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?

You can't expect people to keep a day free if not contracted to work then. What you describe as "reasons why they couldn't work" may be perfectly valid - you are not to know or able to judge. A day off in lieu instead of a Saturday will not necessarily solve the problem.
It's very nice of staff to say that if free they'd be happy to help but that depends on goodwill and as others have said you may now have lost that. If they were in a Union I can guess what a union rep would say!
I hope all the replies have been helpful. Maybe a little management training wouldn't come amiss?

If it's not in their contract, that they will have to give up a day off for events planned without sorting out the staffing beforehand, then you can't force them to do it!

On a voluntary base ánd with a nice extra compensation? Yes. But telling people to turn up or else.....a big no.

Over 850 responses and the OP is nowhere to be found.

Can I ask you why this is bothering you so much?
You seem determined to unpick every word I have typed to try and trip me up which is ......odd.

I have said that people I directly line mange have told me they appreciate that I also work the unsociable hours I ask them to work. Yes, they might be lying but this is was unsolicited feedback so not sure why they'd volunteer that information as I've never asked. That coupled with positive quality of working life surveys and other sources of feedback mean I'm as confident as I can be that we're a happy team ..... is everything perfect? No but we try our best.

As you seem so interested in the power dynamics better me and my team and who i am asking to work on Saturdays I pointed out that not all those people are in my team and in fact some of them are on my pay grade or above. It just happens to be my job to coordinate that aspect of our work.
I don't use the word subordinate to describe anyone I work with as I find it disrespectful.
They're my colleagues.

There doesn't need to be many people at a Christmas Fair to represent your company. The big cheese to draw the raffle and say a few words about their business and how proud they are to sponsor the event. A couple of people wandering around giving out leaflets and some chocolate coins/sweets. Maybe a couple of people on promotional stall.
People are there to take their children to see Santa (and generally get fleeced), buy a few last minute gifts and probably drink a glass of mulled wine (or three).
The presence can be made up of senior management and their family members because let's face it Christmas is a time for your own family.

Yeah, that would massively piss me off if it's not my contracted day. If I was asked nicely and felt like I had a choice, I'd be more likely to consider it. If I feel like it's expected of me, then you'd be getting a no

I'm replying to a post I found interesting on a discussion board. You don't need and won't be getting any more explanation than that. I've no interest in whether you find people replying to you odd, albeit it's a bit funny given the number of posts you've made on the thread so far.

Anyway, I'm afraid I don't believe this drip feed that not all the people you're talking about are below you. If that were the case you'd have said it earlier. You'd also have told us about it being unsolicited earlier, rather than bringing up all the stuff about the organisation's work seeking feedback from colleagues.

You are of course free to use whatever terms for your subordinates you wish, that's your call, but that is a separate issue to whether they actually are your subordinates. And you telling us what they think simply doesn't mean much.

Even if I was free I wouldn’t come.

It’s totally unacceptable to tell employees what they are ‘expected’ to do on their day off

@OrangeMarmaladeOnToast but you're doing more than just posting on a thread that interests you.

You're specifically picking on one person's comments in the hope of what? Calling me a liar, a shit manger?

I've simply told it how it is. There is no drip feed.

I'm not sure what you're hoping to get from this exchange?

*manager

I didn't call you a shit manager no. Odd assumption. Whether a person happens to have a blind spot on a particular point and engages in a bit of internet bullshitting isn't nearly enough info to assess that, even if I wanted to. For clarity, I'm also not interested in discussing any of the things you apparently don't understand about why I'm posting. Only about the claims you've made about the feelings of your team, the people you're leading.

“ Expecting “ staff to keep an unpaid weekend day free to promote and benefit your business on the possibility that they might get time in lieu ( presumably at a time that suits you) is ludicrous. It’s lovely of they chose to do it - but you don’t own them and are massively out of line / offensive the way you went about it. On simple principle that would make me decry- even if I supported the charity or cause!!! Learn some management skills and diplomacy.

Resend the email.

Ask for volunteers.

State its first come first serve as you appreciate them giving up their time they'll get 2 days in lieu for working this non usual working day.

But as far as "I don't know what I'm doing yet" that's a very annoying response to "are you free on Saturday" or whenever in general lately.

I've let many friendships go because people wouldn't commit an would wait for a better offer.

didn't call you a shit manager no. Odd assumption.
I didn't say you did.

Whether a person happens to have a blind spot on a particular point and engages in a bit of internet bullshitting isn't nearly enough info to assess that, even if I wanted to. For clarity, I'm also not interested in discussing any of the things you apparently don't understand about why I'm posting.
Yet here you are........ repeatedly questioning and pulling apart my posts.

Only about the claims you've made about the feelings of your team, the people you're leading.

Why do you care though? You either believe me or you don't. Why does this bother you so much?

I've repeatedly stated that I respect my team.
I respect their feedback in any form that they choose to communicate it.

I'm not a mind reader and I'm sure there are things they grumble about when I'm not there, that's perfectly normal. However, I can only go on the information I have, the mood of the office/team and their performance.

'Ultimately benefitting them' how? Keeping the job they have already? Jolly good. More likely extra profit and kudos for management, not a square deal.

I mean I’m a teacher so I have a slightly different viewpoint. I have and am expected to attend certain events outside of school time. So to me it’s not unreasonable however, it’s in my contract and if you have a legit reason you can’t then that’s ok x

When I was younger and less personal and family commitments I would have said yes automatically so may have been best idea to ask for volunteers first. Now I'm older and have so much to juggle outside of work then it would be maybe if I could get others to help me look after those who need me, which is difficult. Then actually reading the date so close to Christmas and all the extra, extra and then extra stuff it would be a no way can I keep this day free!

No matter how committed you can be to a job we do have, often more important, stressful and necessary things going on in our own lives.

I used to put my job first, all fine when I could, now no. Xx

Oh to add these occasions in teaching were unpaid, no time off in lieu, it was to help, which I always did. Evenings, weekends, not any more though. Xx

I don't think you are being unreasonable & 10 months is a lot of notice. Maybe a different approach to the day would have been better though judging by some of the responses!

Ignoring the policing and whatnot, the last sentence here is the interesting one. It gets us back to the issue of the barriers to people being able to speak freely, when they're discussing things that are being expected of them in the workplace. The existence of those barriers is in fact part of the information we have, and acknowledging that you aren't necessarily in a position to remove them is part of the respect you mention. For those of us who are interested in workplace relations, this is important.

This is joke, right?! The sheer entitlement is ridiculous. You don't own your staff and they have no obligation to help you out.
If you want them to work, ask who would like to be available and pay them the appropriate overtime penalties.
Had I received this demand from my employer, I would have been unavailable on principle.

Nooooo. People who don't work Saturdays don't work Saturdays. You could try an incentive, double pay, time and a half back but it would have time be amazing to make me give up a Saturday.

Offer time off in lieu instead of payment. If it brings more work in, it means more profits surely so well worth giving staff an incentive.

I am so incredibly grateful that I don’t work for you. That’s an utterly unreasonable ask.