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 !

Maybe they meant they close the store on the Friday, which seems to be the case.

How old are you?

There are three bank holidays (Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day).

Anything else is a normal working day, and if you get extra days off that’s at the discretion of your employer.

What's 'black eye friday' just out of interest?

Its a normal work day, this is just the 'task' you have been assigned for that day. At my work we work right up to christmas like most places, I've taken christmas eve as annual leave though which is what you could do here? If you don't want to do that I would got but get the train so you're not driving all that way twice.

Of course those days come out of your holiday allowance! That’s normal. Surely the company is open on Christmas Eve as well - that’s a normal working day too?

We've had a similar post recently - someone wanting to leave early on christmas eve. I wonder why such posters bother to work, they clearly don't want to , or want to get away with being there as little as possible, despite being paid to work.
the choice is yours - lose a day's pay or do the job you are paid to do.
But don't expect employers to be flexible in relation to your future foibles

It’s the Friday before Christmas. Popular for parties, busy for emergency services, hence “black eye” (presumably also a play on Black Friday). Not a widely used term I think, I used to work in an emergency service which referred to it!

Where are you normally based? The roads might start getting busy then. If you're in Stoke it's probably fine, but Norwich I'd be pissed off

Did you get confirmation in writing that the 23rd onwards would be leave? Or is it in your contract? Most companies can cancel authorised leave but they have to have a decent reason/ do it with specific notice.

Led to believe could just be that someone had the wrong end of the stick/ company policy has changed.

And yes, what the hell is black eye Friday, is it something to do with people beating each other up on a busy shopping day.

Never worked anywhere the office has closed the Friday before Christmas. What if Christmas was the next Friday, a full week off for… why?

And yes if you’ve booked something you’re desperate to do, surely you can just take the day off.

Why doesn't the owner come to where you all are rather than a whole bunch of folk having to travel???

@DrinkFeckArseBrick between Morpeth and Newcastle upon Tyne

I guess "black eye Friday" is another name for "Mad Friday" as some people call it. The last working day before Xmas for many people, often people finish early and go out drinking straight after work/have work drinks in the office.

@TimeForTeaAndG they pick a central location as they have shops all over the uk

@RoseQuail I live between Morpeth /newcastle so it's around 3 hours each way

Off the topic, but interesting to see what people in different areas call the last Friday before Xmas.

Here it's Factory Friday 🤣

@CyranoDeBergerQuack big difference between being at work and having to drive 6 hours the day before Christmas Eve

The shop being open would of been fine
It's travelling to Manchester
Event starts at 9 am and finishes 6 pm
So won't be home till 9pm at night

Break up? Are you 5 years old.

Pretty mean of your company to provide a day off from working with a free lunch.

It's a normal working day, so you should be working.

However having to travel all that way is total nonsense and I'd be making a serious stink about it. Are folk from shops in Scotland, Cornwall, Kent etc all expected to go too? Are they being paid hourly for the whole time they're away including food and travel expenses?

The sensible thing would be something like you either come to the fun day or you're in the store tidying, mopping, organising etc. and still getting paid for it

Can you Take it as annual leave?