To tell them to F*** off and quit before the Christmas break?

[icyblast]

I’ve been working full time at a nursery for 3 years now, and honestly, it’s been terrible. I’m not sure how I’ve managed to stick around this long. I think I just got too comfortable. The kids are lovely, and I genuinely enjoy that part of my job. But the management / owners? That’s a different story. It’s a chain of nurseries, and all they care about is profit. The staff are treated like shit, paid peanuts, and they act like they’re untouchable / above employment law. I could share so many stories, but I won’t bother. However, this latest incident has pushed me and a few others over the edge.

To keep it short, the owners like to donate to charity (which isn’t a bad thing), but they’re not good people, and no one sees what happens behind the scenes. They’ve organised a charity event for tomorrow that lasts 3 hours and threatened us with disciplinary action if we don’t show up. We all work Monday to Friday (that’s what our contracts say) and won’t be paid for our time tomorrow. Plus, it’s the last weekend before Christmas, so naturally, most of us have plans or are going away. They only told us on Tuesday that we were expected to attend. One of my colleagues only started 2 weeks ago (already had plans for the weekend), and while our manager let her off, she basically got a warning and was told not to let it happen again. Seriously? It’s her day off! Why shouldn’t she be able to make plans?

The thing is, if they had just asked us nicely to help out, most of us would have agreed. But they’ve given us no choice and threatened to sack us if we don’t go! Then we have to act like it’s a wonderful company and put on smiles and act happy for the parents and kids. We’re going just to avoid the hassle, but most of us are now looking for new jobs.

I talked to my partner about this, and he told me to just leave. I don’t have another job lined up yet, but I’m fully qualified and have over 10 years of experience in child care. I’m not trying to be cocky, but there are so many care jobs available right now that I doubt I’d have a hard time finding something better. AIBU to hand my notice in on Christmas Eve and enjoy my time off?

Do it. The only way arsehole companies learn is when it inconveniences them. While you all jump to attention they will keep pushing their luck.

Listen to your DP. Also, don’t go to the event tomorrow.

Definitely NU, this is awful on their part. Could you all call ACAS /union first though for back up? Just thinking none of you should have to do this but some may not be in the position to leave (although you are justified in doing so!)

Yes do it. And we should link this thread on every nursery one where posters pretend that nurseries are amazing and don’t operate at a profit! It sounds hit op and hopefully you find another role somewhere better.

Email your resignation tonight, and don't go tomorrow. They can't sack you if you've already resigned. They have no right to your personal time.
DH has your back. There's no reason to put up with their sh$& any longer.

Nauseating that they treat staff like crap and make a big show of fundraising for charity. They're basically donating YOUR wages to charity by trying to force you to work for nothing. Enjoy your free weekend and tell them to fuck off.

Just say you’re ill and don’t go.
If your not being paid I don’t understand how they can make you go along.
It’s really out of order isn’t it.

None of you should turn up. Are they really going to discipline all their staff? I'm sure the unions would love to take that up with them.

It's really really shit how these companies operate and treat people. Name and shame I say. Too many of them get away with this bollocks.

Do it op. At nearly 50 I so regret spending too much time in jobs I hated when I was younger, and I always kick myself for putting up with them, and horrible bosses or colleagues.

Once you do it I bet you’ll feel a weight lift, then you can get onto finding somewhere lovely.

Apologise and say you have plans for the weekend.
If they fire you then take them to tribunal.
Don't quit until you find a new job. But send the message that it’s not ok to treat people like this.

OP I walked out on my job in mid October. They really screwed me over. I got on well with the staff but poor management just the same as you.

Something major happened and I’d just had enough. It was a huge risk but I’ve got another job doing exactly the same thing and start Monday. If you can take the risk and think you’ll get something else quick then go for it. You’ll feel so much lighter for it. Good luck.

I wouldnt turn up and see what they do. Employment law could be interesting if they try to sack you.

I echo above, don’t go tomorrow and if they sack you sue them for unfair dismissal and if they don’t resign anyway.

I also endorse phoning ACAS ( or maybe a colleague who belongs to it , or look online) and find out where you stand.
I’ve left a job that I wasn’t happy in and although finding another one isn’t easy, it’s better than being unhappy or ( in your case) being told you need to do things that your not being paid for.
If it’s not in your contract, what can they do ?
There are always lots of nursery jobs around , find one that values you. Although I know that these days that is easier said than done :(
Good luck with whatever you decide to do

I'd tell them you won't be attending and then let it play out. I would also make it clear that if they attempt to discipline you , you will leave and take them to a tribunal. Make sure you save any contact you have with them. Call Acas in the New Year, if needed. Look for a new job anyway.

Don't turn up tomorrow, and if they challenge you just say you thought they were joking when they asked you to work on a non-working day without pay! It sounds like you are content to leave so their "consequences" really don't mean anything and won't hurt you. With your experience I'd imagine you could walk into another job.

They're not paying you 24/7 so they can't dictate what you do 24/7. If you're not contracted for that time then tell them to stuff it. Have they written down you'll be sacked if you don't attend?

I wouldn't be apologising for not going tomorrow. At most I would say 'I won't be available to volunteer at your charity event tomorrow'

Life's too short to put up with this shit. They can't threaten to sack somebody for not coming in on their day off, unless the employment contract has a clause for this. Jack the job and enjoy your Christmas knowing you're not going back there. It will feel so liberating!

Don’t resign

Don’t go

Let them sack you

Take them to tribunal for unfair dismissal

100% this

Yep.

My d worked in several nurseries, none of them that good although high fee paying.
The last one she whistle blew on after 3 weeks as staff in her room were ignoring, ill treating very young kids, food was removed if they didn't eat it all within 5 minutes of serving. She wanted to complain to the manager but the room leader was bf with her. They would sit in the staff room on their phones while d and a trainee were looking after 15 kids on their own. A couple of parents had object to CCTV in the room so it wasn't allowed.
Part of a major chain of nurseries and very expensive. D involved the relevant authorities and left before the shit hit the fan. The trainee she kept in touch with stayed on and apparently several members of staff including room and general manager were sacked. CCTV has now been installed and the staff 'are lovely with the little ones.
It's disgusting that it came to this but d did the right thing but those poor kids and the parents never knew at the time as the guilty staff were charming and lovely to the parents and carers.

This.

Of you've got any emails/messages with their threats on, print them and keep them.

I’d do this.

If you’re going to leave anyway, then you may as well stay while you’re looking for another job, and if you’re lucky they might sack you on illegal grounds and you can rinse them for a pay out too.