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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:
beautifuldaytosavelives · 19/02/2024 21:44

What an absolutely epic fail. I suggest some motivational management training and team building, and also some good agency contacts for the Christmas period.

Notahotmess · 19/02/2024 21:50

FinFan24 · 19/02/2024 21:18

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

Show quote history

Would you like the smelling salts?

JustMeShoppingAgain · 19/02/2024 21:59

Head full of banging doors pet

PhoenixStarbeamer · 19/02/2024 22:09

My work do something similar every summer. I am not going. Not this year, not next year.

Whoopaday · 19/02/2024 22:13

Just checking back before the thread fills up to see if the @Newyeargrinch comes back to acknowledge their error…..

bert3400 · 19/02/2024 22:25

If it was my business, I would offer them two days in Lieu, as a thank you for taking time out of their weekend to help. As a business owner myself we compensate our staff very well ...if they go above their duties we make sure they a financially rewarded.

Thirstysue · 19/02/2024 22:35

Youre going to justifiably unpopular for then next ten months, and then some... Who wants to work at an event on a December Saturday even for TOIL? NO ONE! Offer your staff the option of working for double time if you're so sure this will bring you in new business.

mumto2teenagers · 19/02/2024 22:43

It seems you are not offering any incentive for your staff to work on their non-contractual days, had you offered overtime and TOIL then I think some people would be happy to work for the extra pay before Xmas.

TellMeWhoTheVillainsAre · 19/02/2024 22:45

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!

Have you told them they'll all be getting pay rises. I assume that's what you mean by the event ultimately benefiting them.

DIYnovices · 19/02/2024 22:48

A day of their choosing in lieu? Sounds good to me! Presumably the staff who have replied saying that childcare will be difficult or that they have plans already are ok to have the day off? Seems a bit ridiculous of those staff to say they might make plans… surely just say you’ve got plans if you think you might not be able to make it.

Angrywife · 19/02/2024 23:03

If you'd have asked for volunteers, I'd have probably been first to sign up if I had the day free.

If I was told to keep a day free that I'm not contracted to work, you'd be told to take a hike.

You'll catch more bees with honey than you will vinegar, piss your staff off and they'll do the absolute minimum for you. Your choice!

MsFogi · 19/02/2024 23:06

I would have to be offered an obscene amount of money as well as about 4/5 extra days annual leave in order to give up a Saturday, let alone a Saturday in the run up to Christmas.

BarbieDangerous · 19/02/2024 23:45

30 pages worth of comments in under 24 hours, yet the OP is nowhere to be seen. I hate shit like this😂 I’m clearly too invested for my own good

TakeTheBiscuits · 20/02/2024 00:07

If I work a Saturday in my job I get paid time and a half! There's no chance I'd be doing it for a day in lieu! And it's a voluntary thing. Like I do it because I want extra money.

LiesDoNotBecomeUs · 20/02/2024 00:15

😁😂It is important for you: '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.'

It is not important for your staff. (It will probably just lead to more work for them.)

Make it important with real incentives - ones that have them all demanding the right to work that day for you. They will then be keen to be present and do a good job.

IvorTheEngineDriver · 20/02/2024 00:51

Dancerprancer19 · 19/02/2024 09:02

I’m genuinely laughing at all the “absolutely not” responses…. So many sectors your responses would just make you look totally off your rockers….

Which is why the people who said "absolutely not" chose not to work in those sectors.

echt · 20/02/2024 00:54

While the OP, if they are genuine at all, has not returned, their Lady Bountiful attitude speaks volumes about how they essentially see the employer as doing the workers a favour. Also about how they know fuck all about managing staff, despite their seniority.

Or is it because of it?

Honeybunzz · 20/02/2024 01:06

Something tells me this is a beauty business/ beauty salon….it’s the only industry I’ve worked in where managers expect something for nothing and expect you to work outside of your contractual hours and expect staff to oblige.

Cheeky

PriOn1 · 20/02/2024 02:31

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!

In what way will it benefit them?

From experience, when businesses expand, the owners or senior managers usually bring in new staff, including managers who earn more than the original staff, with less experience of the business.

They then proceed to cut the wages of the original staff over time in order to increase profits for themselves.

If you want them to do something, make it worth their while and make it obvious how much you appreciate those going the extra mile.

Or you can carry on with your current plan and piss everyone off and lose your best staff to your competitors, then lose your clients/customers with them.

WandaWonder · 20/02/2024 02:35

BarbieDangerous · 19/02/2024 23:45

30 pages worth of comments in under 24 hours, yet the OP is nowhere to be seen. I hate shit like this😂 I’m clearly too invested for my own good

Edited

maybe the OP couldnt keep it up, wonder if the business was adult battery included items?

RLmadmum · 20/02/2024 02:47

Surely this has got to be a wind up?!

My response would be a two word answer; starting and ending with f.

DodgeDog · 20/02/2024 03:16

Firstly what does their contract say? If it outlines that a Saturday might be required, then fair doos, you are fine to book the date. Otherwise a day in lou is a poor swap as the employee misses out on time with family and friends for no real gain. Why not make it an attractive proposition? Two days in lou for everyone working that Saturday. See it as an investment in your staff moral and acknowledgement they are going over and beyond. After all their attendance will enable good publicity and increased company success.

lostonmars · 20/02/2024 03:30

YABU. If they don't work on Saturdays, they don't work on Saturdays. People have lives outside of work.

WickedWitchOfTheEast87 · 20/02/2024 03:35

OP you're a cheeky fucker demanding your staff give up their free time, it's not a small ask it's a bloody big ask and you didn't ask you told them they have to attend that event! I would have responded to your email by sending you my contract highlighted that I don't work Saturday's and you aren't entitled to my free time.

Your attitude is appalling, you've failed to grasp a simple fact whilst you're trying to benefit the business you forget that pissing off the staff who also do the work is not a wise move the business will suffer with a demanding manager like you because people aren't inclined to help people who act entitled especially managers with a bad attitude like yours

Wanttobefree2 · 20/02/2024 06:21

You know sometimes doing something that you don’t really want to do, but doing it to help the business you work for can really work in your favour when it’s time for pay rise and promotions. Are literally none of you looking to better yourself and at work and move up the career ladder, you all just to tell your employer to fuck off 😂