to expect employee to be flexible and attend team event on a day they are usually off?

[traintocatch]

We have an employee who recently reduced hours and chose to have a whole day off during the week -Tuesdays (working week is Mon-Fri). Before approving this, we agreed they would work on Tuesdays as and when required for project delivery so not 100% set in stone. Since they started this pattern we happened to organise team events with external facilitators and 2 of these events were held on Tuesdays. Whilst not critical that they attend, it would be important for their development, their understanding of company culture as well as team morale and really showing that are willing to integrate. We cannot always choose days to suit them. They declined to attend on both occasions and wondered what would be reasonable to expect? I know I would attend and take the day off another time that week?

It depends why they've reduced their hours. If they don't have childcare on a Tuesday for example and that's why they can't come in then there isn't much they can do about that. Or they have something else going on on their days off that they can't rearrange.

It depends why they've reduced their hours. If they don't have childcare on a Tuesday for example and that's why they can't come in then there isn't much they can do about that. Or they have something else going on on their days off that they can't rearrange.

Would you be paying them to attend?

no, they can take the day off another day.

Nothing would be reasonable. It’s their non working day and you need to respect that.

I say that as someone who works a 4 day week in an industry which is client focused and therefore accept that for my salary, there are times I need to work on my non working day. It is very much the exception rather than the norm. Genuinely surprised you’re even asking.

children are in school until 3.30

If it's not critical to attend then I don't see the problem.

They are probably prioritising family time over employment so as to have a better work/life balance.

It's also good for the company if there is a good work/life balance practiced. Studies have shown people to be more productive this way.

It's a non working day, why should they work. I couldn't work on my non working day unless my 1 year old came along to, as we don't have childcare that day.

Maybe the Tuesday was selected for childcare / caring responsibilities and it’s very difficult for them to arrange other cover.

However , if they agreed they would work as and when required it seems odd they haven’t agreed to even one of the 2 days so far

Are they aware if they work the Tuesday they can take another day off that week instead ?

I wouldn't expect. I give the option and in my experience colleagues will rearrange their days off for things which are a) critical and b) at their own discretion. From their perspective you continually booking training sessions on their regular day off could appear quite disrespectful.

I think you can ask them and offer an alternative day off but if they say no thanks or can't do it, that should be the end of it.

we are all for work life balance - we offer everything around work-life balance. Just feel that although we are always flexible, they haven't gone the extra mile and made themselves available on the 2 days that matter for the team.

I have a class on my non-working day, so I wouldn't be able to attend unless it was absolutely critical and a one off. Two team events being organised for that day doesn't cover that I'm afraid.

Whilst not critical that they attend, it would be important for their development, their understanding of company culture as well as team morale and really showing that are willing to integrate.

Jeez, I'd avoid one of those days if I could too!

Even if they were super clear they could swap for another day off, YABVVVVVU.

It's not a working day, you don't own them.

Employees don't have to go an extra mile.

They only have to do the bare minimum of work expected.

So they would need to reorganise childcare for that day, which is not always possible. If they have a contract with a child minder then it may not be possible.

I think the best you can do is give them as much warning as possible - a couple of months at least and ask them to try their best.

Unless there are specific reasons they chose Tuesday (eg to attend a non-work related course, caring responsibilities, volunteering etc), I tend to agree with you that a little more flexibility would be a good thing, assuming it goes both ways, which it sounds like you do. Also, I'm assuming these sort of events aren't last minute but planned far in advance?

Ther'es not a lot you can do about it, but it does rather sound like this person isn't itnerested in more.

It really depends on how it was worded when you agreed the day off. Was it in writing (contractual) that flexibility would be expected? Or have you agreed their request for Tuesday off in writing specifically and then verbally said they should be expected to come in if required? Or are days not specified in their contract and just show that they have reduced hours from 37.7 to 30 (for example). I think this is key. You can argue til the cows come home abou twhat you would do, or what is the done thing or what is mopre professional - what has been formally agreed?

childcare not an issue, kids are in secondary school

If your company started arranging courses at the weekend that were not critical for attendance would you give up your weekend to attend? I certainly wouldn't and I can't see the difference to what you are expecting this employee to do

Before approving this, we agreed they would work on Tuesdays as and when required for project delivery so not 100% set in stone.

I wouldn't see a team event as necessary for project delivery, so I don't think that's reasonable.

we are all for work life balance - we offer everything around work-life balance. Just feel that although we are always flexible, they haven't gone the extra mile and made themselves available on the 2 days that matter for the team.

Fuck right off with that one. Nobody is paid to go the extra mile. They are paid to do their jobs. You are clearly not for work-life balance if you don't think it applies when you decide.

I call reverse OR you must be linkedin lunatic famous

I don't think they are unreasonable for declining to come to events you have organised on their day off.

They are working the hours and days agreed.

yes, first one they had 2 months notice but only notified they wouldn't attend the day before...