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Original poster

To just take the disciplinary? (Completion)

53 replies

Pancakeday14 · 04/03/2025 09:11

Just been informed yesterday by my solicitor after months of worrying and back and forth that my house sale is going to complete next Tuesday. Obviously very excited and a lot to do.

I have tried to book Tuesday off but my manager has declined it and said no as I’m suppose to be out that day at a charity event and nobody can cover. I looked at the timings and I won’t be back until 6pm after the estate agent is closed to collect the keys. Live 200 miles from family so nobody can help that side either. I also don’t know what I’ll do with all my stuff etc and really wanted to do final checks. I’ll do as much as I can over the weekend.

so I’ve had to message again to say I really need that day off. I can’t risk having nowhere to sleep that night and I will need to have removals that day. Manager has said if I take the day it’ll be unpaid and I will be at risk of disciplinary. I’m going to have no choice am I?

OP posts:
BlueMum16 · 04/03/2025 10:01

RatedDoingMagic · 04/03/2025 09:42

Move out of the old place on the Monday.
Have the delivery company store your stuff for 2 nights and spend 2 nights in Premier Inn.
Move into the new place on the Wednesday.

Or tell your solicitor that you aren't available that day.

It's totally unprofessional to take unauthorised leave if your employers can't manage a specific event without you.

This.

AnSolas · 04/03/2025 10:05

Get a removal company to store or pack everything.
Or over the weekend and move it to a self store.
Keeping a suitcase of musthaves dump that at the office by taxi /in your boot/ taxi to the event and keep it with you.
Arrange a courier via the estate agent to collect the keys and deliver to your location.
Its doable but may cost more
If you do not have the cash ask for a loan from work as that ensures you are at the event and they get the money back.

m00rfarm · 04/03/2025 10:07

Just tell the lawyer that you cannot do that day. Or explain to agent and removals team that you cannot be back until 6.30pm and can they meet you at the house at that time as you cannot change your work on that day. As an agent, I absolutely have no issue with doing that in order to finalise a sale. THe removal men - well, unless you ask you don't know. Give them a bigger tip, perhaps.

You cannot let your work down if there truly is no one else to cover the event. It is very short notice, and is not a normal day in the office. THere are many options. The agents can bring the key to your office and you can pick it up - the removal men can hold the van over night and you stay in a local hotel for the night.

The last people to blame are your work - cannot understand the attitude of some people and I would very much not be happy if I were your manager if you just did not turn up. Yes, it is tough for you, but you have a prior commitment and you have no choice.

JHound · 04/03/2025 10:10

Disciplinary for missing ONE event?

I would he looking for a better company to work for

FeministUnderTheCatriarchy · 04/03/2025 10:14

I don't think your manager is being unreasonable. You are telling them at late notice and this is an event that is important. Not a normal work day.

I know it isn't your fault, bjt it isn't theirs either.

Ask your removal company to hold your things and move out on the Monday.
Stay in a hotel Tuesday if you need to and then properly move in Wednesday and take that day off.

I wouldn't be risking a disciplinary, not if you like your job.
The market is unforgiving at the moment and being managed out isn't the same as it used to be. People aren't walking into jew jobs these days.

I would prioritise financial stability, especially with a new house purchase.

I think it's very likely the estate agents and removal company can work with you to get a solution

helpfulperson · 04/03/2025 10:14

Will the event have to be cancelled if you don't attend?

Overthebow · 04/03/2025 10:15

You need to tell your solicitor that you can’t complete in that day. I’m surprised this didn’t come up before, whenever we’ve moved we’ve discussed days for completion quite far in advance and avoid the days which are definite no’s.

Original poster
Pancakeday14 · 04/03/2025 10:17

Sorry, we do these events daily. They are stands at different charity shops!. Yeah I think I’ll have to look into storage etc. I won’t be able to collect the keys until the Wednesday as the estate agent closes at 5.

OP posts:
Phunkychicken · 04/03/2025 10:19

Our buyers money didn’t go through in tone so it stood was stuck on a truck the entire weekend and then DH couldn’t have the Monday off when we eventually moved in as he just started a new job. I had a 13 month old and was 6 months pregnant. It was hell. In your shoes I’d definitely pay the extra for the movers to store overnight, and just move the Wednesday. How long ago did you agree to Tuesday being the moving day ?

Isobel201 · 04/03/2025 10:23

I'd move out on Monday off and drop the keys off to the estate agent then ask removals to hold your stuff for a day, and book into a hotel for a couple of nights. Horrible timing with the charity event, but if there's no alternative, then that's the only plan I can think of.

LumpyandBumps · 04/03/2025 10:53

Pancakeday14 · 04/03/2025 10:17

Sorry, we do these events daily. They are stands at different charity shops!. Yeah I think I’ll have to look into storage etc. I won’t be able to collect the keys until the Wednesday as the estate agent closes at 5.

How far away are you?
Would the agents be willing to send you the keys via courier? ( at your risk and expense)

AlisonDonut · 04/03/2025 11:06

I'd tell your manager that unfortunately the issue is that you are having to complete and move on that day and so you are unable to be in two places at once and so whatever, if this warrants a 'disciplinary' then so be it. I'd copy HR and their manager into the response as well.

TY78910 · 04/03/2025 11:11

JHound · 04/03/2025 10:10

Disciplinary for missing ONE event?

I would he looking for a better company to work for

You can't just not come to work.

You can book holiday (which was declined based on business needs), take a sick day, or bereavement, or dependant leave. Those are the only reasons you could be off work at short notice without breaching your employment contract. So yes, investigation and then likely disciplinary action is appropriate.

bloodredfeaturewall · 04/03/2025 11:21

you don't have to move on completion day.
you can pack up and put in storage before and unpack later.

theressomanytinafeysicouldbe · 04/03/2025 11:41

I handed my keys to my vendors in a coop car park.

Can you pop out to get the keys, ask a colleague/friends to collect them?

Maybe they could drop the keys off at the property with your removal men and then they will be halfway through moving you in by the time you get there.

Mareleine · 04/03/2025 11:48

Once, when we completed too late in the day to get the keys (long-distance move and EA was 30 mins from property), the EA sent out a locksmith to change the locks to let us into the property that day. Could a locksmith be an option? Once it's your property you can just change the locks if you want.

Conniebygaslight · 04/03/2025 11:49

I'd try to do something with the vendors directly once completion has happened. Ask your EA for advice

JHound · 04/03/2025 12:02

It’s bonkers that the company has zero back-up. What if you won the lottery or were hit by a bus? What then?

Seriously I would be looking for a new job. That lack of flexibility would kill me.

JHound · 04/03/2025 12:05

TY78910 · 04/03/2025 11:11

You can't just not come to work.

You can book holiday (which was declined based on business needs), take a sick day, or bereavement, or dependant leave. Those are the only reasons you could be off work at short notice without breaching your employment contract. So yes, investigation and then likely disciplinary action is appropriate.

Show quote history

Which is why I said she needs to look for a new job. I have NEVER worked for somewhere that would move straight to disciplinary for missing one out of hours work event, with advance notice for a fairly major reason.

I had to move late last year and was giving far least notice to attend viewings, all no issue.

I am not saying to OP just not show up but I would personally be seeking a better employer.

TY78910 · 04/03/2025 12:06

JHound · 04/03/2025 12:05

Which is why I said she needs to look for a new job. I have NEVER worked for somewhere that would move straight to disciplinary for missing one out of hours work event, with advance notice for a fairly major reason.

I had to move late last year and was giving far least notice to attend viewings, all no issue.

I am not saying to OP just not show up but I would personally be seeking a better employer.

Show quote history

Advance notice is 30 days. This is 7. Hardly advance

JHound · 04/03/2025 12:07

Pancakeday14 · 04/03/2025 09:35

I’ve had to accept it as the whole chain is pushing for that date and my sellers mortgage offer runs out on the 12th and she’s left it to late for an extension 😬

Why is there absolutely no wriggle room on the date? Is it usual for them to say this is the date and that’s it?

Can you try to find your own cover for work by discussing with your colleagues.

JHound · 04/03/2025 12:08

TY78910 · 04/03/2025 12:06

Advance notice is 30 days. This is 7. Hardly advance

Show quote history

Where are you getting “advance notice is 30 days” from?

What definition of advance notice means “30 days”? Do you mean where you work specifically?

SpringleDingle · 04/03/2025 12:10

Removals companies will store your stuff (they stored mine for 3 months as we were between houses) but it costs money!!

DaniMontyRae · 04/03/2025 12:11

JHound · 04/03/2025 12:05

Which is why I said she needs to look for a new job. I have NEVER worked for somewhere that would move straight to disciplinary for missing one out of hours work event, with advance notice for a fairly major reason.

I had to move late last year and was giving far least notice to attend viewings, all no issue.

I am not saying to OP just not show up but I would personally be seeking a better employer.

Show quote history

But it's not out of hours? It's part of her working day.

TY78910 · 04/03/2025 12:17

JHound · 04/03/2025 12:08

Where are you getting “advance notice is 30 days” from?

What definition of advance notice means “30 days”? Do you mean where you work specifically?

Edited
Show quote history

Most employers that I have worked for have asked (for scheduling and staffing reasons) for 30 days. Anything less is at discretion and if business need allows. If OP has daily events, they are likely scheduled in advance so would need more notice. But yes, she would need to check her annual leave policy to determine whether she’s given enough notice - IME 7 days is not enough for when you are public facing