Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

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:
cakewench · 15/12/2022 19:12

I'd find it helpful that she'd CC'd all of the other managers because it would give me an audience to my response to her, which would be "As per our previous conversations on this topic, I am unavailable for this unpaid work at 7am on a bank holiday."

If literally ALL of them think that asking employees to perform unpaid work is ok, then your company really does have problems.

I assume you have another job lined up already if you are leaving at the end of January?

babyjellyfish · 15/12/2022 19:12

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.

Boohisspiss · 15/12/2022 19:13

“No dice, kind crone” Done.

Sneakyblinders · 15/12/2022 19:16

What a terrible manager!

I would reply all and make it clear you've already said no I am not available then and then I would forward to HR making a complaint. Especially if you are leaving, you have absolutely nothing to lose.

itsthefinalcountdown1 · 15/12/2022 19:17

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.

Respectfully, some people have better things to do than unpaid work for fun.

babyjellyfish · 15/12/2022 19:18

If you really wanted to leave in spectacular fashion you could actually just send your boss that YouTube clip, OP.

Trez1510 · 15/12/2022 19:19

cakewench · 15/12/2022 19:12

I'd find it helpful that she'd CC'd all of the other managers because it would give me an audience to my response to her, which would be "As per our previous conversations on this topic, I am unavailable for this unpaid work at 7am on a bank holiday."

If literally ALL of them think that asking employees to perform unpaid work is ok, then your company really does have problems.

I assume you have another job lined up already if you are leaving at the end of January?

I'd avoid any mention of unpaid work because a more senior manager might think throwing money at the issue will resolve it i.e. OP is willing but only if paid.

SunshineBoy · 15/12/2022 19:20

As per our previous conversations I am unwilling to do this task unpaid on a bank holiday. furthermore, I do not feel it is fair of you to ask this of me considering I’ve already had to make massive compromises to my Christmas after all my leave requests were denied so that you could take your extended Christmas break.

Travis1 · 15/12/2022 19:24

I hope you replied all with a screenshot of your message saying no!

WTAFhappened123 · 15/12/2022 19:26

Hope you’ve looked up constructive dismissal to see if you can take her to town - she is a horrible CF

MinnieGirl · 15/12/2022 19:28

I have already told you on two separate occasions that I am on leave on that date and not available to undertake this task.

I do not intend to communicate further on this issue.

Ellie56 · 15/12/2022 19:37

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.

Hmm
BringBackFoilWrappers · 15/12/2022 19:39

Op just double down and reply all what you have said previously.
She can't legally win on this.

SirMingeALot · 15/12/2022 19:39

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.

Fucking tragic.

Luredbyapomegranate · 15/12/2022 19:41

You’re leaving and you aren’t on some massive salary.

Respond to her email cc’ing everyone -

Hi x

No - as previous I’m not able to log on over the holiday period.

y

Keep it simple. They’ll sort it if it needs sorting

Benjispruce4 · 15/12/2022 19:44

Say no you have guests and it won’t be possible. Why are you even bothering to check as you’re leaving?

Cakeandcardio · 15/12/2022 19:45

I know it can be so so hard to stand up to absolute shit like this - I'm guilty of being a pushover myself. But honestly fuck this. There's a few suggested replies on this thread. Just use one of them and don't do it. Enjoy your Christmas day and boxing day off!!

Benjispruce4 · 15/12/2022 19:46

Why can’t she do it?

amonsteronthehill · 15/12/2022 19:47

OatMilkLattes · 15/12/2022 11:00

Lol so she didn’t reply but this morning has emailed on a big chain with lots of managers asking me to confirm that I will be checking this.

I have no words

Yes you do. You have words. use them and make it clear that you won't be doing this as you will be away, she's taken 3 weeks off for the 4th year running over the holidays after telling everyone else it wouldn't be fair for you or anyone else to have it off, and she is one of the primary reasons you're leaving in January.

You're leaving. you have nothing to lose. hang her out!

PeachyPeachTrees · 15/12/2022 19:54

She is unbelievable.

Hi CF as I said earlier, I am on leave that day and can't do this.

Dixiechickonhols · 15/12/2022 20:09

OatMilkLattes · 15/12/2022 11:00

Lol so she didn’t reply but this morning has emailed on a big chain with lots of managers asking me to confirm that I will be checking this.

I have no words

That’s perfect she has copied everyone in. Just forward previous email to all with as I have previously advised manager I am not working the bank day and am therefore not available to do that.
You could add I only have the 2 bank holidays as leave over the whole Christmas period as I was unable to book any additional leave as manager is off 3 weeks.

Missingpop · 15/12/2022 20:12

Do they know your leaving?
tbh I’d say fuck it don’t bother logging on get pissed Christmas Day & have a lie in if miss prissy pants kicks off just hand her your notice period on January 4th; then just suck it up for a few weeks; hopefully you’ve got annual leave you can take as part of your notice period, she’ll have a new mug to take the piss out of next Christmas

LlynTegid · 15/12/2022 20:18

Do you know if your manager is out of the country on holiday? If so and emails are being responded to, is there an issue here? My company expressly forbids working from home outside of the UK. If I was on leave abroad and responded to emails, I would be effectively doing just this.

Bignanny30 · 15/12/2022 20:19

If you’re leaving in January anyway then they won’t be sacking you, so just say no I’m sorry but Boxing Day is a bank holiday so I won’t be working that day

keepcalm11 · 15/12/2022 20:19

Jesus, I have no words. What did you reply with @OatMilkLattes

Swipe left for the next trending thread