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 !

I'd just take the day off unpaid. If they're not paying travel anyway then it's probably less to lose a days pay than to work/drive an extra six hours for free and have to pay the petrol.

I'd suggest they put on a minibus for everyone and if they didn't I'd just take it unpaid

Pull a sicky. Do the day before as well to make it more believeable.

Loads of people have to work Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day in much harder jobs. So I wouldn't be bothered at all at having to work the day
'before' xmas eve.

Unless things have changed bank holidays can either be part of your allowance or be on top of that.

I’m in New Zealand so different country but basically 23rd and 24th are normal work days and if we want them off (I do) we have to take annual leave. Also if my department was closed at any time over Xmas (a long time ago my community based team was not operating during Xmas or new year week) we had to take annual leave. A bit annoying to have to have a massive round trip to Manchester if you thought you were getting the day off (and not having to use your annual leave).

I can't understand how they'd be able to NOT pay you travel expenses and overtime and give you any additional time spent in lieu.

I've worked for Companies that expect you to be there on Christmas Eve - at least in the morning. This was fully paid and often they paid for you to have a taxi home to wherever you lived.

It strikes me that losing a day's pay for not attending would be cheaper than the cost of actually going!

Yes YABU

How do your colleagues feel about this? If everyone refused to go unless they shorten the working day and pay your travel expenses, the company would have to back down.

Tell your employer you've taken advice from ACAS and what they are proposing isn't legal.

I wouldn't want to work for this sort of joke shop and suggest you look for another job if possible.

It's quite normal to work Christmas Eve and obviously the day before is a normal working day. I wouldn't drive to Manchester though- if they want you to go then book the train and expense it, if the boss wants you there he'll agree. 6 hours of driving just before your Christmas break is not really acceptable- but you can't really refuse because it's an ordinary working day.

@blinddoorshyt welcome to the world of work. As part of your employment, you are expected to attend company events. They are paying you for the day, therefore they can ask you to do anything they see as necessary to fulfil that role. It's an end of year event, with a presentation on the years performance. They may be seeking to show you next year's business plan, what needs to happen with sales, changes for the new year. It is clear you normally don't travel, you are very fortunate, that doesn't mean that you should expect to never travel. They've also offered you compensation in time in the New Year.
If you don't want to go, take the days leave. Your attitude to your employer suggests that perhaps they may do better with someone more committed.
Maybe have a think that many people will work Christmas, many people will drive hundreds of miles not just on the 23rd, but also 😱 24th, 25th, 26th etc, many won't get to see their families, many don't get offered time off for this, or get paid for their travel or have a job.

How patronising.

Yes it’s not uncommon to have to attend company events but you are usually paid for your travel and told more than a few weeks in advance. You are also not usually expected to travel on a day when the roads will be at their busiest.

And just because lots of other people will be working Christmas Day etc it doesn’t mean the op should be thanking her employers for a couple of days off in the style of Bob Cratchit.
Lots of people work night shifts. I dare say if most people were suddenly told that their 9-5 job would now involve a 3am shift they wouldn’t be happy.

Ha, if I was working minimum wage in a shop I would not be carting myself half way across the country in my own time and on my expense on the whim of someone else.

You missed out 'be grateful to have a job.' 🙄

Care to elaborate?

It's completely unacceptable to expect you to leave home at 6am and get home after 9pm, just to play games etc. Are they providing transport? Overnight accommodation?

Are you in a union?

Also, what is Black eye Friday??

If you are working outside your normal work hours then I think it’s reasonable to not go. I also think it’s reasonable if it’s going to conflict commitments ie childcare or what have you. Especially with the travel time. I would also like to think that if it’s a fair distance away, your employer would be covering travel expenses surely?

Most places are open on 23rd and 24th. Especially anything to do with retail. If this event is not within your contracted hours then you shouldn’t lose money. Extra expenses should be covered by employer if you are expected to attend.

If your employer is requiring you to travel to a place of work that's not your usual place of work (which should be specified in your contract) then they should reimburse you for reasonable travel expenses. I think that should be mentioned in your contract as well.

When I was working, the standard compensation was 45p per mile driven, but it may be different at your workplace.
Check to see if the "extra time off in lieu of expenses" is mentioned in your contract.

Oh i think the owners know full well what the traffic will be like Thats why THEY are not doing the travelling and making the employees do it.

If they're not paying for the six hours of overtime and reimbursing her travel costs they can go swivel, frankly.

Its pure snobbery. If she was in a high flying career there would be a lot more ppl on here saying her bosses are taking the piss

This in general but I wouldn't be happy if I was expected to swallow the cost of travel and do it in my own time.

but if you work in a hospital/police/hospitality/similar business you can't really moan, we join those industries knowing it will involve weekends and bank hols etc

It’s called black eye Friday where I live. People go out get drunk and cause all kinds of problems for the emergency services. Usually fights hence the black eye

That’s awful. Hate the drinking culture here.

It’s the first I’ve heard of it being called Black eye Friday.

What about a fair few amount of women?

https://thebettermenopause.com/blogs/the-better-gut-community/menopause-diarrhoea-causes-treatment

three hours each way that you pay for and you get two hours back, sod that. I'll take the day off they can keep a days pay, cheeky bastards.
You picked a job near your home for a reason.