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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect staff to keep this day free, even if not contracted to work?

983 replies

Newyeargrinch · 19/02/2024 08:47

Senior manager in a small business that has just paid out a considerable amount of money to sponsor a local event towards the end of the year (think Xmas fair). This could potentially bring in a lot of good publicity and business for us. The success of the event depends on having plenty of staff present to represent us. The event is on a Saturday. Some staff work Saturday anyway, some alternate Saturdays. Others are weekday only, some full time, others part time. I know full well that if we asked for volunteers or left until nearer the time, certain staff would come up with reasons why they couldn't help. Therefore an email has gone out to all staff, informing them of the date and saying we expect them to keep it free to attend this event (they will get an extra day off in lieu). Several staff replied to say they didn't know their plans that far ahead as yet but, if free, would be happy to help. We've replied that, if they have nothing planned, they can keep the day free and will be expected to help.

It has been fed back that many staff are unhappy and say that we cannot dictate what they do with their spare time.

I think it's a small ask, they've had 10 months notice and it could bring a lot of extra business our way, ultimately benefiting them!

AIBU?

OP posts:
ElliottFromScrubs · 19/02/2024 08:49

Hm yeah it’s a no from me. I have small children. What would you like me to do with them?

TheKeatingFive · 19/02/2024 08:49

It has been fed back that many staff are unhappy and say that we cannot dictate what they do with their spare time.

This seems to be an entirely reasonable position. You employ them, you don't own them.

Pegasusforme · 19/02/2024 08:49

I would have asked for Volunteers to roster on first.

Is it all about the big sell?

NorthernGirlie · 19/02/2024 08:50

It would be nice if they did but they don't have to. I'm pretty miserable at work at the moment and wouldn't plan to give up a Saturday

You've over stretched yourself to look good to the community and that's not the fault of any of your staff.

Merryoldgoat · 19/02/2024 08:50

So people are saying that if they’re free they’ll happily help? Seems fine to me.

UtopiaCookbook · 19/02/2024 08:50

Just roster everyone to work? The volunteer’ thing is giving mixed messages. And no, you can’t dictate their free time, if not being required and paid to work that day.

Itscatsallthewaydown · 19/02/2024 08:50

Personally I’d have told you to fuck off.

QueenBean22 · 19/02/2024 08:52

A Saturday near Christmas on a non contracted day , you have got to be joking!!

You are being vvvvvvvvv unreasonable to expect that

CharlotteUnaNatalieThompson · 19/02/2024 08:52

Depends what their contracts say. If they state something along the lines of "you may occasionally be expected to come in on days outside your standard ones and will be given a day off in lieu" then YANBU.

If their contracts are specific about the days they work with no mention of additional ones I don't see how you think it's reasonable to tell them to do this. Ask, fair enough, but you can't expect it.

Notahotmess · 19/02/2024 08:52

I work in HR. YABmassivelyU.

travelallthetime · 19/02/2024 08:52

Itscatsallthewaydown · 19/02/2024 08:50

Personally I’d have told you to fuck off.

this would have been my response. Either roster me if I already work some saturdays, if I dont, then after this message I absolutely wouldnt be there out of principle

rubyslippers · 19/02/2024 08:52

I think you’ve handled it badly
before you committed to the event I would have asked staff availability and offered a financial incentive to work not a day off - you sound a bit bullish
if they have kids, they may need to plan childcare and pay
they may have a Saturday hobby
there’s a million reasons why people may not want to work a weekend and if it’s not contracted hours you’re relying on goodwill - which I think you’ve lost

ProfessorInkling · 19/02/2024 08:52

What’s the incentive for them?

PuttingDownRoots · 19/02/2024 08:52

Saturday staff... fair enough.
Weekday staff... no. They are allowed to have a life

Alicewinn · 19/02/2024 08:53

I think you’ll need to add a cash incentive at this point, and say sorry for the way you’ve handled it. Try carrot not a stick sounds a bit too much stick

itstooearlytobeawake · 19/02/2024 08:53

Just roster the staff you want to work on that Saturday

Floopani · 19/02/2024 08:54

I'm not contracted to work on weekends. Therefore I don't. You can expect someone to work outside their contract all you like, but you don't have a leg to stand on.

Also, pretty poor planning on your part to arrange an event that you don't yet have staff in place for, given that it's success depends on exactly that.

If it's that important and lucrative, pay overtime. Stop expecting staff to line the pockets of the business out of the goodness of their hearts

GRex · 19/02/2024 08:54

I think they have got confused that it's a now working day, because you're talking about volunteering. You might need to pay time and a half if it is not working hours; the point of that is to cover additional childcare costs. You'll also have to accept that anyone with weddings or other major functions will need to be exempt.

heldinadream · 19/02/2024 08:54

Yes YAB bloody extremely U! Especially assuming we're talking near Christmas. They are employed by you and they have contracts, if you want extra from them you don't tell them it's expected, you offer them inducements and you still have no right to their free time, it's entirely within their rights to say no sorry can't make it or I'll let you know nearer the time. Do you think you're royalty or something? 😂

WandaWonder · 19/02/2024 08:54

No, I note beforehand 'if we get enough volunteers we will attend this event' fine their choice

Otherwise no

MagpiePi · 19/02/2024 08:54

Make it optional but either pay staff or give TOIL for the day. It’s not up to staff to fund your publicity stunts.

DaphneMoo · 19/02/2024 08:55

Not right, I would also offer more than 1 day of in lieu, as giving up a Sat ( esp near to Christmas) is worth more than working your usual wed which you have childcare in place for etc.

tinytemper66 · 19/02/2024 08:55

Itscatsallthewaydown · 19/02/2024 08:50

Personally I’d have told you to fuck off.

My thoughts exactly.

senua · 19/02/2024 08:55

I think it's a small ask, they've had 10 months notice and it could bring a lot of extra business our way, ultimately benefiting them!
It what way are they benefitting if they are merely getting TOIL?

SouperWoman · 19/02/2024 08:55

Is this a (tedious) reverse?

if not, YABU

good luck with motivating your staff for the next 10 months…