Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
MiltonNorthern · 19/02/2024 10:42

YABU.
offer to pay overtime and you'll have people agreeing to work. Otherwise you can go whistle. How ridiculous.

Tenmus · 19/02/2024 10:43

Pay a retainer.

Fannyfiggs · 19/02/2024 10:43

You know you don't own the staff don't you?

So, unless you own a time machine and you work in a Victorian workhouse, you are being VERY UNREASONABLE.

Houseplanter · 19/02/2024 10:43

Struggling to understand how you managed to become a senior manager.

ManonDe · 19/02/2024 10:44

Yeah i was going to say about employee goodwill.

One of the best pieces of advice when I was working for a really toxic organisation who probably would have pulled a stunt like this (although never quite dared) was that you can sack your employer too.

Timeforachocolate · 19/02/2024 10:45

A day in lieu is great … being able to be off for a Sat wedding when normally have to work, or a child’s sports day.

In work, it is always about being able to be flexible both ways.

FucksSakeSusan · 19/02/2024 10:46

Either pay them to attend or be nicer to people who are willing to give their time for free.

imnotgoodenoughtobehere · 19/02/2024 10:46

If you offered to pay double time then I don’t see the problem. Those that could (don’t have children or other responsibilities) would work then if they could. I think it’s unreasonable to expect them to work that during December when people plan Christmas activities unless they already work that day, even with offering a day in lieu.

Crumpleton · 19/02/2024 10:47

While I'd of been happy to help out, as if asked 10 months in advance I would factor that in as 'it being planned' and make what arrangements are necessary but...the wording of your email would have me thinking CF's, no certainly not.

Wording is key, you can't demand what your workers do or don't do in their time off, and TBF just a day in lieu isn't worth giving up a Saturday for.

Suchagroovyguy · 19/02/2024 10:47

Absolutely insane.

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!

WinterLobelia · 19/02/2024 10:50

Yes after being burnt, used and taken for granted, overburdened, under paid etc too many times I am never going the extra mile for a job again. I will turn up and will work with professional integrity uppermost in my mind. But that is the extent of it.

TurnTheKey · 19/02/2024 10:50

Pay me double time and a day off in lieu otherwise it's a nope from me.

BeardyButton · 19/02/2024 10:52

Hard no from me. You pay me. I do job that I am contracted to do. If you want something outside that contract, you ask… you make it attractive for me (extra pay, two - not one - day off in lieu) and I might say yes. I say no - that’s respected.

Your ’it’s A small ask’ tells me all I need to know. The culture is probably - you’re lucky to have this job. there’s an air of entitlement that rankles me.

Think about this in reverse. An employee comes and asks for smt extra to their contract (starting late, extra pay etc). Instead of proving they deserve it or that they ll make up the times, they start talking about ‘what a small ask it is’. You don’t like it now do you?!

PowerhouseOfTheCell · 19/02/2024 10:52

Hahahahahahahahhaha. Not a chance

luckylavender · 19/02/2024 10:52

You're being totally unreasonable

WhatHaveIDoneNow · 19/02/2024 10:52

You are joking, right?

heldinadream · 19/02/2024 10:52

Houseplanter · 19/02/2024 10:43

Struggling to understand how you managed to become a senior manager.

Smacks of nepotism. OP thinks they're royal and people will be bending over backwards to help.
Uhhh - no.

DriftingDora · 19/02/2024 10:55

Er, I'd have told you to go forth and multiply. You can ask, but don't be surprised if the answer is 'no'. For one thing, I don't like the attitude of 'expecting them to keep the date free'.

Gherkins34565 · 19/02/2024 10:55

I am contracted to work Mon - Fri.
If my boss came to me and asked me to work a Saturday in Dec for a special event and offered to pay double time or normal time plus 1 day TOIL I'd probably sign up...
But if they went about it like you have I'd tell them where to stick it, and I'd be wary in future of going above & beyond now you'd shown your true colours and how much you think you can control your workforce.
Well done. Happy Bloody Christmas

Crunchymum · 19/02/2024 10:56

9 pages and OP hasn't been back?

I suspect we'll have a "poster has deregistered, we are closing the thread" message by lunchtime!

Justkeepswimmingswimming · 19/02/2024 10:56

Surely this is a troll or a reverse. No management can be this unaware. On seconds thoughts I have worked for some people with ridiculous expectations so maybe it is true.

DillDanding · 19/02/2024 10:56

You’ve handled it badly.

Ask for volunteers to commit to the day and pay them, or give them TOIL. I’d offer time and a half as it’s a Saturday.

There absolutely should not be an expectation that they attend otherwise.

dodojojo · 19/02/2024 10:56

I think you just need to make it enticing, either offer TOIL, or previously I have seen people offer a little bit of a party after the day with drinks and Dominos pizza ordered in for helpers

RecycleMePlease · 19/02/2024 10:57

Bloody hell OP - I think you're being entirely reasonable actually - I can see you might need to sweeten the pot, but 10 months notice, for one day, which they will get in lieu sounds fine to me.

You're not saying you own them, but you are saying this is of massive benefit to the business, of which they are part, and asking that they get involved?! Sure, some people won't be able to (I'm a single mum, so unless if fell on a contact day I would find it hard for instance)

Like going to the occasional trade-show and doing a shift on the stand, I don't mind at all, it's a bit of a change from the day to day, and I get an appreciated day off in the week to make up for it (and probably lunch/coffees/chance to chat with colleagues I don't normally speak to, plus others in the industry etc)

DriftingDora · 19/02/2024 11:00

Justkeepswimmingswimming · 19/02/2024 10:56

Surely this is a troll or a reverse. No management can be this unaware. On seconds thoughts I have worked for some people with ridiculous expectations so maybe it is true.

No management can be this unaware.

Oh yes, they can - sadly, this is par for the course. Some people in management don't see beyond the end of their nose.