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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I allowed to take today off without employers permission?

69 replies

vlarder · 18/09/2020 10:59

I work remotely for a large company. Due to insomnia, I've essentially been working 18 hours a day for the past week. I enjoy my job and have plenty of work to do.

I've just had my last meeting and everything (and a bit more0) is pretty much in hand.

AIBU to take the day off and just periodically check emails?

OP posts:
BritInAus · 18/09/2020 11:55

How would they actually know? As long as you’re available to answer the phone and check emails you could definitely just do it... I’m sure many people have done that at times during working from home.

Trousersareoverrated · 18/09/2020 11:55

This would be completely fine at my work.

Foresttheout · 18/09/2020 11:57

Surely it depends on your company, while working from home nobody cares what hours I work as long as i'm available for meetings when needed, complete all my work and my total hours work matches my contract. Therefore nobody cares if I work extra hours one day and less the next as long as i'm not missing a pre-scheduled meeting. Other people I know working from home are expected to log in at 9 and out at 5 and that is that.
The fact you're asking if this is ok probably indicates you aren't working for a flexible company though

RedskyAtnight · 18/09/2020 11:57

No one here can tell you - it totally depends on your company culture and expectation. At my company, this would probably be ok, but I would have to ask first, not just do it. If all I was doing was periodically checking emails, it would also definitely be picked up that I wasn't actually working.

yelyah22 · 18/09/2020 11:58

I would, keep your phone nearby in case of calls and check on emails, you're obviously not a skiver because you clearly work hard.

TooTrueToBeGood · 18/09/2020 11:58

Only your manager can answer that question. If you take it off without clearing with your boss first a defense of "but mumsnet said it was OK" is hardly going to wash, is it?

AdoptAdaptImprove · 18/09/2020 12:03

If you have to ask because you don’t already know the answer, then it’s probably not okay. It would be completely fine for me because I’m not directly customer facing and have autonomy about how I manage my work, as long as it gets done to time. If I’m not duty adviser I’m not expected to be available all the time, so I have occasionally taken an early day, and kept my phone on me so I can see my calls and emails, and go back to my desk if I’m needed. I do always stay at home during core hours, though, so I can leap back in if necessary.

But if your role needs you to be in contact during core hours, or you’d be leaving other people to cover a shared inbox or phone line, then it’s unlikely to be okay.

majesticallyawkward · 18/09/2020 12:04

I wouldn't even say anything. If you've done your workload and are checking emails/answering your phone what's the issue? It's my standard work day at the moment, I do whatever I need to and then while waiting for people to get back to me or whatever I potter about the house and periodically check emails/listen out for my phone.

RaspberryHartleys · 18/09/2020 12:06

If flexitime is available, you eligible for the scheme and it has been approved - sure, great.

If not, you're giving people that wfh a bad name by "quietly taking a day off" whenever you feel like it

NoSquirrels · 18/09/2020 12:11

How would they know you're taking the day off, if you're answering emails and you'll get the job done for when it needs to be done?

My whole workload is self-directed, I just need to hit deadlines and be in communication when needed. I don't see any issue with your plan.

OchonAgusOchonO · 18/09/2020 12:12

Depends on your job. Dh and I can both do that. I work in academia, dh in a multinational. However, ds can't do it. He works in a hospital.

AntiHop · 18/09/2020 12:13

Given how much extra work you've done, if you think you can get away with it without anyone noticing, I can see the temptation.

You have got to stop working those hours, even if you are bored. You're raising your employer's expectation about what can be done in a working day which will mean they will expect this of you permanently, and other employees.

There so many things you can do with your time that are better for you. Read, do puzzles, watch Netflix, do mindfulness.

BoingBoingyBoing · 18/09/2020 12:15

It really depends on the culture at your workplace and your manager.

Personally I would absolutely finish early if I was on top of my work and had worked my contracted hours for the week, but it requires your company to be on board with that.

SurreyHillsGirl · 18/09/2020 12:17

Depends entirely on your role / culture of your firm / your boss

ancientgran · 18/09/2020 12:19

If you look at the working time directive you have gone over your permitted hours for the week so I think it should be OK but I'd let your manager know.

roarfeckingroarr · 18/09/2020 12:19

Sounds fine to me. I do this when I've had a full on week because I'm an adult, my work is more than done and my boss respects my way of working.

seayork2020 · 18/09/2020 12:31

If your boss wants you to work extra hours they need to talk to you same as you need to talk to them to take time off

If you work extra hours yourself that is your choosing so you would still need to negotiate

Dominicgoings · 18/09/2020 12:31

Loving some of the faux outrage on the thread. As if everyone working from home has been glued to their laptops 9-5 since March Grin

OP if you’re up to date with your work, go and sit in the sun with a cuppa.

NataliaOsipova · 18/09/2020 12:33

You have done the work you need to do and you are available if anyone needs to contact you/ask you to do something else. Can’t see a problem myself.

Jaxhog · 18/09/2020 12:39

Please have some regard for your colleagues and Manager. How would you like it if they all skipped out with no notice? Either agree a day off or, if you're REALLY stressed, take a sick day. Random and short notice holidays are just inconsiderate.

Companies have processes for a reason.

Gazelda · 18/09/2020 12:46

What would happen if your boss found out? That should give you your answer.

ladybee28 · 18/09/2020 12:48

@Jaxhog

Please have some regard for your colleagues and Manager. How would you like it if they all skipped out with no notice? Either agree a day off or, if you're REALLY stressed, take a sick day. Random and short notice holidays are just inconsiderate.

Companies have processes for a reason.

She's not skipping out though, she's present via e-mail and checking to see if things need to be done.

If you've done your work and worked the hours you're paid for, and you can take a rest without causing problems for the rest of your team, take a bloody rest.

You're a person, not a process.

RedskyAtnight · 18/09/2020 12:49

Loving some of the faux outrage on the thread. As if everyone working from home has been glued to their laptops 9-5 since March

When anyone suggests that people wfh are slacking off, that's generally exactly what everyone says. So wfh people can't have it both ways.

Personally, my work takes longer now I am wfh, so I am pretty much glued to my laptop, and if I dare leave for more than the time it takes to make a cup of tea, I normally get back to a flurry of people trying to get in touch with me.

timeforanew · 18/09/2020 12:50

Do you have flexi time? I can set my own hours as long as I attend meetings and get my stuff done. I‘ve stopped working for today after 3 hours as I‘ve done to s over the last week (will check email
though).
it depends on the company and if they are into digital presenteism

adogisforlife91 · 18/09/2020 12:54

You're not really having the day off if you're still checking emails are you.

So what you mean is, can I chill out for the rest of the day. Of course you can. It sounds like you have the type of job like mine where as long as I get the work done it doesn't matter when i'm doing the work. I often chill out on a Friday afternoon but never go off on a jolly where I couldnt answer an email or phonecall if I'm needed.