worked 80 hour continuous shifts as a junior doc, on 100 hour weeks, and the sleep deprivation was appalling. I fell asleep in my dinner, at the cinema, and very nearly at the wheel of my car. Don’t let your company get away with this thin end of a big wedge.

fancynancyclancy · 27/01/2019 08:29

My dad was a banker in the 70/80s and he occasionally did all nighters or it wasn’t worth going home for a few hours so he just slept at his desk. My friends husband is a barrister & another friend is a partner. They have both done some crazy hours in their time.

Deadbudgie · 27/01/2019 08:31

I also think this shit is ruining people’s lives. You get a few people at the top (and those trying to get there) who think work is the most important thing in the world treat their families (if they have one) like shit expect everyone else to revolve life around work. Deadlines become stupidly short, more and more work is put on fewer people. People like your boss are one of the main reasons mental health at work is in such dire straights. I’d be looking for a new job. I actually feel angry for you

ErrolTheDragon · 27/01/2019 08:31

I am slightly amused how many of the posts on this thread were posted in the early hours!

Even night owls think it's a bad idea! (And it is the weekend)

TaMereAPoilDevantPrisu · 27/01/2019 08:32

and not everyone on MN is in the UK time zone...

Fundays12 · 27/01/2019 08:35

Say no it’s dangerous to force people to work that long fun games or not. You legally need a certain number of hours off in between work if I am correct.

MumInBrussels · 27/01/2019 08:35

I think the suggestion to be all enthusiastic and then try to fix it so it's actually feasible is probably your best bet. (Or calling in sick.) The legal/H&S stuff is unlikely to do much other than make your boss dislike you, practically. But if you can change the plans so it's done in shifts (injecting energy into the team, etc) with breaks for food around each shift change, and maybe some sort of shift handover period, it might not be too bad. You could then selflessly volunteer for the early shift, since you're such a team player...

HandsOffMyRights · 27/01/2019 08:38

No. Was this devised by a childless male/man who doesn't have responsibility for childcare?

I would say no, you don't have childcare (plus it's a really shit idea regardless).
It's hard enough when you're the only/minority working mother in an organisation and nonsense like this makes it even harder - generally on women.

ThePants999 · 27/01/2019 08:39

My company does these 24-hour hackathons, a couple of times a year. But (a) they genuinely are optional, and (b) nobody is ACTUALLY expected to work the whole 24 hours (and nobody does), everyone goes home at some point.

They are genuinely fun, and popular, perhaps thanks to that...

Checkthemeaning · 27/01/2019 08:39

Under the Health and Safety At Work Act, employers have a (legal) duty of care towards employees for their wellbeing in the workplace. This seems to be ignored here.

daisychain01 · 27/01/2019 08:40

OP try to find out what others think and suggest you go as a united front to management about your collective concerns. You have a duty of care to your staff (those are good words to use).

Make an alternative suggestion, as the solution, rather than shooting the idea down in flames ( even though it deserves to be!). Suggest an away-day to a local venue is worth the investment because staff are going to perform a lot better if they've slept and rested. You have concerns about staff welfare and motivation to complete the tasks.

I wouldn't just bail out by saying you've got other plans. That masks the problem, you need to kill it at source, once and for all!

percypeppers · 27/01/2019 08:40

You need to grow a pair and say no. Judging by the responses on this thread I think you will find you have a team of supporters. After all, it's optional, isn't it?

Employers are getting more ridiculous by the day. I like my job but it's a job and I get paid. I'm not interesting in foregoing sleep to work 24 hours. FFS!

Frazzled2207 · 27/01/2019 08:41

The thing is I bet the organising person doesn't have children to manage and the same goes for most of the young staff.

When I was in my twenties I worked for a firm where we did daft things a bit like this but none of us had families- bar one lady who didn't join in.

I would be coming up with a childcare reason that meant I couldn't do it.

JenniferJareau · 27/01/2019 08:43

No way would I do this. I put my decline across very nicely but it is a decline.

In my twenties I could survive on little sleep but now I'm older no way does that fly.

Waytooearly · 27/01/2019 08:45

This isn't an emergency all-nighters.

Don't get all truculent. This isn't even up for debate.

I would be very chill about it all but just take the tone of, 'Right, sounds like a lark for those who want to do it. Obviously those of us with kids or other duties won't do the all-nighter, maybe we could all share a late taxi home at 10ish.'

I bet your your boss will be shamed into saying, 'Uh yeah, that's what I thought too.'

If he's really clueless and doesn't take the hint and insists that everyone do the unnecessary all-nighter, just look bemused and say, 'Of course I can't request people to pull an all nighter for no reason. Health and safety!'

I think the tone to take is a gentle surprise at the suggestion, and a chilled out, 'No of course not' if he insists.

DSHathawayGivesMeFannyGallops · 27/01/2019 08:45

YANBU. I'd be fucking furious at such presumption that mentally, physically and logistically you're ok to just do that. DP has pulled a couple of very late nights as a necessity measure (law firm) and they've been really strict about him not coming in or doing severely reduced hours the next day. And they've provided his transport home (taxi from central London to Hampshire) and recompensed food bills. I'd want my transport home arranged and a full 24hrs off, in your case.

I'm a slight night owl, my natural nod off is about 12:30, but my entire routine is set up to try and get me to sleep as early and as easily as possible as this is how it has to be for work. I'm quite rigid with it. I also become very low-functioning when I'm tired. Enouhh lack of sleep leaves me with a severe headache. A headache which only really goes away with sleep. It's the only cure. No way would I willingly risk one for a silly work event.