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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Work situation - is this reasonable?

375 replies

Floofydawg · 04/12/2023 06:59

I'm in a mid senior role in financial services. Work part time (4 days, not condensed) but still get a full time workload done. Am expected to travel around once a month for work which ends up in me doing more than my paid hours that week. I don't get that time back and I still have to get my work done.

Next Monday I've been asked to travel for a department wide 'away day' which will basically just be a talking shop. This would mean me leaving home at 6.30am and not getting back til around 8pm. I've said I'm not going and my manager is trying to pressure me. AIBU to stick to my guns?

OP posts:
pinksquash13 · 04/12/2023 07:03

Is it your working day?

disappearingfish · 04/12/2023 07:05

If you are in a senior role then it's expected you will occasionally go above your hours. You could ask your manager for some time back instead.

SwishSwashSwooshSwersh · 04/12/2023 07:06

Probably expected. However could you ask to take the hours back over Xmas

jemenfous37 · 04/12/2023 07:07

Job descriptions usually state ' and other duties that may be required..' mid-senior role would suggest you are paid appropriately to do the hours required.

Loopytiles · 04/12/2023 07:08

u for you not to attend, unless it’s on your usual non working day.

Iwouldratherbemuckingout · 04/12/2023 07:08

Completely reasonable as an ask as long as not regular. I'll be leaving work to travel to do face to face interviews on Tuesday, leaving 630 back about 9. Just how it goes

Nofilteritwonthelp · 04/12/2023 07:09

disappearingfish · 04/12/2023 07:05

If you are in a senior role then it's expected you will occasionally go above your hours. You could ask your manager for some time back instead.

This, I would think this was normal for any senior role

AlisonDonut · 04/12/2023 07:09

Yes, that is what senior staff do, go to meetings that bore the shit off you but it is part of corporate life.

Original poster
Floofydawg · 04/12/2023 07:09

Yes it's my working day.

I should probably add, I have a colleague (same grade) who is saying they can't go due to childcare commitments and it's actually in their local office so less traveling required. It's kind of making me not want to put myself out tbh.

OP posts:
Original poster
Floofydawg · 04/12/2023 07:10

I just cba with this shit any more. I'm in my 50s and days like that completely exhaust me for the entire week. Think I need a different job.

OP posts:
wildwestpioneer · 04/12/2023 07:12

If it's your day in, then I'd say you should go. In that level of job, it's expected. As for your other colleague, it's a case of paddle your own canoe. You don't know what's going on in her life and her attending is nothing to do with you.

However, I would use this as a reason to kick off discussions in your next one to one with your manager. If you are regularly going over your hours and doing a ft job in pt hours they need to make some changes.

thedamnseason · 04/12/2023 07:13

If it's your working day then I don't think you can reasonably refuse. You can't really make up some childcare issue or other barrier now.
I'd just suck it up and take the additional time back.

And yes look for another job probably because you don't want this one!

MissBuffyAnneSummers · 04/12/2023 07:14

You should get the time back.

LakieLady · 04/12/2023 07:15

I think you have to go, as it's your normal working day, but you should be allowed to have time off in lieu for the extra hours.

Original poster
Floofydawg · 04/12/2023 07:15

If you are regularly going over your hours and doing a ft job in pt hours they need to make some changes.

I am yes, and there are no plans to change this anytime soon. We are under resourced as a team and the work just has to get done. It's causing resentment which makes me not want to put myself out.

OP posts:
wildwestpioneer · 04/12/2023 07:17

Floofydawg · 04/12/2023 07:10

I just cba with this shit any more. I'm in my 50s and days like that completely exhaust me for the entire week. Think I need a different job.

I'm with you op, I'm in my 50s, similar level job and I now hate away days etc.

I've wfh for over 10 years and it really disrupts my work week to be out of my office. This time of year is a nightmare. Last week we had a team lunch and piss up, this week I've got a day in London training and next week a face to face customer meeting. It means I've a short month anyway with Christmas, so already trying to cram a month's work into 3 weeks, never mind with 3 days away from my laptop.

All of which I'd relish 15 years ago, now I'd rather stab forks in my eyes. But it pays well and I'm in count down for retirement (well at least 10 years away).

GreatGateauxsby · 04/12/2023 07:21

Personally for MY job I would consider that unreasonable. And you should go. I would however consider leaving early due to travel or childcare.

YANBU at all about the job. it’s just not working as a 4 day a week role.
either you ruthlessly enforce it and let stuff fall by the wayside or take back time in lieu when you work a 5th day OR go full time.

either way I’d be looking for something else

BarbaraofSeville · 04/12/2023 07:25

You say you do a full time workload in 4 days, but what do you get paid - full salary or 80%? If it's the latter, you're losing out, you should be paid 100% because you are working full time condensed hours (or else you're either far more efficient and/or slapdash than everyone else).

Can you work a much shorter day the day after to make up for it - only work the afternoon or at least not start until 10/11 am for example?

IfYouDontAsk · 04/12/2023 07:32

If you’re in a senior role (and paid accordingly) and this falls on your working day I don’t think you have reasonable grounds not to go to an away day. If it’s going to involve hours and hours of travelling then you could reasonably request to be put up in a hotel the night before. No one likes away days but I think you just have to suck them up once or twice a year and be glad when they’re over with.

rookiemere · 04/12/2023 07:33

Agree with @BarbaraofSeville . I would go to the day - suspect I am similar grade and salary and expect occasional long hours travel- but finish up early one afternoon or take a few hours off for any non work commitments you have.

BooBooBaloo · 04/12/2023 07:33

Where I work it absolutely would be expected that someone in a Senior Role would put in the extra hours to attend this meeting. Saying no for childcare reasons and saying no because you can't be arsed are two very different things

pinkdelight · 04/12/2023 07:36

Seems completely normal to me for a career type role, as opposed to a clock on/clock off job. If you want to downshift do that, but you'll probably get paid less, unless you can swing cushy consulting roles.

TheDandyLion · 04/12/2023 07:37

Start calculating TOIL.

Floopani · 04/12/2023 07:38

Its not the away day that's the issue, it's your FT workload on a PT salary.

Pick your battles. The work 'just having to be done' isn't a good strategy for your employer or for you. You need to come up with a game plan for boundaries around this.

Ginmonkeyagain · 04/12/2023 07:41

For mid senior FS - those aren't insanely long hours for an occasional meeting.

I think you have to suck it up and go.

TBH you are pushing back at the wrong thing. Expecting you to travel a bit longer for an occasional away day - fine. Expecting you to do a full time work load for 80% of the pay, - not fine. Sort that out and don't be a dick about the away day.