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?

Telling me that I have to attend = me not attending. I think that your approach is the issue here.

I don’t work weekends for a reason.

Asking for volunteers? Might have considered seeing as it’s so far in advance. Would potentially have said I could between certain hours.

After this email? There’s no way in hell. Avoid avoid avoid

You total pisstaker OP honestly give your head a wobble. Not contracted. Clues in the contract you divvy. Nit surprised they said no with the reply you have given- even if I were free it be a hard no just for you taking that shitty stance. Why don't you offer to pay them and see if anyone takes you up on it.

This is such an old school approach. As pp have mentioned, meetings, involvement, the right incentives and buy in are the modern way. I’m a pretty compliant employee but emailing me to demand one of my weekend days in December (I think we’re all assuming this month based on what you said, if it was November it might be different) when I’m likely to be ridiculously hungover, crazy busy with the kids or a combination of both just wouldn’t fly.

Giving notice doesn’t change the fact it’s one of the busiest times of year when there’s more ‘to do’s’ than available time. 10 months notice for a random wet weekend in February might be alright.

If it wasn’t my usual Saturday to work there’s no way I’d be leaving it free in the run up to Christmas especially if I was one of the employees who work alternate Saturdays….are you giving them another Saturday in December off in lieu? Or a random week day which is absolutely useless as the kids/family/friends are all at work/school so can’t actually do anything?

Is it an event that needs to take place near Christmas? There’s a possibility people would be more receptive if it was at a different time of year.

How charming 🤦‍♀️ How about not being so rough around the edges. A little decency perhaps?

I’d have a distant cousins wedding to attend. And put annual leave in for the Friday to avoid helping with the event in any way if I was feeling particular annoyed 😂

I think you could have handled it better!

what about…
a) all staff that work Saturdays are down to work at least some of the day and given 10 months notice of this (if it involves a longer shift they are paid extra and generously)
b) anyone else is asked to volunteer but offered choice of extra pay plus dsy off or two days in lieu so long as they commit now. (Time in lieu can be taken in school hols if needed to help those who have childcare issues on a Saturday) .
c) if still need more people then maybe offer option of half day (with tickets for family To join you for the other half of day?)

my company sponsored an event last year and we asked for just half a day shift at a time - but you could stay all day to enjoy the event, offered choice of time in lieu / over time and gave tickets for someone else to join you when you’d finished your shift (it was £25 per head to get in) and we were inundated with colleagues wanting to work.

Not a small ask in any way
You are the type of employer I would rather starve than work for
PAY your employees, this will invest in your success at the xmas fair or whatever, they owe you nothing, they pay your mortgage etc - Think about that and stop being such an entitled tyrant

Expecting massive reverse or back story ... wake me up

”Fuck off, please”

Hahaha. No

For some people like me with two children contracted Monday to Friday - it would be totally unreasonable - much better to ask and say ‘if you don’t normally work on Saturdays - we will give you a day and a half off in lieu to be taken over the Xmas holiday as extra paid leave’ or something to even imply or give me a reason. Volunteering does not pay the mortgage or pay for childcare - so totally unreasonable be it two weeks in advance or two years. It’s not a charity it is a business event

Va te faire foutre
pour toujours S'IL VOUS PLAIT!

Trying another language incase it's down to that

My mother’s old company were doing very poorly after a fire so all the staff banded together to work for zero/reduced wages till the company got on its feet again. But the loyalty ran both ways and the staff loved the big boss and he looked after them.

If I felt you were a loyal and kind boss then I’d have no problem in keeping that day free and making whatever arrangements I’d need to. I’d think a little more than a day off in lieu would be appreciated (my old company would give generous gift vouchers for example).

Low class but I guess you know that. Stay in your lane “lady”.

I needed to look at this for myself some years ago. Unless it's changed, weekend work must be in the employees' contract for you to make them cover the weekend. I worked in education and "occasional weekend work" was in my contract so that I could be expected to work an open day on a Saturday, which happened one or two Saturday's a year, and I wouldn't be expected to work all of them. If that isn't in their contracts, then you can ask them, but it's fine if they refuse.

You Should have sold it to people as an overtime opoortunity.

you should have said - Those who work Saturday are asked to attend. You’ll be paid 1.5 your usual rate. Those who don’t usually work Saturday - there’s an overtime opportunity at 1.5 times your usual rate. First 20 people will be accepted.

Still no response must not be a reverse then as I first thought.

You are being incredibly rude OP.
If people don’t work Saturdays you have absolutely no right to ‘expect’ them to be there.

Offering another day off as compensation is irrelevant if they dont want it. You seem OP to think this is a good deal for them, that the day off is more than they should expect.

You seem to think you have a right to dictate your needs to them over their rights.

Stop bullying people OP
Offer triple pay for the day and see if there are any takers
Apologise to your colleagues for your previous emails

I’m sorry how unfeminine and low class of me. Pointing that out was so charming, I can’t believe I never saw it before. No more naughty words for me!

It's the telling them thay I can't get over, if you'd asked nicely with an incentive you might've had some luck. Now I reckon it's likely too late.

Also not sure based on responses here whether OP will come back and respond here

No staff = No business !

Staff have lives too!
Can you tell me what your business is please? I wish to boycott it
You are beyond GREEDY
Tory more than likely

I have so many questions.
What kind of event
What would staff be expected to do
How many staff needed
There has to be an explanation as to why this approach was felt acceptable

If it were a reverse would they not be back by now?

Wow - when you were someone else’s employee, did you work in your spare time, for free? Pay them, or YABVU.