where do I stand for not attending meeting on my off day at work?

[slowcooker]

I work shifts, let's leave it at that for discretion. They called for a meeting with a 2 days' notice for tomorrow at 8 am. So a). I'd have to take my toddler with me even if I decided to go as too much or a short notice to ask chilminder lo cover and besides why should I incur the cost of paying for half a day's childcare b) I have already made plans that I don't want lo change.

I already said to my team leader that I can't make it and was asked to inform my manager. I find that I will end up being discriminated at for having a small child and having a life basically.

Incidentally I will be working both Saturday and Sunday this week doing long shifts and won't see my DD so for me having a day off is a big thing and I want to spend it with my child and not spend all morning travelling to and back from work for an hour's meeting.
Where do I stand legally for not showing up?

Thanks

What does your contract say about flexibility/attending meetings outside hours or anything similar?

What were your team leader/managers' reactions when you explained you wouldn't be able to come - why do you think you will be discriminated against?

I would stick with a simple, 'I am sorry I am not available on that day, would you like to email me the minutes from the meeting so I can catch up when I am next at work?' without getting into the childcare stuff.

Or, offer to change your shift to that day (if you can), so the meeting falls on your working day and you then get a day off at the weekend. Both of those are very reasonable compromises. I wouldn't go to an 8am meeting on my day off either, unless it was a very serious, vitally important one-off like business closing down/redundancy meeting that couldn't be rearranged.

I would probably find I have an appointment already that day, a long way away, that the meeting clashes with Legally, I am not sure - do you mean could they discipline you for not attending? I think it is very unlikely, they could certainly hold a grudge though.

Thanks no way I can change shift for same reason I can't go lo meeting, my chilminder is booked well in advance to accommodate my shifts can't swap at the last minute. Not got such elaborate contract for meetings, so best thing to follow advice about an appointment far far away. I don't think they have any right to discipline me but I fear that my childless manage will sulk, etc when I try to explain why I can't/won't attend meeting... After all why doesn't she call the meeting on Sat or Sunday when she's off? It's unfair, this is my gripe but can't say it out loud really..
Thank you flowery and moaningJ for replies

MoaningMajesty I meant

If it really is a critical meeting and the info can't wait until you're back in then as a (one-off) compromise you could suggest that you have a short call with your manager at some point during the day to discuss.

I'm very strict with work. I have contracted hours and if a meeting lands on a day that I don't work, then I just email back saying it's a not a day I work with a link to my calendar. If the meeting cannot be rearranged then I send in my comments in advance and arrange for an immediate update on my next day in. In a previous job a member of staff consistently booked social lunches on my day off (we didn't get on!), so I would just stroll in with a toddler and hope dd spilt something on her.

If there is nothing in your contract about attending meetings on extremely short notice on your day off (extremely unlikely), then basically you've got absolutely nothing to worry about. Let the manager sulk, it's basically tough shit!