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?

On the very principle of being demanded to keep the day free, I would ensure I was otherwise engaged.

I see OP has probably read the messages and decided against putting his/her head above the parapet again...

What is this obsession with ladders, career or property, there is life and work without climbing a career ladder

Not everyone wants to look back on their life and go 'I really wished I worked more'

Now chips on shoulders that happens a lot on here

All of this

No chance... 10 months notice would make absolutely no difference to me for something I didn't want to do and working on a typically non working day is high up that list!!

It's a job, I'm not giving up my free time and time with family for it so will see you between my working hours. Reasonable additional working hours are usually contracted, this is not reasonable.

Also who gives a shit about more business? Most employees don't see the benefit and it just lines the pockets of the top %

Like you said, it is ten month ahead, you have plenty of time to plan, roster them to work or hire temp. workers for that day. Instead you expect volunteers, YABU!!

What is this obsession with ladders, career or property, there is life and work without climbing a career ladder

For some people this is important though and is the lens they are viewing a request like this through. And that's okay......
Just like it's okay not to want to progress in your career.

For me personally, being asked to work a Saturday (or an evening, overnight or travel) is not something I would get worked up about. It wouldn't be a big deal and certainly isn't worthy of some of the outraged responses I've seen on this thread!
If I'm free and can make it work with childcare then I'll say yes. I'm happy to go above and beyond because I love my job and it's served me well in terms of promotions and reciprocal flexibility.

I agree that the OP hasn't handled it well though, and I've said that from the beginning.

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!

How will it ultimately benefit them? Is there some sort of profit share in place?

Employers should be basing promotions and pay rises on performance in their contracted job.

And actually if it came to employing someone on a managerial role, employing the person who proved to be a massive walk over as opposed to someone who is happy to say no when needed would be silly.

Agreeing to work additional hours or be flexible doesn't make you a walkover.

I'd rather promote someone was willing to be flexible than someone who told me to fuck off for requesting a Saturday 10 months in advance.

I quite like my job. If they told me I had to work for free on a Saturday in December there is absolutely no way I would

Feeling obliged to work a Saturday on a Mon-Fri contract absolutely does. The people that do this generally lack boundaries and struggle to say no to people. They are more likely allow staff to leave early regularly or under perform.

Being able to politely tell people to fuck off can be a decent quality.

Feeling obliged to work a Saturday on a Mon-Fri contract absolutely does. The people that do this generally lack boundaries and struggle to say no to people. They are more likely allow staff to leave early regularly or under perform.

I think we'll just have to agree to disagree on this.
When I ask my team to work a weekend or evening they know that I will be there AND that I have done their job and worked the hours and events I'm asking them to do. I'm not asking them to do anything I haven't done or aren't willing to do. I'm leading with authenticity.

So what though? Just because you’ve done it means nothing. Doesn’t mean anyone else wants to or has to.

It would make zero difference to me that you’ve done it.

So what though? Just because you’ve done it means nothing. Doesn’t mean anyone else wants to or has to.

It would make zero difference to me that you’ve done it.

And that's fine..... but I know my team appreciate it because they've told me and I know for a fact it has contributed to my career progression.

But that means nothing. Can you politely tell them no? Do you allow a staff member to under perform? Leave early regularly? Allow customers to steal if you feel sorry for them? Alot of people who cannot say no would.

I doubt staff members feel it is admirable. There's more in it for you. Bigger wages, looks better on you. A decent employer doesn't rely on favours from employees. The organise staff contracts to cover business need.

You're also overlooking a lot of talent from people who do the job their paid to do but cannot give their whole lives due to responsibilities outside of work.

And that's fine..... but I know my team appreciate it because they've told me

Mmmhmmmm....

But that means nothing. Can you politely tell them no?
Yes

Do you allow a staff member to under perform?
No, we have a very clear PDR process. We have used this to tackle underperformance of required but we're a high performing team.

Leave early regularly?
We have a flexitime policy which staff follow.

Allow customers to steal if you feel sorry for them?
I work at a university so......

Alot of people who cannot say no would.

And? Do you really believe everyone who is willing to work flexibly is a walkover? Because that's really not true.

I doubt staff members feel it is admirable. There's more in it for you. Bigger wages, looks better on you. A decent employer doesn't rely on favours from employees. The organise staff contracts to cover business need.

Somebody needs to tell the university sector this then because if it didn't rely on favours then I guarantee your children's experience of university would be very different.

You're also overlooking a lot of talent from people who do the job they're paid to do but cannot give their whole lives due to responsibilities outside of work.

Goodness, the drama!
One Saturday is now 'giving your whole life'
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Employers, if you need staff to attend something on your company’s behalf or for its benefit, you pay them.

it’s really very simple.

I know, a team that gets on well and enjoys working together.
It's great isn't it?!

Well, it might be. I don't rule out the possibility that at least some of the team members who've told you how much they respect the fact that you work at weekends too are telling the truth.

But them having told you that is meaningless, and you assuming that your subordinates are telling you the truth isn't great no. The test would be what they had to say about it in a situation where they can speak without repercussions, not what you've chosen to believe. Wonder if any of them are on this thread?