Is this acceptable of a charity?

[pennypop3]

I started working in the events team of a medium sized charity about 5-6 months ago. Lots of weekend and evening work but nothing like this so far so I'm just gauging opinions.

Next week we have an all day event. It will require me leaving home at about 5am and driving 1.5 hours to the venue. I'll be working all day and probably not getting home until 10pm. Also driving home. I'm sure there will be opportunities to have a break during the day but no fixed break times as such so if I'm needed I will be working through the day.

In my previous job at another charity we would have been offered an overnight stay at such an event as they were aware it's a long day and that it's a relatively long drive home after a full day of work. This hasn't been mentioned. When I raised the question with management they were surprised and I got the feeling it's looked down upon as it's seen to be taking money away from the event. They basically suggested if I want to stay I have to arrange and pay for it myself.

Is this ok? It's a small team and we all have to pitch in. I get that and would never usually complain. But the attitude of management has rubbed me up the wrong way.

The fact that it's a charity doesn't mean they can treat staff like shit. You're staff -not a wealthy benefactor.

What are your reasons for wanting it- just to make you more comfortable or are you worried you'll be unsafe to drive?

10pm isn't a crazy time to be getting home, although I appreciate that is a very early start.

No its not acceptable. There is no way you should be required to drive after such a long day. It sounds negligent to me. I don't know what you can do about it now without flagging yourself as a troublemaker though? I probably would have asked quietly 1-2-1 and kept what I had asked for to myself, so they could provide accommodation just for me, rather than the whole team

It’s a VERY long day for you to work without a break. Not sure that an overnight stay is needed but they need to make sure you have cover during the day and a lunch break.
Could you travel by train and get taxis ?

I was in charity management and if we had a day that long I would have offered accommodation either the day before or after the event. Just because they are a charity doesn’t mean they are exempt from HR.

What's the issue? You will get breaks.

That's a normal commute for a lot of people so it's unreasonable to expect the charity to pay for a hotel, just so you don't have to get up early.

But that commute would be for a 9-5 (ish day), not a 6:30-10pm day. Its not an appropriate drive after a 15hour shift

@Fencehedge a working day of 5am to 10pm is acceptable to you?

Saying it is negligent is going a bit far. Loads of health care workers do a 12 hour shift and drive 90 mins home. I agree it’s a long day though and OP will need a break

There will be opportunities to sit down but I won't get an hour off to eat in peace or whatever. It's a full on schedule.

I don't want to cause trouble I just think it's a bit inconsiderate of management. They don't seem to care at all.

She said its a 1.5hr journey, so will be working maximum 6.30am to 8.30pm with breaks.

Similar to an NHS long day, plus it's a one-off rather than a pattern of shifts.

For a small team charity, OP hasn't read the room, being new. And what can she realistically do about it, apart from leave?

Thats a very long day for you op, i would expect a hotel room to be provided, driving home exhausted isnt very safe.

I meant the night after the event so that I don't have to drive home exhausted.

It's a long day but a one off. I'd maybe appreciate a hotel the night before.

But honestly sounds absolutely standard for working in events - which is why I would never choose to work in events.

It's not great, but it's not something I'd expect an overnight for. Friends who work in hospitality/events often work fewer days but long days/double shifts
I work in the public sector and the only time we are able to take a hotel stay is if the driving hours are higher than our h&s policy allows (think around 7hrs total)

What do you think NHS staff do?

Ok thanks for the comments. As I said it was just to gauge opinion.

It's a long old day @pennypop3 but welcome to the world of third sector events management!

My tactic has always been to look at personal circs of the team involved and manage individually to make sure everyone is safe and happy. Some people would rather do the long day and take the TOIL. Others would need a hotel either before, or after.

Some team members are happy to take the day as it comes with regards to breaks and down time. Others appreciate knowing their schedule. That's what the event plan/rota is for.

Fundamentally though, these costs are part of the budget. Don't assume that medium to large charities are better with managing their expenditure and their people. They aren't.

Will you get the extra hours back as time in lieu? That I would think is more important in this situation (well it would be to me!).

Yes will get time off in lieu.

What does your charity's expenses policy say?

Mine says: "Hotel accommodation should be considered the night before a meeting or event that would otherwise require leaving home before 6.30am. Similarly, hotel accommodation should be considered where attendance at a meeting or event would mean returning home after 10pm".

So in your situation I might have 2 nights accommodation but realistically would probably just stay the night before. And as others have said, being a charity doesn't exempt them from duty of care etc.

That was unfortunately standard when I had a similar job. In my experience management know that there are hundreds of people just waiting to take a job like that, so they know most people will never complain.

Work for a charity and we are offered overnight accommodation if we travel 2 hours or more. I agree your day is long but I would drive that distance for a day. However I would expect a policy on this and I would also expect that if I asked as my day was so long an overnight stay would be an option.

I think that's very inconsiderate to their staff, being a charity has absolutely nothing to do with it.

At my work theyd put you up the night before so you start fresh. I’ve been known ala long distance driver to pull into a lay-by and have a nice nap. Get a thermos of coffee from the event before they pack up, bring a good blanket. Passenger seat as far back as it goes 40 winks, hot drink and you’ll be fine.