Would you request a day in lieu in these circumstances?

[MiamiWindMachine]

I started a new job with a company based in central Europe a few months ago. I’m one of only a handful of UK-based employees.

I’ve been asked to go to a team building event in the head office country - basically a jolly at a beach resort a few hours from the capital. I’m flying there direct from the UK rather than travelling to the office, but there was no flight back on the Saturday when everyone else is leaving. I could have travelled with my colleagues back to the capital, but due to the length of the journey, it would be touch and go if I made the flight. I looked into it and discovered there was a flight on Sunday, so I agreed with the finance team that I could have an extra night in the hotel and get that flight.

A couple of friends have asked me if I’ll get a day in lieu given I’ll be spending a non-working day there - well, more than a day when you take into account travel on the Sunday. Usually I would always request a day in lieu if I had to be at a work event on a Saturday. However, it feels a bit like I’m taking the piss given that I’m not exactly going to be down the salt mines - I’ll be having a day to myself at a nice hotel by the beach, and they’ve already agreed to pay for the extra night. On the other hand, the only feasible alternative was a VERY late night flight on the Saturday from the capital, which would have meant a minimum of a four hour journey followed by several hours of waiting, and then landing in the early hours and having to find my way home. The company agreed that this wasn’t a feasible option.

What would you do? I’m entitled on paper to the day in lieu, but does it look a bit shit to ask for it when I’m already getting a good deal?

Personally I wouldn't unless you are spending that day working. It looks grabby

I don't think I would in your situation.

Under these circs when they have been flexi wouldn’t ask for a day in lieu

Nope

If I asked for a day in lieu I’d expect to spend that additional day you’re away for working on something.

I wouldn't.

No

No. If you’d done the Saturday late night flight option then of course but they’ve basically agreed to you having a night away (for leisure) at their expense…Assuming they’re paying for the Sunday flight.

I travel for work a lot (and to nice holiday destination places as I work in the travel industry). I never claim back any time off I get in destination, as long as it genuinely is time off. I see it that a day exploring somewhere nice or sat by a pool at a nice hotel at the company's expense is reward enough!

I would see the day in lieu as the hotel cost. It wouldn't personally cost me any extra to be there as I don't have childcare costs and I would see it as a massive perk. Certainly wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth or they won't do it next time and you'll be on that horrible flight.

I would also take the cost of the extra night in the hotel as effectively 'paying you back' for the time. As long as you're not going to do any work & it is a leisure day.

I think your thoughts are correct on this OP.

No I wouldn't.

Nope. Flexibility goes both ways. I'd not claim in lieu but nor would I clock watch if I needed to go to sports day.

I would claim the Saturday but not the Sunday if they are paying for the hotel and food for your extra day.

No

They are paying for you to have a day trip essentially

Fine by me!

I think your friends are jealous and stirring things imo.

No!

Absolutely not. As your employer, I'd see it as "I've put on a lovely jolly to a great location, AND I'm putting you up for free so you get an extra day there to yourself, but you've now got the gall to ask for a day off work as well?!?!" Sounds ungrateful and grabby.

Nope, I would not.

I would enjoy my extra day, though

No, I wouldn’t. I’d take the extra hotel night as my reward.

No. It was your choice and to your benefit to stay until the Sunday and it's already incurred extra expense for the company which they've kindly agreed to pay.

It would be different if you'd finished the work event in the Saturday but they chose not to / couldn't book you a flight until Sunday and so you had to stay on an extra day whether you wanted to or not.

I would see the cost of the hotel as adequate compensation

You're not spending that day working (or travelling for work) so no, I don't think it's right to ask for a day in lieu.

Travelled a lot for work- and I mean a lot . Over 20 years.

so, a tricky one. It is their choice to hold this event in this place vs head office in capital making your journey more difficult. they have a responsisibity to get you home safely. As management have already agreed a lone female arriving in uk in early hours of Sunday morning, is not sensible, and stressful if flights are cancelled. (Seems odd that a flight form capital in a European country gets into uk in early hours, usually most flights stop at night🤷🏼‍♀️, but I’ll take you at face value). So, as long as you are getting the earliest flight out on Sunday morning then that’s the only time you can get back home reasonanably and safely.

that is both your Friday night, Saturday and Sunday shot to pieces. And as it stands you have to work on Monday ? Personally travelling back on Sunday is no holiday …there is no down time whole day in entire weekend …you’ll be working Friday night (even if on jolly with coworkers), Saturday (even after they’ve gone you’re not getting a full days down time) and Sunday while you travel home (agian no full days downtime with no stress). Which messes up every single bit of your normal personal time

also, is this a place you’d have chosen to go to? If not, it is not a “reward”. It a work demand for you to attend.

first check your contract- does it say about working at weekends and travel in your own time? If it does then you’ve probably got to suck it up, but that’s a shit contract I’d be getting out of soon as it’s so open to abuse.

if contract says nothing about having to work or travel at weekends then these would be options I’d think are reasonable :

1. I would at very least, make a strong point that you’ll be “banking good will” by not taking some time in lieu at this stage. Early in your career it is very worthwhile to bank this and show you are flexible. But do NOT let it go unmarked. Make the point simply and lightly to your manager.
2. another alternative is to say to your manager that since your weekend is being completely disrupted by Saturday work time and Sunday travel you will work (“wfh”) during Saturday and Sunday when not travelling and after everyone else left, and then take your weekend 2 days later the following week. Make sure you clear this, take your pc etc and really show that you’ve done that work. This was my main go to alternative- work through weekend then take weekend later.
3. if working form the hotel is not possible, then I would (if you don’t want to bank good will) go to manager and explain and ask what company states your options are. Do not start spouting it is a jolly (work dos rarely are and are often hard work as no downtime at all), or that the location is lovely. For all they know you’re like me, introverted and hating beach and staying in hotels- bugger that - I want to be at home, relaxing, getting away from work people and spending time with friends of my own choosing or places I want to visit.
4. or don’t go at all…say you can’t travel over weekend. That might of course piss them off, but really? Why the hell are they asking everyone to break into their weekend on Saturday just because they like the resort? maybe if enough people had balls to say “no, I shan’t be doing that, I’ll leave on the Friday” theyd bloody stop it. 🤷🏼‍♀️🙄🤣

make no mistake, if company considers this a value add exercise, you are doing them the favour by even staying Saturday (if your contract doesn’t stipulate weekend working). You will get no medals or awards from doing this. The more you do it, the more they’ll expect it. Fine , if the flexibility works both ways and you can take time off, no quibbles, as in lieu time when you need it too.

So, pretty unanimous then! This is pretty much how I've been feeling - although as @Dartwarblerpoints out, as much as it’s a nice trip, it still wasn’t my choice to go, and they do have a responsibility to get me (and everyone) back safely. The extra day isn’t a treat - it’s down to the lack of feasible alternatives.

However, given that it’s hardly a hardship, I’m not going to ask for the day in lieu.