To think you shouldn't have to work in the office on Christmas Eve?

[oliverwe]

I work in an office environment. Some people work from home fully remotely, most people are in the office 3-4 days a week. My manager has decided that we must come in 5 days a week. That is minus him and other managers of course, who usually go to their country houses for long weekends.

My folk live in Cornwall and I'd like to go and see them for Christmas. It's about 6 hours on the train or driving.

Manager has told me he expects me in the office on Christmas Eve. I can't take annual leave as other people are. AIBU to think I shouldn't need to be in the office? I can and used to work from home so it's just grinch behaviour.

Exactly this. As I said, the OP is not winning any arguments for 'working from home' here.

I hate bosses like this too. Unable to allow their staff to work like mature adults. If you needed to be in the office then you’d go in without being told. He should trust you to do what’s needed.

Ours is manic we have absolutely no idea how busy OPs office is as she hasn't told us.

Ours is manic

I knew someone would say this!

I think it’s really mean for employers to have staff working from the office on Christmas Eve, especially if they can’t finish early. It makes it more difficult for those travelling and harder for those who have to prep Christmas dinner.

It’s even more unfair if the managers get to stay home.

I’m so lucky not to have that problem this year, our office closes for Christmas on the 20th and that’s my normal WFH day.

I think it feels very unfair especially if you’re prepared to drive the night before.
However, some industries can be really busy at this time so if this is a time where the company can make some money, I can understand them wanting people to work - but managers should also be working.

Being decent at this time of year reaps dividends!

I'm sure a LOT of people would. But we don't always get what we want to we?

What if everyone in every profession wanted to 'get gone' for Christmas.

Ludicrous post - really!

I think people deserve to be with their families on Christmas though?

if it’s the difference between being in the office on Christmas Eve and spending Christmas alone, or WFH on Christmas Eve and getting to be with family, I think you’d be a pretty heartless boss to opt for the former.

I don’t really understand this country’s obsession with working to the absolute bone. Most office jobs would be absolutely fine with Christmas Eve-Boxing Day closed. It should be the norm.

Of course they would, but I specifically asked about the average office.

Ours certainly was.

To all the people saying it’s no different from today why does the public transport schedule differ?

She's not in 'every profession' FFS. What nurses etc. have to do is not relevant to this office worker.

Must work at the North Pole in Santa’s HQ.

OP your boss sounds like a massive hypocrite. Has he confirmed whether he will be in the office on Christmas Eve. If he’s wfh you could point this out to HR and ask how to apply for the same flexible working

Exactly. While it's not a public holiday, it's also most definitely not 'just a normal day'.

😆😆😆

My office shuts on the 20th!

Or a normal business that has deadlines which must be met before the Christmas bank holidays.

I'm saying lots of people would like to 'GET GONE' for Christmas, but we can't all have what we want can we?!

.

Or a normal business that has deadlines which must be met before the Christmas bank holidays.

That doesn’t sound like a normal office business though…

So many grinches tonight ! If it's a regular office job and the manager is already at home roasting his chestnuts its sooo miserable to insist on staff being in the office..... get a new job op.

Alright Ebenezer.

Do you not have the imagination to realise that some places and services are really busy on Christmas Eve?

RTFT.

And I'm saying so what? It's not relevant.

Exactly. The ignorance from some on this thread is outstanding. Makes me wonder if they actually work at all.