To think we shouldn't have to work the day before Christmas Eve?

[blinddoorshyt]

I work in a bathroom shop.
We are closed over Christmas and were lead to believe we broke up on the 22nd
Turns out now we don't
On the 23rd we have to travel to Manchester (3 hours each way ) to have a buffet and games with the company owner.
We have to listen to a presentation on how the company's done this year.
If we don't go we will have a day deducted from our salary.
It's the day before Christmas Eve and we have to drive to Manchester to have picky food with the owner and play Christmas games.
Aibu to think it's ridiculous?
And we have been repeatedly told if we don't go we won't get paid and it will halt any progression in the company !

Are you having to work hours outside of your normal ones?

As long as you're not having to travel in your own time unpaid, I would see that as a bit of a skive.

If the company's paying your travel expenses, I say suck it up buttercup.

It sounds completely reasonable for them to say if you don’t go you don’t get paid, that’s just common sense.

If a Friday is your normal working day then it's reasonable .
All expenses paid and home at your normal time would be fine in my opinion .

I wouldn't like this either. But the 23rd is a working day.

Well it’s up to you then. It’s a normal working day. If you think it’s unreasonable don’t go, they’ve given you that option. Some might say games, drinks and nibbles with the boss is an easy day, so you can either get paid for an easy day or not get paid and spend it doing what you want. I don’t think it’s unreasonable, although I would insist on getting the train and not driving.

It's the first year the company is over
We were told we break up on black eye Friday as all the traders are shut
Then now they have said they close on the Saturday but we have to go to Manchester on the Monday.

If it’s a normal working day for you, then of course you need to work as directed.

I don’t see how they can insist you drive though. Many people don’t. I would say I was getting the train and claim on expenses.

If you don’t want to go, take it as annual leave. The 23rd is just a normal work day in every business.

Three hours each way is a bit much, just for a jolly just before Christmas. So you leave at 9am, arrive midday. Leave at two, so your back at normal working time?

If it's a paid working day, it's a paid working day. I'd assume a bathroom shop would be open as normal on the 23rd?

I would love a day like that instead of working! I work in a hospital and only get a half days annual leave (on Christmas Eve) and am working over Christmas and New Year. So I don't have a huge amount of sympathy I'm afraid.

“Break up”? It’s not school anymore, you’re in the adult world of work.
Many companies still expect staff to work even on Christmas Eve (mine does, although only until lunchtime). 23rd is a normal working day for many people- yabu.

If it’s going there instead of a normal day at work, I think it’s fine. Everywhere I have worked the 23rd and 24th are just normal working days unless you take leave (we might leave early on the 24th or get some chocolate).

If you’re having to do unpaid overtime then I don’t think they can force you to do that. But aren’t you interested in how the company is doing.

As I said when the company opened
We were told we close black eye Friday
Also the days we are closed over Christmas come out of our holiday allowance

Well some of us are having to work Christmas Eve which precludes actually travelling to UK based family for Christmas Day/Boxing Day. Others will actually be on night shift Christmas Eve. Or working on Christmas Day.

So I think your expectation that the 23rd would be a holiday is bonkers.

What’s black eye Friday all about? Is this bathroom sales lingo?

If you're not expected to work outside your normal working hours I don't see what the issue is.

It's a normal working day on 23rd as others have said

Both the 23rd and the 24th are normal working days. I’d expect to work your standard hours on both.

If they’ve explicitly told you one thing and then changed it, that’s not on. Though I don’t know whether “lead to believe” means they actually said it or not.

23rd is a normal working day. As long as it’s in your working hours and not costing you, I don’t think there’s anything to complain about.

Yes, the 24th too of course.