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

[Newyeargrinch]

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?

Will they be getting pay rises with all the extra business this event brings in? If not, what's the benefit to them?

I'm really not.

I've clearly said I think the OP handled it badly. I just don't get all the drama of being asked to work ONE Saturday with TEN months notice...people are reacting like it's the end of the world.

If it's not in your contract and you aren't in a position to work or simply don't want to then say no. It's that easy. No need to tell your employer to 'fuck off' or hand your notice in. The hyperbole is unnecessary.

And if the day isn’t particularly successful in pulling in new business will the OP’s company have to close/make redundancies? She didn’t allude to it being make or break, just that it would be ‘beneficial’.

Then you don't do that event again or your try a different approach.
There is nothing wrong with a business trying to do something that might be beneficial in the short or long term. Isn't that part of running a business?

But it's not that easy! People have said no, and the OP is saying they have to work anyway. Which is obviously very unreasonable.

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.

That was a perfectly nice response back from staff. Your reply was shitty!

But it's not that easy! People have said no, and the OP is saying they have to work anyway. Which is obviously very unreasonable.

I agree that the OP is being unreasonable.
However, the concept of being asked to work a Saturday isn't....

They are people, not chattels.

Well, not if they dont agree to it, but if you put it on their work rota and they will be paid for it, then you're more likely to get it covered than asking people to keep it clear as a voluntary thing.

You want everyone to keep it free? Will you need everyone there on the day? Or are you asking everyone to keep it free just in case? I don't understand your planning.

Since there's 10 months notice, as you've emphasised, YOU, as the employer and organiser of the event, need to determine which staff you need, roster them in, and accommodate for any who cannot attend for whatever reason. Not ask everyone to keep it free ten months in advance just in case they're needed.

C'mon OP, come back!

Well the issue is really the the OP thinks they shouldnt be allowed to say no, isnt it

Interesting you critisise the hyperbole whilst simultaneously saying people are reacting like it's the end of the world. Im pretty sure they aren't so perhaps avoid hyperbole of your own if it bothers you so much?

No, you're still missing it. They are not being asked, they are being told!

It's bone idle Britain- you're on a loser with this one, particularly on Mnet.

Ridiculous. An event close to Christmas and you honestly expect people to give up a precious Saturday? This should definitely be optional and the company should be offering TOIL or TOIL payments at time and a half.

If you think it’s a ‘small ask’ then why did you need to give people ten months’ notice and why do you think you’ve had such an overtly negative reaction?

It’s because it’s not a ‘small ask’ at all. It’s a ‘big ask’ and one people have every right to say no to. I’d have just told you I had plans and couldn’t do it. My plans would be looking after my kids. I have four and not a single person I could ask to look after them on a Saturday in December.

No, you're still missing it. They are not being asked, they are being told!

I'm not. I agree the OP is very unreasonable to tell her staff they have to work a Saturday.
I'm saying being asked in the first place isn't unreasonable.

Yabvvu

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 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.

@ElaineMBenes it's clear from the words and tone that not only do staff have no choice but how very dare they mind having to work a December saturday .

I work for a supermarket who regularly pulls stunts like this. Admittedly they do a lot for the community and charity but they get a bit arsey if you don't want to join in.
I have my own charitable causes I support I don't need to support theirs as well. My time off is exactly that.
The main objection we have is when we need extra staff to actually run the business it's never forthcoming.

I left my last job (school) as we were expected to work several unpaid open days on Saturdays.

not a small ask

I wouldn't work a Saturday ever if it was my non working day (even if you paid me double time)

However you may have got volunteers if you'd framed it as a great opportunity to earn more money close to Christmas by paying double time and giving a day in lieu

I run a small business and there's no way I'd be telling any of my staff they have to work a Saturday if they're not normally contracted to do so. I'd ask politely and accept if they said no, I certainly wouldn't demand it. If they did say yes, I'd also be paying them more than usual or giving them 1.5 days back in lieu since it's an unsociable day. (Unless it's a commission-based event of course, which is presumably what you mean by it benefiting them).

Sponsorship is generally a big waste of money 9 times out of 10 anyway, and it's of no relevance to your staff that you decided to spend that (most businesses only do it to lower corp tax).

I certainly would not be demanding a Saturday near Christmas, when people have plans with family and friends, often ones they haven't seen in a long time. They can't always be easily rearranged, especially if they're based around a particular seasonal event or showing.

My birthday is near Christmas and I have a hard enough time arranging things with people as it is, I certainly wouldn't be taking a day from my staff for work reasons.

@ElaineMBenesit's clear from the words and tone that not only do staff have no choice but how very dare they mind having to work a December saturday

I have said multiple times that the way the OP has managed this is very unreasonable so I'm not sure what you want me to say at this point?

@LuluBlakey1 alright Alan Sugar.
I tell you who’s actually bone idle : the majority of middle management with zero people skills and an attitude that thinks everyone should be grateful to go over and above for bare bones as thanks.

If I am not obliged to work Saturdays, giving up my time on demand for TOIL and a vague promise of it being beneficial in the future is a non starter.

Insulting a team who have responded fairly to an idiot manager shows which end of the skills scale you sit at.

And @Newyeargrinch please return and let us know your thoughts now