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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Miffed we weren't invited to work Xmas do.

144 replies

YouAreTheEggManIAmTheWalrus · 10/12/2019 08:54

So myself and another lady work PT self-employed for a large local firm. Regardless of being PT we have a role integral to the business and have probably saved them thousands of pounds in payouts due to complaints by taking preemptive/preventative measures. We also go over and above in the busy summer period, grafting our backsides off doing physical jobs that aren't in our remit to pick up the slack when other staff members are off on hols. We do this happily, without complaint because we know how screwed they'd be if we didn't.

Aaanyhoo, it became apparent last week that myself and other lady hadn't been invited to their Xmas do. No explanation, it wasn't even acknowledged at any point. All the FT employed staff went out to a party night at a hotel on an evening that myself and the other lady were in the office, so it's not like it happened on a day we weren't in. We all get on really well, there's no historical beef or anything, it's just totally unexplained and other than the fact we are PT and self employed I can't see any reason why we'd be excluded. AIBU to feel really miffed and to feel as though after the work we've put in this year it's a shitty way to treat people?
I made a jokey comment about us not being invited and everyone else in the office was really surprised that we weren't, so this is down to one of two managers or whoever organised it. I'm really pissed off about it and feel like I would rather work for someone who at least acknowledges our hard work and considers us part of the team. Am I overreacting?

OP posts:
Original poster
YouAreTheEggManIAmTheWalrus · 10/12/2019 09:22

@IHaveAnOutie thanks for that, definitely goes a good way to explain it. I can't speak for the other lady but I'd have been happy to pay for a seat.

@OlaEliza

Also just to say, in the past when moving offices, I was asked to go in on a Sunday and help out unpaid which I did. This particular manager didn't realise we were self employed he later said. So the lines between our self employed status and what is asked of us are blurred at times.

@OlaEliza & @Figgygal I will definitely be working within my remit from herein.

@MrsMaiselsMuff the job was advertised as self-employed, we do our regular jobs in other industries as employees. Tbh I just think it's a way to get around them giving us employed status and rights.

OP posts:
ChickenyChick · 10/12/2019 09:24

same here.

But as they do not want to give me employed status, unlike you I do not go above and beyond.

I do my job, and work hard at doing it to a high standard, but I bill all my hours and do do unpaid or "above and beyond" stuff.

It still hurts a bit to be left out like this, and maybe you need to think if you want to stay, or ask for employed status...

Lifecraft · 10/12/2019 09:25

So everyone gives the taxman a list of Christmas party attendee what a load of cobblers

There's an old saying, better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you might be an idiot, than to open it and remove all doubt.

You really should heed this nugget of advice.

ChickenyChick · 10/12/2019 09:25

and don't go in on Sundays unpaid!!!

KL06 · 10/12/2019 09:27

Thank you @andpancakesforbreakfast

Hoppinggreen · 10/12/2019 09:29

I’m pretty sure you are employed in that case.
Under new rules as I said earlier from April HMRC are cracking down on this and the end client can face fines and penalties, whereas previously the onus was on the employee/ contractor to prove their status.
Larger companies (such as Lloyd’s and Tesco Bank) have made changes already and I know a lot of Contractors who have been told that at renewal they will have to go inside IR35 or use an umbrella company
Just be aware that if your “employer “ feels they will be investigated they may just get rid of you rather than properly follow the rules unfortunately.
Christmas party invite (or lack of) may be the least of your worries

Original poster
YouAreTheEggManIAmTheWalrus · 10/12/2019 09:30

@ChickenyChick yes in hindsight I shouldn't have. I had just started with the company the week before and was caught off-guard by a "big boss" who asked me three times to go in and help with the rest of the team.

You're absolutely right to do what you're paid to do and nothing more. I need to take a leaf from your book!

OP posts:
Astrabees · 10/12/2019 09:33

DH used to work for a large civil engineering company which used sub contractors for much of its work and individuals were sometimes seconded to one of the other companies for a period of time. Everyone down to the very part time tea lady was invited to and paid for at the Christmas do (and a few other things) There is a huge benefit in bringing people together which transcends Inland Revenue rules. There is nothing to prevent contractors being invited, it is just that the company cannot claim tax relief on entertaining them.

Original poster
YouAreTheEggManIAmTheWalrus · 10/12/2019 09:37

@Hoppinggreen maybe they are getting tetchy then, yes. I need to look into this, thank you.

OP posts:
MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 10/12/2019 09:40

Well I guess there will no more going above and beyond this summer then? Stick to the job you’re paid for. Good will goes both ways or it doesn’t go at all IMO

RomaineCalm · 10/12/2019 09:43

As others have said it's likely to be down to HMRC regulations. You risk your IR35 status if you are seen to be taking advantage of subsidised meals, training and events and there is a huge crackdown at the moment on whether individuals really are self-employed.

It sounds as if it could have been communicated better but likely to be nothing to do with you being part-time. For those that are saying that the OP should be treated as 'part of the team' this is exactly why the lines get blurred between employed and self-employed status and why HMRC will challenge it.

Original poster
YouAreTheEggManIAmTheWalrus · 10/12/2019 09:45

@Astrabees thank you, this was my feeling
tbh, lots of businesses invite contractors of all types to their do's and historically the people doing our job were invited. Perhaps they are nervous about the new HMRC regs as a PP says. I don't want to be "that person" going on about it when I go in this week so I'll probably never get an answer as to why we weren't. Suppose I just wanted to know if others would feel the same. I've had a really bad year and wasn't sure if I had taken it too much to heart due to being overly stressed anyway.

OP posts:
CoolcoolcoolcoolcoolNoDoubt · 10/12/2019 09:45

So everyone gives the taxman a list of Christmas party attendeesshockwhat a load of cobblers

They might not give it as a matter of course but during an audit you would have to present that information for sure. At work we have to keep lists for all our hospitality stuff!

Original poster
YouAreTheEggManIAmTheWalrus · 10/12/2019 09:48

@RomaineCalm it's a good point for sure. I hadn't known about this, so I'm glad I posted or I'd have been forever wondering!

OP posts:
SpeckledyHen · 10/12/2019 09:49

I am PT contract employed and get all the same perks , bonuses and extras the same as FT on the payroll .
I would feel extremely pissed off if I had been left out .

Original poster
YouAreTheEggManIAmTheWalrus · 10/12/2019 09:52

@Hingeandbracket I suppose it's because we're expected to act like an employee because the lines are so blurred. We'd have happily paid for ourselves, we wouldn't have expected to be paid for, just included.

OP posts:
Frosty26827 · 10/12/2019 10:01

I can’t comment on HMRC rules because I know nothing about them, but really how sad is it when you can’t just organise a Christmas meal and invite everyone along for a good old feed and a few drinks without being concerned about regulations!

All the joy seems to being sucked out of life!

Dacquoise · 10/12/2019 10:05

It's just rude and unkind. What is wrong with people? The person organising needs an empathy check.

Hingeandbracket · 10/12/2019 10:06

It's not about being treated as an employee, it's about being treated as part of the team.
You are not “part of the team” if you are self employed- that’s not how it works. Companies and workers need to stop muddying these boundaries.

Hingeandbracket · 10/12/2019 10:08

I suppose it's because we're expected to act like an employee

Time to put a stop to that - employers can’t have it both ways, they either employ people properly or they can flip off expecting us to act like employees.

NewName73 · 10/12/2019 10:09

I am freelance and have been invited to two of my clients' Xmas dos.

Both long-standing clients I have worked with for a few years.

Both events are just drinks in a pub/bar though - not very elaborate.

Hingeandbracket · 10/12/2019 10:10

FWIW I much prefer to be self employed. I have no desire to wear a Christmas jumper on Friday or go to the party and I don’t miss stupid performance appraisals and other daftness. But that’s just me.

Claphands · 10/12/2019 10:11

Also, they shouldn’t be asking anyone to go in unpaid to move offices!

Stickybeaksid · 10/12/2019 10:25

My employer doesn’t invite contractors to any Christmas parties. We have a load of contractors on my team so we have our own drinks and invite everyone. I hate when people are excluded

Loopytiles · 10/12/2019 10:25

You may well actually be an employee under HMRC rules.

The set up sounds like “false self employment”.

Important to be aware of your tax and employment rights status to inform your decisions about where to work.