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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:
EricNorthmanYesPlease · 15/12/2022 22:14

DirectionToPerfection · 15/12/2022 11:15

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.

This is perfect.
Failing that id be getting signed off with stress from the 23rd to the end of jan!

pollymere · 15/12/2022 22:33

I would reply to all the managers in one email, forwarding your email to this person that clearly states you are unfortunately unable to do this.

The email would say... Dear all, as I've explained below, I'm unfortunately unable to assist with this task due to the reasons given below. I hope you can appreciate that this task would be both outside of my contracted days or hours so understand that I won't be able to change my plans.

I apologize for any misunderstanding that led you to believe I would be doing this task.

Many thanks...

Tatws · 15/12/2022 22:46

If I was in your position I would just not log on. Then when she tries to give me a roasting I would tell her to kiss my arse.

Emotionalsupportviper · 15/12/2022 22:47

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.

Well, good for you.

Perhaps you'd like to cover OP for Boxing Day?

SoupDragon · 15/12/2022 23:01

Tatws · 15/12/2022 22:46

If I was in your position I would just not log on. Then when she tries to give me a roasting I would tell her to kiss my arse.

Yeah, sure you would.

Shortly followed by a period of unemployment.

Hawkins001 · 15/12/2022 23:04

SoupDragon · 15/12/2022 23:01

Yeah, sure you would.

Shortly followed by a period of unemployment.

Show quote history

Exactly, easy to say but then oh pickles etc

Tatws · 15/12/2022 23:12

She says she's going end of January. Nothing to lose.

In previous employment I was asked to work through lunch for a month then the employer didn't pay me for it. The area manager's response was "you don't get paid for lunch". So I lined up a job, coincidentally we had an upcoming busy day within the organisation I was employed for, I said to the "you don't get paid for lunch" manager I will come early to help prep and will do front of house promotion for the day. Then I didn't show...

QuestionsFromThePublic · 15/12/2022 23:18

If you are leaving anyway what have you got to lose?

I would say - I am providing Christmas cover for the fourth year . To confirm my working days will be (list dates, excluding bank holidays). Boxing Day is one of my non working day.

I would remind her that Christmas cover is not being split. If you cannot speak face to face then have a video or telephone call.

That does not work for me.

I will provide cover as mentioned.

Hope you get sorted.

Bad form for a manager to take three weeks leave and leave one person to cover the entire seasonal period.

Hope your new job has a better culture.

ChellyT · 15/12/2022 23:21

GoldenCupidon · 15/12/2022 11:06

Reply all:

Dear Manager,

I think there must have been some confusion. As I've already made it clear in my messages of X date and X date (attached) I have plans during my leave that make it impossible for me to do this. I'm sure you'll be able to find a solution.

Best wishes,

OP

Show quote history

Perfect!

Your manager OP is a real CF! I do hope you have a wonderful Christmas break 🎅

honeylulu · 15/12/2022 23:23

Reply to All. (She has just supplied a magnificent opportunity to be hoisted by her own petard.)

"You may have overlooked my previous response on the matter but I shall not be logging on on Boxing Day as I am on annual leave. Therefore I confirm that I will not be undertaking this task."

Cc in HR for good measure.

Clear, concise; polite but totally unapologetic and shutting down avenues of persuasion.

Any follow up just respond "No".

They can't make you and you are in a good position leaving soon anyway.

Puppers · 15/12/2022 23:25

If you've got you new job lined up.and don't need a reference then I'd reply, CCing all the same senior managers:

Dear X,

As previously discussed, I won't be carrying out this task. I am not scheduled to work on Boxing Day and therefore am not available for work related tasks.

I have to add that at this point your communications are completely overstepping the mark. I have already politely declined to do this favour (twice!) and emailing me with senior management copied in is a clear attempt to apply pressure.

I had requested a period of leave over Christmas which, for the fourth year in a row, was rejected because you are taking an extended holiday. I am absolutely not willing to interrupt any of the very limited down time that I have been granted over Christmas in order to carry out unpaid work for the company.

I hope my position on the matter is now very clear.

Regards,

OatMilk

Rainbowsparkles29 · 15/12/2022 23:44

Sometimes no is a full sentence OP...

DarkNecessities · 15/12/2022 23:51

I feel like knowing I have to log on so early on Boxing Day will semi ruin my Xmas day.

Really?

Schnooze · 15/12/2022 23:54

Madness.

LunaLula83 · 15/12/2022 23:57

Tell her to fuck off. Honestly life is too short for this shit.

EscapeRoomToTheSun · 16/12/2022 00:00

God I hope you've told her to fuck off.

kateandme · 16/12/2022 00:11

Well you need to reply to all that oops there s clearly been some confusion.as previously discussed with you Sarah i will not be in a position to perform said task due to being on annual leave and out of range. Sorry if this email was sent before we discussed this? But didn't want anyone else getting confused.

isladeltesoro · 16/12/2022 00:18

'Dear boss,

As explained yesterday (see attached) I will not be able to complete this on your behalf. I apologise if there was any confusion.

KRs,"

Then include a screenshot of yesterdays messages which show there should be no confusion and she is just trying to bully you into it by cc-ing everyone.

JFDIYOLO · 16/12/2022 00:41

Forward the messages to HR. Isn't it unlawful to be required to work for no money?

Original poster
OatMilkLattes · 16/12/2022 01:34

Hi everyone!

Sorry another really busy day. I replied all and said -

‘hi xyz, as previously discussed, I am unable to complete this task, kind regards OatMilkLattes’

I haven’t heard anything back…

Thank you so so much everyone for all your advice!

OP posts:
Original poster
OatMilkLattes · 16/12/2022 01:36

DarkNecessities · 15/12/2022 23:51

I feel like knowing I have to log on so early on Boxing Day will semi ruin my Xmas day.

Really?

Yes. I will be waking up my guests.

OP posts:
DPotter · 16/12/2022 01:49

Hope you 'replied all' !

fancyacuppatea · 16/12/2022 03:23

@OatMilkLattes good.
Stand your ground. Smile

Rainbowsparkles29 · 16/12/2022 05:09

OatMilkLattes · 16/12/2022 01:36

Yes. I will be waking up my guests.

Show quote history

It's totally irrelevant how much of a perceived or real inconvenience the task is tbh. OP is being asked to do unpaid work on a bank holiday. In a friendly, supportive environment it might well be something you're willing to do as a favour but if you don't feel that the help and support is reciprocated then you're under absolutely no legal obligation to do any work on your day off and you owe your boss zero explaination. You could diplomatically explain that generosity and helpfullness works both ways but I suspect it'd fall on deaf ears. Enjoy your Christmas OP x

newfence · 16/12/2022 07:05

OatMilkLattes · 16/12/2022 01:34

Hi everyone!

Sorry another really busy day. I replied all and said -

‘hi xyz, as previously discussed, I am unable to complete this task, kind regards OatMilkLattes’

I haven’t heard anything back…

Thank you so so much everyone for all your advice!

Yesss! Good for you!