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Original poster

Ridiculous 7am start on Boxing Day

436 replies

OatMilkLattes · 14/12/2022 11:04

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.

😡

OP posts:
Bobbybobbins · 15/12/2022 16:52

This is outrageous OP - well done for standing up for yourself!

DontFeatureMeOnSocialMedia · 15/12/2022 17:03

Wow she is pretty determined.

Reply all to explain that it's a bank holiday and you cannot do it and then please take it to either her manager or HR.

At this point it is bullying and harassment.

DontFeatureMeOnSocialMedia · 15/12/2022 17:05

RedToothBrush · 15/12/2022 13:27

"As I have responded twice in previous emails to X, it is a bank holiday and I am on leave and unable to carry out this task.

I do not understand why I am now being asked for a third time by senior management.

It is starting to feel like there is an attempt to harass and bully me into saying yes to unpaid work which is outside my contracted hours and terms of employment.

As I have stated previously, I have not agreed to do this task and I am unable to do it. I hope this resolves the matter once and for all and that HR can be left out of this"

And copy in HR to the email.

Make it crystal clear that a) no if your answer and b) they are now taking the piss in asking you multiple times c) firmly make a point about your T&Cs.

This OP. Use this one. Red has nailed it.

LlynTegid · 15/12/2022 17:44

The only apology should be to others who have been troubled by being copied in on this unreasonable request and refusal to accept the answer.

user1485851222 · 15/12/2022 17:50

Reply back, copying in all the managers she copied in, saying ," as advised to you previously, I am on holiday on boxing day, and as advised I am unable to log in, during the holiday period. Hopefully, as I already advised you of this, you have arranged something else".

Do not give in....

JustAnotherManicMomday · 15/12/2022 17:55

If you normally work in the office. I would wait until Wednesday morning then tell her your Internet at home is down, you noticed it the night before and the earliest they can come out is January. Or tell her your plans changed and your now going to stay with someone. The other option is sorry but my contract states I do not work bank Holidays do I am unable to carry out this task as this is my only time off over Christmas.

upfucked · 15/12/2022 17:56

I would reply and say as per my 2 previous emails I am unable to do this on a none work day.

DirectionToPerfection · 15/12/2022 17:59

JustAnotherManicMomday · 15/12/2022 17:55

If you normally work in the office. I would wait until Wednesday morning then tell her your Internet at home is down, you noticed it the night before and the earliest they can come out is January. Or tell her your plans changed and your now going to stay with someone. The other option is sorry but my contract states I do not work bank Holidays do I am unable to carry out this task as this is my only time off over Christmas.

No need for OP to give reasons to justify herself, or apologise.

randomusername666 · 15/12/2022 18:05

RunLolaRun102 · 14/12/2022 13:31

Don’t reply to the message: you made your point. Put your ooo on and enjoy your holiday.

Show quote history

Agree with this approach. Don't respond further, you've given her the only response she needs. Don't allow her to bully you.

GingerNutMe · 15/12/2022 18:08

Tell her to check it herself - I'm sure they have WiFi wherever it is she is going on holiday.

Milkand2sugarsplease · 15/12/2022 18:08

I hope you replied with a screen snip of your last message to her advising her that you wouldn't so all the managers can clearly see she's taking the piss.

Ohtheweatheroutsideistoocold · 15/12/2022 18:14

I'm guessing she is trying to force you into it because no one wants to do it and as you are leaving in January she doesn't care about pissing you off.

Pelsall116 · 15/12/2022 18:21

You are leaving in Jan anyway; tell her to go stuff herself and you will NOT be logging on to do anything!

NeverDropYourMooncup · 15/12/2022 18:29

If in outlook, select Forward as Attachment for the previous email chains, Save as '1st advising unavailability' and '2nd advising unavailability'. Drag into a Reply All.

'As previously advised (attached for ease of reference), I am not available for unpaid duties on the Bank Holiday'

Ctrl-Enter.

I've had messages like that. I didn't do the tasks that were being demanded of me.

magicthree · 15/12/2022 18:44

So you have to log onto a computer and possibly make a phone call and this is going to "ruin your Xmas Day"? Unbelievable.

I will go to my work over the holidays to bring in the rubbish bins, as I do every public holiday. They have offered to pay me, I decline. It takes a few minutes, I don't need paying - and if they didn't offer to pay me I wouldn't be FURIOUS.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 15/12/2022 18:48

magicthree · 15/12/2022 18:44

So you have to log onto a computer and possibly make a phone call and this is going to "ruin your Xmas Day"? Unbelievable.

I will go to my work over the holidays to bring in the rubbish bins, as I do every public holiday. They have offered to pay me, I decline. It takes a few minutes, I don't need paying - and if they didn't offer to pay me I wouldn't be FURIOUS.

There are no medals for martyrdom in the workplace. It just fucks over other employees with better boundaries.

Callipygion · 15/12/2022 18:49

ilovelamp82 · 15/12/2022 15:05

I don't think you need to go into more details, I would respond.

Dear ...

I think I've been CC'd in error here as I am unable to complete this task as explained in our previous 3 emails,.

Thanks

This reply is perfect (without the “thanks” - just your name will do).
Short and direct.
No “apologies”,
no “sorry”,
no “Enjoy your trip”,
no “best wishes”,
and no “kind regards or best regards”

Just one big fat “No “ really!

pelargoniums · 15/12/2022 18:49

magicthree · 15/12/2022 18:44

So you have to log onto a computer and possibly make a phone call and this is going to "ruin your Xmas Day"? Unbelievable.

I will go to my work over the holidays to bring in the rubbish bins, as I do every public holiday. They have offered to pay me, I decline. It takes a few minutes, I don't need paying - and if they didn't offer to pay me I wouldn't be FURIOUS.

Just because you want to lick the corporate boot standing on your neck do unpaid work on public holidays doesn’t mean you get to lower the bar for the rest of us.

Topsyturveymam · 15/12/2022 18:52

Be that broken record with her. Send sn email making it crystal clear that you are unable to check it, don’t give a reason.

If you get anything back, where she doesn’t accept this. Again repeat.
Don’t allow her to get away with this manipulation. Make sure it’s all on email.

If she’s that bothered about the check she can disturb her break and do it!

DirectionToPerfection · 15/12/2022 19:03

magicthree · 15/12/2022 18:44

So you have to log onto a computer and possibly make a phone call and this is going to "ruin your Xmas Day"? Unbelievable.

I will go to my work over the holidays to bring in the rubbish bins, as I do every public holiday. They have offered to pay me, I decline. It takes a few minutes, I don't need paying - and if they didn't offer to pay me I wouldn't be FURIOUS.

Don't be so ridiculous. OP has had her leave requests over Christmas denied for four years now, the bank holidays are all she has and she's entitled to an actual break away from work.

If you want to be a martyr that's your choice, but most people value their time, especially over Christmas.

Trez1510 · 15/12/2022 19:05

Reply ALL

Hi Bitch

As previously discussed (see attached emails) I will not be undertaking this task on Boxing Day as it is a) a public holiday, and b) one of only two days I will be on leave over the entire festive period.

Now, go fuck yourself and explain your attempts at bullying and harassing me to all those lovely senior managers you were stupid enough to copy into this email.

Me

Anactor · 15/12/2022 19:05

magicthree · 15/12/2022 18:44

So you have to log onto a computer and possibly make a phone call and this is going to "ruin your Xmas Day"? Unbelievable.

I will go to my work over the holidays to bring in the rubbish bins, as I do every public holiday. They have offered to pay me, I decline. It takes a few minutes, I don't need paying - and if they didn't offer to pay me I wouldn't be FURIOUS.

The point is that you expect to nip over and bring the bins in, just as I expect that I’ll be working on Christmas Day.

Asking an employee to do an unexpected 7am morning task on their day off is bullying. The manager is trying to ruin their employee’s holiday with unpaid work at an unsocial hour.

purplebunny2012 · 15/12/2022 19:05

If it was me (as long as I was leaving and was paid at that level), I would be replying there is no way I am getting up at 7am on a bank holiday as I will be staying up late the night before, possibly staying up until 2am (as is my perogative) and I find it impossible to get back to sleep, so no, I can't just go back to bed.
I won't be discussing this further as I'm not paid enough to warrant this being worth interrupting my holiday

Hellno44 · 15/12/2022 19:06

RedToothBrush · 15/12/2022 13:27

"As I have responded twice in previous emails to X, it is a bank holiday and I am on leave and unable to carry out this task.

I do not understand why I am now being asked for a third time by senior management.

It is starting to feel like there is an attempt to harass and bully me into saying yes to unpaid work which is outside my contracted hours and terms of employment.

As I have stated previously, I have not agreed to do this task and I am unable to do it. I hope this resolves the matter once and for all and that HR can be left out of this"

And copy in HR to the email.

Make it crystal clear that a) no if your answer and b) they are now taking the piss in asking you multiple times c) firmly make a point about your T&Cs.

I'd do this. What's the worse they can do? You're leaving thr end of January anyway

Ohtheweatheroutsideistoocold · 15/12/2022 19:09

magicthree · 15/12/2022 18:44

So you have to log onto a computer and possibly make a phone call and this is going to "ruin your Xmas Day"? Unbelievable.

I will go to my work over the holidays to bring in the rubbish bins, as I do every public holiday. They have offered to pay me, I decline. It takes a few minutes, I don't need paying - and if they didn't offer to pay me I wouldn't be FURIOUS.

I don't understand why you go home at night and don't just stay at work, you have a terrible work ethic...