Working 10 days straight from Christmas Eve

[SLB7875]

Firstly let me make clear I am fine working all key dates and said this to my manager. I've worked the last couple of Christmases and new year. I work in hospitality so its extra busy at this time of year, extra stressful for everyone. I work full time, so 5 out of 7 days a week is norm. I am happy to work Christmas eve, Christmas day, boxing day, new years eve and new years day. All I asked is that I get 2 days off between Christmas and new year to have "my family Christmas" to spend time with my husband and kids. (kids are older teens so to us to have "family day" than actual Christmas day is fine)

I have recently been unwell. I'm being seen by hospital while they run tests but in the mean time I'm in constant pain and this is heightened when I get stressed to the point I end up doubled over in pain. I get a couple of hours sleep if that at night because of my current health but I have still been going into work. I haven't eaten properly for 2 months because I am in pain when I eat which is my reason for asking for 2 days off so I can still do a family Christmas meal knowing ill be in more pain for next 24hrs at least but then I should be able to work day after that.

So Christmas and week after rota has just been made available.. I'm working Christmas eve and every day from then right through to January 3rd 2025. By the time I get any time off my son will be going back to school. My manager is full aware of my health issues and family and I actually asked in person for two days off between the holidays and said I was happy to work the key dates.

Am I being unreasonable? Out of almost 30 staff I am the ONLY staff member working 10 days straight and I am the ONLY staff member working every key date.

On an added note I also put in a holiday request for early January (so I could visit my family) which has been rejected. I am the kind of person who comes in on my day off when they are short staffed, even cancelling my holiday to help out if I haven't anything booked.

Stop being such a martyr, you won’t get any thanks for it and start putting yourself and family first.

No that's not reasonable for you to work the whole period 10 days straight. Tell your manager you can't do it, you requested 2 days off and you haven't been given it.

No absolutely not, don't do it discuss it with your manager. I actually feel sorry for you, and your not well, fuck that

I think your illness is going to have a terrible flare up on Christmas Eve and you'll probably be off for 3 or 4 days???
Then definitely start job searching.

Your manager is a nasty piece of work. You have already spoken with him and told him you didn't mind working most days but needed 2 days off. He knows of your health issues too.
He has completely disregarded your request and shown a lack of respect. That is unacceptable towards a member of staff who has always been prepared to help out.
In addition to speaking to him I would put everything in writing as you have written above. What a user and abuser of your goodwill.

How long are your shifts and is it legal to work 10 days in a row?

If it’s 10 days straight with no days not working it’s a breach of working time regulations https://www.acas.org.uk/rest-breaks. You need at least 24 hours every 7 days so point this out, forcibly

Time to put yourself first OP. You can't go on sacrificing your health for everyone else. You haven't even asked for much. Raise this immediately with your manager (who I bet is not working ten days straight) and get them to sort it. Even if you work in hospitality, you shouldn't have to work ALL the holiday days unless you want to (I have worked in NHS before with some who want these shifts as they don't have family and want the extra pay for example).

Then make your health a priority and get some counselling for your people pleasing.

You matter OP. You really do.

Tell me you've never worked shifts without telling me you've never worked shifts.

Hospitality and split shifts. You can be rostered 10 days straight and still have a 24hr break in the middle of it. And that's before you finish the sentence you only read the first half of, which allows for a 48hr break per fortnight in place of the 24hr break per week.

This sort of thing kept happening to me, to the point of me becoming unwell, quite like you. Then they wondered why I left. Once people see you as a doormat, they don’t ever stop, and you’re seen as unreasonable if you suddenly start sticking up for yourself. If I were you I’d start looking for something else. Look after your health too, no job is worth you becoming ill!!!

Get signed off sick. And I really hate people who do this at christmas, usually, as the decent people have to pick up the slack. But this is absolutely ridiculous. Actually not even sure it doesnt break the WTD. I've worked in a job where we had to work Christmas Day etc. If someone offered to work all the key dates and their only ask was that they get 2 days off between Christmas and new year I'd think they were a Godsend! They are taking complete advantage.

They are massively taking advantage of you and I would be looking for a new job or standing up to them.

Make sure they are not breaking the Working Time Regulations too.

https://www.acas.org.uk/working-time-rules

By law employees and workers have the right to the following rest:

• during the working day - 20 minute rest break if they're expected to work more than 6 hours during the day
• between working days - 11 hours rest between finishing and starting work
• between working weeks - 24 hours every 7 working days or 48 hours every 14 working days
• each year you are required to take your holiday entitlement (statutory minimum = equivalent of 28 days)

Agree with all said above. Does the manager not have a single day off for such a long period?

An update to this.

I messaged my manager (so I had proof of my contact) I said I had seen the rotas and I wasn't happy and needed to discuss with them. Their first reply was that they didn't see what the problem was. I didn't reply straight away because I was still upset especially as they couldn't even see the problem. Once I was calm enough (another reason I used messenger for this so I didn't get upset and react) I replied saying that "if you believe having a staff member work 10 days straight from Christmas eve through to 3rd Jan was acceptable, Then that's fine.. Being that there is only one person working EVERY key date and they get put on 10 days straight even after asking months back for time off between to balance this. The fact that I am also not at top health but I'm still working, I'm disappointed."

After a while she replied and then my work schedule app went mad as she amended the time schedule. One extreme to the other as she was clearly pissed at me. So now I have a 3 day break between Christmas and New Year which is more than I expected but Ill take it.. The fact I had to fight for it is ridiculous.
I went to see my GP yesterday, I think due to the added stress the pain is worse at the moment and he has given me stronger pain meds and has offered a sick note at any time if it becomes too much which is good to know and if anything helps take some pressure off.

I am going to concentrate on getting better for now and once I am, in the new year I will take a serious look at my work position.

Thankyou to all of you that replied, the support in knowing I wasn't over reacting really helped me.

Well done @SLB7875 for putting yourself first. Your managers first reaction again highlights her lack of respect for you. Glad to hear you are going to reevaluate your work position. They don't deserve you.

She was annoyed that you called her out on it, well done for sticking up for yourself OP. And I'd also be looking for a new job!

I'm a manager op, and our system wouldn't allow us to roster someone to work 10 days straight. It's really not on. I can see you've had your roster ammeded now. If it happens again, I'd go to your union.

I wouldn't argue.
I would tell.
You have overlooked my request for 2 days off. I will be taking x and y. If there are 2 days that are more convenient, let me know.

Well done for standing up for yourself. Enjoy your days off.

Well done for standing up for yourself, that rota was absolutely ridiculous and your manager obviously thought you'd never challenge her. Enjoy your days off.

Good for you OP.

You told her you weren’t happy, she changed it, job done.

Not sure why there is further drama.

BTW, your message to her was passive aggressive.

I mean the manager was a dick by saying they didn’t see what the problem was, any fool can see making someone work 10 days on the trot any time of the year is not acceptable. Manager deserved a passive aggressive reponse.

If I rostered someone to work 10 days straight including Christmas eve, Christmas day, Boxing day, new years eve and new years day, unless they had volunteered for it, and then told them i didnt see the issue, I'd expect an aggressive-aggressive response, never mind a passive aggressive one.

@SLB7875 Get out of hospitality! I worked in the industry for 20 Years; 3 years out of it now and I've never been happier. There is life beyond double shifts and back to back Rotas

Your manager sounds crap! Glad it’s sorted though. I’d be looking for a new job.