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.

😡

It would ruin my Xmas day too OP because there would always be the nagging thing in the back of my mind that I needed to remember to be up and logging in for 7am the next day. I think it's a massive thing to ask of you actually.

Well done , OP.
Hopefully she has now got the message loud and clear. Make sure you switch off computer, phone etc. for the whole time you are off work. And more importantly, enjoy your time off.

Fingers crossed that works but if not, then one of the messages above about harassment and bullying would need to be sent, complete with the fact that you’ve been allocated no real leave over the Christmas period for 4 years as your manager books it all for herself.

I'd be the same.

I'd feel as though the Hosts of Mordor were flying over my Christmas Day . . . a dark and threatening shadow . . .

I suppose on the pay front that boss will argue OP is being paid because she will get normal Bank Holiday pay. That of course ignores the fact that work on a Bank Holiday would normally be regarded as overtime, and realistically being expected to work at 7 a.m. on Boxing Day merits triple pay, but expect that one to be thrown at you if you mention pay, OP.

Obviously you just say no, end of conversation. She’s only doing this because she knows she can get away with it with you, change the narrative. Say no you cannot do that, I am back at work on x date and happy to do what you need then. and do not indulge any further in conversation.

Huh? There is no argument that you get paid on your public holidays or your annual leave therefore you should work. None whatsoever.
I don’t know how to turn the bold off, I’m not shouting 😁

Lmao serves her right sounds like she has treated you like crap to be honest.

Hopefully the end and pleased to see your response.

Remember to put your phone on silent before you go to sleep on Christmas day. You don't want anything to disturb your lovely lie-in.

I reallllyyyyy hope one of the cc'd senior managers is on mumsnet and has been following the thread 😁

’suppose on the pay front that boss will argue OP is being paid because she will get normal Bank Holiday pay’

so by this ridiculous argument OP should also be working on her vacation time as that’s paid too???
if you get paid Bank hols and holiday time you have the time off. You don’t have to work.

Me too!! 🤞

It'd semi-ruin my Xmas day... not being able to drink as much, being sure to get an early night, remembering to set an alarm, just having to think about work on Christmas Day evening when you are ENTITLED to a day off the next day, by your contract and the law.

It's basically about having to be "switched on" all the time and not even having a full 24 hours when you can be completely switched off. It's not healthy, physically or mentally.

Some people have to live like that because their job is life-or-death, or extremely personally rewarding, or they have chosen to accept a commensurately high salary in return for the extra stress. None of these apply in OP's case.

And the people for whom none of those things apply, but who gleefully accept substandard (and, as many have pointed out, actually illegal) working conditions are lowering the bar for all the rest of us whilst doing themselves no favours, so a big well done to you and slow clap.

Btw, well done OP.

Yesss! Go oatsmilklatte! So glad you stood your ground. Whatay Cheeky thing to do! Emailing the whole freaking thread. Total and complete misuse of her position. I am seething for you!

I feel the same. Christmas Day would be ruined for me with that hanging over my head.
And particularly as your boss has napped all the leave over the holiday… she can do it.

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

Really?’

yeab, it would for me. The whole point is having a few days to switch off and not thinking about work. I’d be worried about sleeping in and not remembering to get up at 6.30 to do the thing.
mo’s probably get distracted looking at emails too while the laptop was open and I was awake.
AND that would have me wide awake when the rest of the house was still asleep. Annoying

Say you are away somewhere where there is not internet.

Nah. This is one of those "no is a complete sentence" scenarios.

No, I won't do it.
No, I don't want to.
No, you can't make me.
No, find an alternative solution to your problem.
No.
Just no.

If I relied on a job I’d try to get out of things without alienating people. I don’t so I would use the term fuvk off, but then I own my own business.

The OP is leaving in January anyway.

That’s unreasonable to ask of you. Just be honest and say no, I’m unable to do this as it impacts my Christmas plans. You don’t need to elaborate or explain you’re justified in saying that. Say you’ve tried to accommodate the request but realise it won’t be possible so unfortunately on this occasion boss needs to find someone else.

I totally get it OP. Had the company/your manager shown you any grace/kindness/support over the past years, you'd probably have done this cheerfully for them. But since they've taken the piss your goodwill is dried up!

Plus I smell a rat. If it's just a simple quick tasks, why doesn't your manager do it herself? She probably knows there'll be more to it so she's foisting it elsewhere.

Yes I think you've got a fair point @Coffeetree .

If workplace was decent and boss hadn't nabbed the entire festive period for herself, OP may have been more willing to do the task - if she had been asked rather than told.

But I do feel OP has held her own without resorting to the rudeness or expletives that some have been advocating here. She still needs a reference for the future presumably.

YES I AM SO GLAD YOU’RE STANDING YOUR GROUND.

Fuck your boss, she’s a CF and completely trying to bully and harass you into doing this task - likely bc she doesn’t want to have to do it herself. You deserve better.

Repeatedly stand your ground. This task is not your responsibility to sort out at all, you’re perfectly entitled to your day off. I agree with a PP too; keep your phone on silent/switched off when you go to bed on Christmas Day night so nobody can call you and interrupt your lie in/try and push you into sorting it on the day!