Ridiculous 7am start on Boxing Day

[OatMilkLattes]

Hi, I have rejoined MN after a few months off.

I work for a large company in London and we have the 26th/27th off.

We were sent a handover a few days ago from our boss as she has the entire Christmas period off (for the 4th year in a row, meaning I couldn’t take the time off too, but that’s another story!)

She has asked me to log on to my computer to check something at 7am on Boxing Day. In the handover it literally says ‘26th Dec - bank holiday’ and then says for me to log on. I will not get paid for this.

Also if said thing I am checking is wrong, I will need to flag with tech to fix it. That means I will need to phone them and because my flat is so insulated, I need to leave my house and go outside to get signal. I will also have people staying with me so I will end up waking everyone up.

Anyway I am FURIOUS. What can I do here? I feel like knowing I have to log on so early on Boxing Day will semi ruin my Xmas day.

😡

This is starting to look like harassment to me.

Honestly OP I would go straight to HR.

Make sure you point out that you have had no leave granted over Christmas, only bank holidays, for four years now. That your time off is minimal and this is an unreasonable request. Your manager's persistence in pressuring you to do unpaid work at unsociable hours on your day off (which is unlawful in itself) verges on bullying. The expectation is above your pay grade anyway.

HR will know this is unlawful and this will be nipped in the bud. You have nothing to lose as you're leaving anyway.

Reply all and add in HR.

She is completely out of order.

Oh my god??!!! Is this the cheekiest F that ever cheeked?

"Hi Manager,

As I told you in our text conversation yesterday, I will not be able to check this on Boxing Day as it is a public holiday and I already have plans that would make it impossible for me to do this task. Moreover, if you did want me to work on a bank holiday I would expect to be paid commensurately for it, but you have specifically stated that this is not an option. If Boxing Day is so trivial to you, perhaps you can take time out of your holiday to do it, and - I quote - "just go back to bed afterwards". It won't be my problem in a couple of weeks anyway.

Regards

OakMilkLattes"

Reply all: “Hi Manager, as already discussed twice previously, I am on annual leave on the day in question and will not be available to undertake this task on your behalf.

Best wishes,
OatMilkLattes.”

If you really want, attach screenshots of your previous two “No” answers. But otherwise just a short, firm reply that makes clear the buck passes back to her and you’ve already said no. She’s trying to intimidate a yes from you.

I would reply to her and cc in managers with the response 'I have categorically made it clear to you more than once that I am not be available to do this' – then also cc in the head of HR. Then stop responding to any further messages from her and let HR deal.

I would check your contract to be 100% sure and then reply to all with HR involved

“as previously discussed on x date I am unavailable to work on Boxing Day which is an annual leave date for myself. Having checked my contract there is requirements to work outside of normal working hours or whilst on annual leave. I will therefore not be completing this task”

You’re leaving in January, you have nothing to lose. She’s preying on your inability to say no. She’s bullying you. And she wants to look good to her managers, she wants to be able to say to them “I tried 🤷‍♀️” (but even so, copying in your own managers or even your peers on an email like this makes you look like you can’t manage your team - she’s embarrassing herself). This is what I would reply with:

Dear X

As I explained in our texts yesterday, my plans for my two days off over Christmas preclude me from logging on at 7am on Boxing Day, and/or actioning anything that needs actioning.

I hope you’re able to find someone who can do this for you while you are on holiday. Enjoy your trip.

Regards,

Wow, this is bullying and harassment! I agree with posters, above, reply all and reference your previous conversations. You have to stand firm now! Make it the blaze of glory that you go out on! You got this, OP! 💪

This for sure.. make sure you put that you’re unable to do the task ‘on your behalf’ and copy HR in to your reply 100%

Agree with involving HR.

Perhaps also ask whether such bullying and harassment would be done to a man, or even an older woman. Whilst 99% of sexism is by men, there is still the 1% by a woman.

Don't use the word "Apologies", you have nothing to apologise for. Just substitute "As I have already told you more than once".

She's not bright if she thinks she can bully you into this. After all, what is the worst she can do to someone who is already due to leave?

Oh you DO have words!

just say - as I have already made clear I am unable to do this. End .of

If you were to reply to all, attaching the email where she said you can 'just go back to bed' it really wouldn't look good on her.

I hope you reply all with one of these options. My draft for you:

there seems to be some confusion. I’m on leave that day and unable to do it. I’m not sure why the confusion since you know the leave schedule as you would only approve 2 days for me, and we have also already had this discussion about whether I can do task X twice. It is starting to feel like harassment, please do not contact me while I am on my two days of Christmas leave.

It would be massively unprofessional to say "as I've told you more than once" 😂- especially if cc-ing in other people.

OP needs to stay formal, collected and in the right. Don't like "Apologies", then leave it out, by all means, but she doesn't need aggressive retorts.

I think I'd hit reply all and send

Hi,

I think you have sent this to the wrong person? As I stated yesterday I am unable to do this.

best regards

Definetly reply all

"As we discussed in our previous conversation, I am on booked leave for that day and will be unavailable to pick up the task"

See the more she did this, the more stubborn I would get

I think OP has got the perfect “reply to all” herself: “Lol.”

It's purely factual, and therefore not unprofessional. It's important that OP establishes that the person in question already knows this. Otherwise it will come over as if she has allowed her boss to think she will do the work, and has only just chosen to drop it on her and everyone else that she won't.

No, it's rudely phrased, therefore unprofessional.

You could say "As previously discussed, I am on annual leave etc etc" if you want, but yours is too informal and rude IMO .

"As previously advised" would do the trick too and keeps everything nice and professional.

What a twat. She's trying to bully you into doing a task she doesn't want to do herself.

I really hope you stand firm and reply something along the lines of " as previously discussed, I am away / busy / not available, that day so I will not be able to do said task. "

Good luck.

You need to get your response out quickly before people start thanking you.

I'd say something like "There appears to be some confusion. I have advised I am unable to carry out this activity." Cc all.