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?

I'd like the thread to hit 1000 telling the OP what an entitled fecking eejit she is.

I think, in essence, I think it means ‘suck it up, peasant, your opinion matters not’

Wow. They were really polite.

I would have told you to get stuffed.

Offer an incentive - Triple time. Especially if you think it's going to he good for business...unless you're just being presumptious. If the community find out how you treat your staff, I would encourage them to boycott your business.

No you got their backs up with your entitled attitude, while it seems most would have supported through goodwill initially.

Those not contracted to work can do what they want on their day off, whether it’s this week or next year.

I wouldn't be working on my day off at the weekend, you sound like something from a Charles Dickens novel. You planned the event its your problem. I only get one day a week where we are all off together. Why don't you run it in the week and ask the staff rostered on to work it. What do you expect people to do with dependents while they are "Volunteering ". Fuck that shit!

You should have planned ahead with a rota. Firstly asked for volunteers with some kind of added incentive for giving up a Saturday, as a bit of a 'thank you'. If not enough volunteers, then you should have thought about whether it's something you can actually accommodate before committing. Alternative is agency staff?? You've got your staffs backs up with this approach, and who can blame them.

The extra business ultimately benefits you, unless staff are given a share of the profits?

I would say your biggest downfall was offering time in lieu, it’s not an incentive to give up a Saturday before Christmas. I would reoffer, offering pay to those who won’t be contracted to work a day.s pay or time in lieu whichever they prefer. Say you need a commitment for anyone that wants io do it by x date as you’ll need to employ agency staff to fill the gaps.

It's not OK here, either. I don't think a company can be fined for asking, but the employee doesn't need to agree to the extra hours.

My old job used to make me do this. Hence why it is my old job.

YOO-HOO, Newyeargrinch! Where aaaaare you!

OP you are having a laugh. My Rest Days are MINE. You cannot compel me to work them. If you want me to work, incentivise me. Pay me overtime, and if it suits me, I will take you up on it. Guarantee a specific high value day off in lieu, whatever it is. Working a Saturday is not the same as a Monday-Friday especially if you have children.

YOU have 10 months to prepare. Request volunteers on TOIL basis if you want, but first thing I would be offering is overtime at a 25%-50% uplift, or 1.25-1.5 TOIL. See what people do. Surely you know your workers and who would be interested?

I appreciate that you need a commitment from people, but you then have to incentivise them to provide that commitment, not just “I’ll give you another random day off instead”- no, <my friends go out on Saturday > <i play hockey > <my children need looking after > whatever it is. Weekends are high value days. You want people to work weekends, pay to reflect the value.

Ha. Well, I can respect that. Though I don’t think OP’s ever coming back. Although, it would be great if she comes back at comment 990 and says, “Thanks. This was a reverse” and that’s it (I always suspected because why would the boss call themselves “Newyeargrinch.”) Oh god, the rage, and only 10 comments to express it in.

Does their contract say that occasional Saturday/weekend work can be expected? If so, then what you've said is fine. If not, then the company has already said they don't need to work Saturdays. This would mean that you can ask them, but you need to make it very clear that they don't NEED to work, because legally they don't, and there will be no consequences for them not working, because it's fine they don't work. You can't change the expectations for the job without warning and expect your employees to be ok with it. You're on rocky ground if this is what you have done - go back on it before you have a team who hate you and a legal mess.

How many staff do you employ? it sounds like you have plenty. And how many staff do you need? Some will be happy to make themselves available. Some won't.
You can ask for volunteers. You should get enough interest. If you show goodwill and give people the option you're likely to get a more positive response.

Enjoying all the frothing on her thread I think 😃

I think, in essence, I think it means ‘suck it up, peasant, your opinion matters not’

Ha! Indeed.

Like far too many MN threads, I imagine that the main reason the OP has not returned is because of the foul language and ridicule to which she has been subjected.

If an incentive was put to staff then that maybe help. Maybe a day off in lieu if worked the Saturday.

Lol, OP, is this a reverse?

If not, you're taking the Michael.

I think the wording of your email is quite harsh. You expect!!!

A more friendly approach may have received a more favourable reaction.
As has been mentioned, a request for volunteers initially with a bonus option may have been a better carrot.

Oh come on - dial it down a touch. The type of person who’s thick-skinned enough to tell their staff to keep a Saturday just before Christmas free because she needs bodies at an event and then get in a strop when they don’t fancy it isn’t going to clutch their pearls over “foul language”.

There are two possible reasons why she hasn’t come back. 1) The whole thing is fiction intended to wind people up. 2) It’s real and she’s in a strop that hardly anyone has sided with her.

The real question is who are the 11% of respondents who think the OP isn't being unreasonable??

Like far too many MN threads, I imagine that the main reason the OP has not returned is because of the foul language and ridicule to which she has been subjected

If the OP is a manager or even, like, real they'd have encountered strong language before now.

Also, if you can't take ridicule, don't post on AIBU, ya nong.