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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not sure what to do about work situation Christmas day

38 replies

Cantsleepagain1 · 16/12/2022 17:40

I am bank staff for a community care company, so I work casually with them and choose the days/hours I can work.
They emailed me saying, 'You must work either Christmas day, boxing day, or new year's day'.

I am already working boxing and new year's in another job so I said I will do Christmas.
I don't drive and there's no public transport on Xmas day. It would be almost 2h walk each way.

They put a rota on for me, i asked if I could work in the other location which is walking distance from my home, explaining the situation.

They said, no sorry, we really need you to work in this location, you are the only person who can do it and we can't cover your shifts. (This is very typical of care companies)

What would you do? I used to have a bike but just sold it to make some money. I'm thinking of just seeing if I can rent a bike for a day or two.
Surely as I'm bank staff I'm not obliged to work this day, I wish I'd said no. I'm also giving them 9 days' notice.

OP posts:
spookymarmite · 16/12/2022 17:42

You're bank, so they can't force you to work.

I'd simply tell them you can't get there

onepieceoflollipop · 16/12/2022 17:43

If you’re bank staff then I think you can just say no.
I’d probably message back with my availability and reiterate the days I am unavailable.
They can’t have it both ways - presumably they didn’t offer shifts for the other bank holidays so you agreed to work elsewhere (for somewhere more organised who planned ahead)
now they have realised they need you but it’s all rather late notice?

panko · 16/12/2022 17:43

Can you work your other job on Christmas day?

ApolloandDaphne · 16/12/2022 17:43

Just go back to them and say you have realised you can't do it as you have no transport. Keep saying no even if they push.

Sindonym · 16/12/2022 17:46

Bank staff can just say no. They’ll be pissed off with you saying no now but they shouldn’t have said you had to do it in the first place. As you have given your notice in they may well expect you not to turn up anyway so will hopefully have a plan b

Sindonym · 16/12/2022 17:47

Oh just realised I misunderstood the notice thing. I guess it comes down to how much you want to piss them off.

MinnieGirl · 16/12/2022 17:48

You have a casual bank contact you are not required to work any shifts, that’s the beauty of bank work!

Just message them and say you are no longer available for Christmas Day work. Nothing else. If they say you have to, just say you are a bank worker so you pick and choose your shifts and you have given them reasonable notice that you will not be available. They are trying it on.

Also, I would have a separate cheap PAYG mobile for work, that I would turn off when I needed to…

Phineyj · 16/12/2022 17:49

You can do it but they will have to pay for a taxi each way? (Can you get taxis on the 25th?) Worth a try if they've genuinely got no-one.

thelobsterquadrille · 16/12/2022 17:52

The beauty of being bank staff is that they can't force you to work if you don't want to.

Just say you're unavailable and ignore any further messages.

WeeOrcadian · 16/12/2022 17:56

You're bank - they can swivel. I wouldn't be working because they told me that I have to, but I'm very contrary and despise being told what to do.

PupInAPram · 16/12/2022 18:01

They have a problem with cover which they are off loading on to you so it becomes your problem. I would just message that you cannot do it. I wouldn't even explain why as that will encourage them to argue back. The whole point of bank is no commitment either side.

CrownTheTurkey · 16/12/2022 18:04

You're bank staff, they can't force you to work anything or anywhere that you don't want to.
They might show an arseface with shifts after the holidays, but it won't last for long because they will need you more than you will need them.

Muddywaters1 · 16/12/2022 18:08

What CrownFace said. You don't have to do it if you cant

Elmo230885 · 16/12/2022 18:10

It sounds like you are in a hard position OP. As much as PPs are correct about being bank and not having to work; I presume working the shift is what you want to do as it will be worth it for the money judging by the fact you've sold your bike for extra money.
Could you ask a neighbour or friend to borrow a bike?, or possible look on Facebook for a cheap one you'll be able to use again? Or put a notice up in the care home staff area asking if anyone lives nearby that could give you a lift, even if it's part of the way?

Original poster
Cantsleepagain1 · 16/12/2022 18:12

Thank you. I'm only needed for 3 hours' work , time and a half Xmas day so I'll be on £45 before tax. Taxi each way will eat up most of that so I'll be likely working almost for free. I'll have to look into the costs of renting a bike, if not ask them for the taxi money or just be more firm.

OP posts:
Coffeepot72 · 16/12/2022 18:17

Just say no!

Usernamqwerty · 16/12/2022 18:19

Where do you live OP? Could you ask on local Facebook pages to see if anyone might be able to offer a lift / bike to borrow?

Blocked · 16/12/2022 18:20

I would say no I'm not doing it. It's not like there's a shortage of work for care workers.

Peashoots · 16/12/2022 18:20

I can’t believe you even agreed to their demands that you “had” to work one of these days. The benefit of working bank is you have complete freedom to choose which shifts you want to work. I would never work christmas as bank!! Tell them you wont be working Christmas Day, aren’t obliged to in any way. And have a nice christmas with your family or friends.

Georgyporky · 16/12/2022 18:23

Tell them you'll do it if they find a taxi for you & also pay the cost.
And also pay you for the travelling time.

Sapphire387 · 16/12/2022 18:23

Oh come now. They haven't offered you a proper contract of employment. Why on earth do you feel you are obliged to work on Christmas Day for them?!

feeona123 · 16/12/2022 18:23

Ask them to pay for a taxi

Greensky90 · 16/12/2022 18:23

What sort of bank is this OP? I've never known any bank to just put people down for shifts.... you would be better off applying for the NHS bank or similar.

Ohhh and you get double time too! Or probably more over Xmas.

AdoraBell · 16/12/2022 18:24

As others have said because you are bank staff they can’t force you to work. Tell them it’s not possible for this date.

Soontobe60 · 16/12/2022 18:29

Cantsleepagain1 · 16/12/2022 18:12

Thank you. I'm only needed for 3 hours' work , time and a half Xmas day so I'll be on £45 before tax. Taxi each way will eat up most of that so I'll be likely working almost for free. I'll have to look into the costs of renting a bike, if not ask them for the taxi money or just be more firm.

Tell them you’ll work, but they will have to arrange and pay for transport each way.