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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:
Effitall · 14/12/2022 12:15

OatMilkLattes · 14/12/2022 11:46

I’ve messaged her to say I have the day off as it’s a bank holiday so I won’t be checking it.

Her response was for me to please check it still and you can go back to bed after 🙃

She’s asking you to do something when you are on leave which she sees as reasonable, so there’s no reason she shouldn’t do it herself.

Reply and let her know that it is inappropriate for her to interrupt your leave with this task and that she will need to find another solution.

if you are leaving anyway, take a stand.

FetchezLaVache · 14/12/2022 12:17

JassyRadlett · 14/12/2022 11:21

Your last message makes mine redundant! If you're leaving you've got absolutely nothing to lose.

'X's handover left me this task for the bank holiday. Unfortunately it wasn't agreed with me in advance and I'm not able to do it. As I had my leave for the wider Christmas holiday rejected earlier this year, I am unwilling to give up any of the small amount of family time I'm able to take. I hope you're able to find someone to cover this.'

This is an excellent message.

InSummertime · 14/12/2022 12:17

Just seen your reply.

resend your reply and bold underline the bit where you are on leave and add another sentence.

please see earlier email the answer is No, I am on leave that day- I will not be able to do this on this day’. Copy in HR to your reply.

ICanHideButICantRun · 14/12/2022 12:18

You're leaving anyway. Just say that you can't do it - you don't need to explain.

ilovebrie8 · 14/12/2022 12:18

What a cheek! You are leaving so stick to your guns OP! Just say sorry I’m on leave and won’t be able to do this ...

HPFA · 14/12/2022 12:19

Cheeky lot!

My daughter's just started work at Costa and was asked if she'd prefer to work Christmas Eve or Boxing Day - she said she didn't mind which one and found she'd been put down for both! Employers really do take the p*ss.

ICanHideButICantRun · 14/12/2022 12:19

"As you know, I've only got the bank holidays off because everyone else is taking leave, so I've made plans to be with friends. I won't be able to commit to this, sorry."

pelargoniums · 14/12/2022 12:21

OatMilkLattes · 14/12/2022 11:46

I’ve messaged her to say I have the day off as it’s a bank holiday so I won’t be checking it.

Her response was for me to please check it still and you can go back to bed after 🙃

“As per my previous message, I am on leave that day.”

rookiemere · 14/12/2022 12:22

ICanHideButICantRun · 14/12/2022 12:19

"As you know, I've only got the bank holidays off because everyone else is taking leave, so I've made plans to be with friends. I won't be able to commit to this, sorry."

This is a great response.

PuppyMonkey · 14/12/2022 12:23

Dying to know what needs checking…

CheapWine · 14/12/2022 12:24

No way would I do this. She leads by example, cheeky fucker.

”Hi Manager, as previously advised I am on leave that day and since I was only allocated two days leave I am unwilling to sacrifice them to do this unpaid”

and if you are willing -

“As a goodwill gesture I will do this on this occasion only but need your written confirmation that I will be paid for a minimum of 3 hours @ double time for the inconvenience and disruption to my holiday”.

Fuck her, what’s she going to do, sack you?

OnlyFannys · 14/12/2022 12:25

SamphiretheTervosaurReturneth · 14/12/2022 11:22

Then just tell her no. As a manager she can do it herself!

What will she do, sack you? Presumably your new employer already has references etc?

Email her back, copy in her boss, HR etc and say no. You are on leave, it's a Bank Holiday and you won't be doing anything at 7am in the morning other than enjoying the little bit of Christmas holiday her extended period of leave has left you with.

Agree with this

Withnoshoes · 14/12/2022 12:25

You don’t need long winded email replies, stories or excuses. No I still can’t do it I’m on leave. Copied into senior management or HR if that’s an option. If you are leaving it’s even less of an issue surely!

JauntyJinty · 14/12/2022 12:25

pelargoniums · 14/12/2022 12:21

“As per my previous message, I am on leave that day.”

Show quote history

I agree with this

No apologising or making excuses. You're not available to work - beyond that it's none of here business.

Jenasaurus · 14/12/2022 12:26

To be honest OP, you have nothing to lose, its your leave period, you have told her you cant do it, I would ignore her last request and just not do it, then if she asks when you return just say, sorry no internet access on that day. There is literally nothing she can do and this is on her totally

NewNovember · 14/12/2022 12:29

Just reply obviously you won't be doing that.

OnlyFannys · 14/12/2022 12:29

You definitely need to go over her head at this point, the cheeky cow

GoldenCupidon · 14/12/2022 12:31

it's probably something like their social media for the post Christmas period, I doubt it's earth shattering or she'd make bloody sure to do it herself or rota someone on to do it.

In my job I sometimes have to pay people for a 4 hour minimum shift to check something that takes 10 minutes (if all is well) - otherwise we'd be asking people to work Sunday for free. It's just one of those things.

Your boss is a knob and I'm very glad you're leaving. other people have posted great suggested responses. I think those along the lines of "As it is a bank holiday I have plans and will not be able to do this" are good, and resist any pressure (by email or in person) to explain these plans. It doesn't matter if the plans are attending a sex party in the Maldives or helping in a food bank in Wembley - or just sleeping - it's YOUR TIME!

MzHz · 14/12/2022 12:31

OatMilkLattes · 14/12/2022 11:46

I’ve messaged her to say I have the day off as it’s a bank holiday so I won’t be checking it.

Her response was for me to please check it still and you can go back to bed after 🙃

As can she….

sorry manager, it’s not possible. I’m away and off and won’t be logging in to work.

Sakura7 · 14/12/2022 12:32

Definitely copy HR on your response.

"As advised, I am on leave that day and will not be working. I already have minimal leave over the Christmas period due to my leave requests being denied, so I feel this request is unreasonable."

LlynTegid · 14/12/2022 12:32

No is a complete sentence.

Incidentally if you were in the Scottish civil service or in France it would be probably against the rights granted by the government.

SirMingeALot · 14/12/2022 12:32

I’m leaving in the new year (end of Jan)

In that case you're being kind to give her the courtesy of refusing the request in advance, tbh

Reindear · 14/12/2022 12:32

Don’t say sorry! Repeat your previous message- it was a good message. Literally just resend it. Maybe add ‘as per my previous email’ to it if you like.

category12 · 14/12/2022 12:32

If it's a large company, you must have HR?

It's not only during holiday, it's at an anti-social hour. I'd say no to it.

pelargoniums · 14/12/2022 12:34

Reindear · 14/12/2022 12:32

Don’t say sorry! Repeat your previous message- it was a good message. Literally just resend it. Maybe add ‘as per my previous email’ to it if you like.

Yes! Too many of these messages include sorry, and reasoning. You don’t need to apologise or give additional reasoning for not working on your day off!

If it’s such a simple “do it and go back to bed” task your boss can do it. She’s paid more than you are, and she’s the one who thinks it’s important.

(I am desperate to know what it is.)

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