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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Work Xmas dinner on a Saturday?

112 replies

Beachybeach · 29/10/2021 11:54

I work for a corporation and mainly work from home. Everyone in my team lives across the country so a Xmas party was never going to be local.

Apparently due to covid our main Xmas do will be moved to spring time (will be all expenses covered including travel/hotel)

But my manager has suggested that we all go out for dinner on a Saturday in December. As it’s not our proper Xmas do we’ll be expected to pay for it ourselves.

AIBU to think it’s really shit to meet up with colleagues/bosses on a Saturday?! I work with these people all week let alone on a Saturday too.

OP posts:
Bushkin · 29/10/2021 11:55

Just say no then?

Naunet · 29/10/2021 11:58

Yeah, I wouldn’t be going!

FilledSoda · 29/10/2021 11:59

I wouldn't do it either .

gingercat02 · 29/10/2021 11:59

We always have our Christmas do (which we pay for) on a weekend, but we do all like each other. Just decline

TasteTheMeatNotTheHeat · 29/10/2021 12:00

It's your beloved cousin's wedding that day. You are sorry you'll be missing the Xmas do and you hope they all have a wonderful day

tempchecked · 29/10/2021 12:02

I wouldn't go no matter what the day of the week it was.

Each to their own of course, but I, (like many I suspect) look on forced work jollity like this as a total bore and pain in the hoop.

And no, Saturday would be a no no. Your boss needs to know this ASAP. What do your colleagues think?

madnessitellyou · 29/10/2021 12:02

I'd be conveniently unavailable.

Doubleraspberry · 29/10/2021 12:05

I’m public sector and have paid for every Christmas party I’ve ever gone to as a result. But if you don’t want to go for dinner, don’t.

ilovesooty · 29/10/2021 12:05

I'd have been up for this in my last job as I really liked my colleagues and frequently socialised with them and enjoyed it.

If you don't want to go just decline. I wouldn't be making up an excuse though as it risks being put in the same situation again.

jamandmarmalade · 29/10/2021 12:12

@Beachybeach

I work for a corporation and mainly work from home. Everyone in my team lives across the country so a Xmas party was never going to be local.

Apparently due to covid our main Xmas do will be moved to spring time (will be all expenses covered including travel/hotel)

But my manager has suggested that we all go out for dinner on a Saturday in December. As it’s not our proper Xmas do we’ll be expected to pay for it ourselves.

AIBU to think it’s really shit to meet up with colleagues/bosses on a Saturday?! I work with these people all week let alone on a Saturday too.

so he wants you to pay for your own Saturday. Hmm He wants your time and your money. That is some pound of flesh cheek right there.

CF !

Sausagedogsarethebest · 29/10/2021 12:13

If it was all paid for I might consider it but wouldn't pay to go out with colleagues on a Saturday.

jamandmarmalade · 29/10/2021 12:14

Do you work for Ebeneezer Scrooge?

daisypond · 29/10/2021 12:18

I think it’s OK. You don’t have to go. Would you not normally associate with your colleagues outside of work time? No after-work drinks? There’s not one person you’d invite to a birthday meet-up? That’s unusual to me.

Bavarois · 29/10/2021 12:18

I'm public sector too and this just sounds normal to me? We're hoping to have a Christmas night out on a Saturday in December (obviously paid for ourselves) but management aren't happy about it in case we get contact traced and it affects the service. So they're actually trying to dictate what we do on our weekends! You've just been invited out for dinner so YABU. Just don't go if it's a problem.

icedcoffees · 29/10/2021 12:19

Just say no - it's not obligatory!

MaryBoBary · 29/10/2021 12:19

@daisypond

I think it’s OK. You don’t have to go. Would you not normally associate with your colleagues outside of work time? No after-work drinks? There’s not one person you’d invite to a birthday meet-up? That’s unusual to me.
It's really not. I think it's more unusual to genuinely like the random people you work with.
anniegun · 29/10/2021 12:20

Just say no. The people who do go will probably enjoy it more if those who don't want to be there stay away

Shadedog · 29/10/2021 12:21

We always have our Christmas do (which we pay for) on a weekend, but we do all like each other

Same for us. Ours is the Saturday before Christmas this year. I’m really looking forward to it. Public sector so obviously we pay for ourselves. I don’t see what the problem is with not going if you don’t want to. Nobody would think it odd that you aren’t free on a weekend in December.

daisypond · 29/10/2021 12:21

Work Christmas parties would always be in your own time too. No one would be put up in a hotel and there would be no travel paid for. There’s generally no food, just some drinks paid for. Large global private company.

Starcaller · 29/10/2021 12:21

Ours was always on a Saturday - lunch and then pub all afternoon into evening. But we did all like each other and would organise nights out together at other times of the year too!

LordEmsworth · 29/10/2021 12:24

You're not unreasonable to not go.

You are a bit unreasonable to think that others aren't allowed to suggest it. A lot of my team socialise together and would love to. My response is, I hope you have a lovely time not YOU DISGUSTING PIECE OF SHIT HOW DARE YOU

daisypond · 29/10/2021 12:24

It's really not. I think it's more unusual to genuinely like the random people you work with.

The people I work with, and have worked with in the past, are my some of my closest friends. Everyone I work with is nice and we have lots in common - otherwise we wouldn’t all do the same job.

Ellmau · 29/10/2021 12:26

Sorry, you are otherwise engaged that day. Oh and that one too.

What a shame, you would so love to have been there, but you have such a busy social life...

ImInStealthMode · 29/10/2021 12:26

Our (paid for) Christmas Do is always on a weekend so nobody has to work the next day. Can't say it would bother me if we had to pay for ourselves or at least contribute, but I like the majority of my colleagues and socialise with a lot of them outside of work anyway.

coogee · 29/10/2021 12:26

I’d do it but I actually like the people I work with.

Otherwise, I’d just say no thanks.