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?

YABU. Where I work there’s often a requirement to work at various events on a weekend. No one is forced to work but those who volunteer get a full day at time and a half plus a day TOIL. There’s never a lack of volunteers

I think this will backfire and you’ll have more refusing to do it now!

YABU to tell them they have to work that date if they are not contracted to work weekend. Also a day off in lieu is hardly any incentive. Surely a better approach would have been to offer bonuses to all who attend or additional enhanced pay…if it is so important.

Some people just go to work to make money….they’re not as invested as managers/owners and that’s fine. Peoples shouldn’t be expected to above and beyond.

Exactly this. It doesn’t even sound like the event is being held at their place of work, but somewhere else locally.

When I was in my late teens, my boyfriend was barista. Every year the store he worked in and a couple of other local branches, sponsored and took part in an ‘It’s A Knockout’ type event. Some physically took part, others helped with set-up/clean-up, some went round the ‘spectators’ collecting donations, etc. They all did it voluntarily. Some staff came with their families as spectators to supports, some just didn’t attend.
It was a real feel good day, and locally, everyone spoke positively about the businesses/teams that took part. BUT, it was so far removed from anyone’s job description, ‘just rotaing them in’ wasn’t an option.

Given that the op hasn’t responded to 28 pages of comments, I’d say that this more piss poor organisation rather that awkward employees.

I must be an absolute push over because I would have no issue with this. But then I love a weekday off - always feels like a real treat to me.

You’re unboundaried zeal has made you lose common sense. yabvu expecting staff work non working day

i hope the event goes ok

start by apologising to your staff, reinstate the good will

Offer time and a half rather than a day off.

You are being very unreasonable dictating what they can’t do on that date. And a day off in lieu? You need to do better than that. You’re not exactly selling it to your staff are you?

Another example of poor management. In the UK we do not spend enough time training staff to manage, we expect people who are good at their job to "manage" but without explaining how it can be done. The stages should have been:

1. At the start when the idea came up involve the staff in a meeting. Do not rely on sending an email round to everyone.
2. Work out what people will be doing. Talk to them ask for their ideas, listen to them even if you do not use those ideas.
3. Keep on asking them for ideas every week or so. Not just a one off.
4. Know who is committed and what the extra business is worth therefore haw much can you pay people extra to help. But you will still make a profit from the day.

Others are weekday only, some full time, others part time.

Why would you imagine you can direct these people to work on a Saturday?

it could bring a lot of extra business our way, ultimately benefiting them!

Are they shareholders?

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.

You are offering TOIL for overtime on a Saturday in December, correct? Are these the staff that are not contracted on that day? Are they perhaps also not contracted to that location?

Did you really respond to staff concerns by illegally directing them to work on a day they aren't employed @Newyeargrinch?

Has this thread helped you understand your problem at all?

It's not just a day off in lieu , it's an extra day off in lieu.
So maybe that's 2 days off in lieu ?

You're reasonable to ask for volunteers, but completely unreasonable to 'expect' people to 'keep it free' just in case you decide to try to force them to work that day.
If it were me I would intentionally make plans for that day out of spite. The entitlement is disgusting.

If youre happy to reimburse me for the childcare for the extra day off I'll have that I no longer need childcare for, look after three kids, take them to swimming lessons, take my MIL shopping and find me another afternoon where my husband isnt working and we can spend some time as a family... then sure!

An unreasonable ask, but equally doesn't sound like it has been communicated well at all. Why not go out to those who work Saturdays first? Then anyone additional is a bonus. The expectation that comes across in your original post would really make me question the organisation more generally.

663 replies and still the OP hasn't been back.

I wonder if this thread will feature in the Daily Mail later this week.

To quote Black Books, you can expect away!

Ha ha ha, is this a reverse? You’re taking the mickey. Even if I were willing to do this, I’d object to the way it is postioned and refuse on principle. If Sat aren’t in their contract then I think you should have offered people an incentive, double pay, trio days in lieu or whatever. And still made it optional. YABVVU

You are very unreasonable. I work in the week my weekends are precious. Weekends in December even more so, I often can’t fit in seeing friends.

I’ve just realised this will be a Saturday just before Christmas too! YABVU!!

I’d be telling you to where to stick it Tbf

Asking anyone to commit 10 months in advance is ridiculous, people with young children struggle to know what they are doing next week.

The OP's post is surely outing .I can't believe that many small businesses are currently talking to staff about an event in this way.
Perhaps that's partly why the OP hasn't returned?

I'd be looking for a new job. This sounds like a toxic work environment

‘it could bring a lot of extra business our way, ultimately benefiting them!’

How so? I think you can probably piss off.

Yup.

I was HoD in a secondary school. We got a new HT who insisted on being very prescriptive with regard to planning and prep time. He changed our working day in spite of our patient explanations as to why this was going to result in fewer extra-curricular activities for pupils.

Without consulting staff, he added a couple of Open Evenings to the school calendar. He was then shocked that none of the middle managers or classroom teachers volunteered to help on the Open Evenings.

He went ahead with the Open Evenings. Surprise, surprise...the lack of supervision meant that school equipment was stolen.