Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

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:
ICanHideButICantRun · 14/12/2022 13:02

What would happen if nobody checked this thing?

And are IT likely to be working at that time?

NeedAHoliday2021 · 14/12/2022 13:04

I would reply to her final message
“just to ensure absolute clarity on this matter; I am not scheduled to work on 26th December and won’t be logging on outside of my paid working hours. I hope you find a solution but I am unable to provide this as your request conflicts with my pre arranged plans and is outside of my terms and conditions of employment.”

I’m actually angry on your behalf! But then I’m a sucker who is on call permanently without extra pay.

Blossomtoes · 14/12/2022 13:04

ICanHideButICantRun · 14/12/2022 13:02

What would happen if nobody checked this thing?

And are IT likely to be working at that time?

Excellent point. I, too, am desperate to know what it is.

FlyingNorth · 14/12/2022 13:06

Just say no, OP. Also, who is scheduled to work that day, and why aren't they covering it?

Hurtingandhealing · 14/12/2022 13:06

Usually management are expected to deal with things that need doing on bank holidays - it’s what they’re paid to do. Either don’t reply or reiterate…NO, it is not covered by pay or my pay grade

PolarBlair · 14/12/2022 13:06

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 a good one

Summerof22 · 14/12/2022 13:08

If this can be done remotely, why doesn’t she set the alarm and do it and as she said to you ‘go straight back to bed’.

DontFeatureMeOnSocialMedia · 14/12/2022 13:08

Is it a small business and she's the ultimate boss? Or is there a wider hierarchy?

If you have a HR department you should call them. Also you could call ACAS for support / advice.

Do you get sick pay? I'd be tempted to self certify for five days over the holiday period and enjoy a longer break, especially if you're leaving anyway. Your boss clearly doesn't respect your time so why should you respect hers?

Clarinet1 · 14/12/2022 13:09

You could agree to the login task and then, on Boxing Day, call or text her about 7:10 saying you’re having some kind of problem and you thought you’d better let her know as it seems so important, thereby disrupting HER lie-in!

bridgetreilly · 14/12/2022 13:11

Literally just reply ‘No.’

You don’t need to give any reason. You’re leaving anyway, so you’ve got nothing to lose. If it’s that important she’ll have to check it herself. That’s why she’s the manager and paid accordingly. You aren’t and it’s not your responsibility.

StoppinBy · 14/12/2022 13:11

Well it will only take her a few minutes and she can then roll back in to bed herself, problem solved. Cheeky bugger.

itsthefinalcountdown1 · 14/12/2022 13:11

35965a · 14/12/2022 11:22

“I am not getting paid so I won’t be doing that”

Literally this. Don't be a pushover.

MusicstillonMTV · 14/12/2022 13:14

It's time to unleash your inner Phoebe Buffay

I wish I could but I don't want to

Viviennemary · 14/12/2022 13:18

Say sorry you are on holiday that day aand your plans may change. If she is difficult contact HR.

UseOfWeapons · 14/12/2022 13:20

NeedAHoliday2021 · 14/12/2022 13:04

I would reply to her final message
“just to ensure absolute clarity on this matter; I am not scheduled to work on 26th December and won’t be logging on outside of my paid working hours. I hope you find a solution but I am unable to provide this as your request conflicts with my pre arranged plans and is outside of my terms and conditions of employment.”

I’m actually angry on your behalf! But then I’m a sucker who is on call permanently without extra pay.

Absolutely this.
and copy it to HR. She’s a CF.

TheGoodEnoughWife · 14/12/2022 13:21

NeedAHoliday2021 · 14/12/2022 13:04

I would reply to her final message
“just to ensure absolute clarity on this matter; I am not scheduled to work on 26th December and won’t be logging on outside of my paid working hours. I hope you find a solution but I am unable to provide this as your request conflicts with my pre arranged plans and is outside of my terms and conditions of employment.”

I’m actually angry on your behalf! But then I’m a sucker who is on call permanently without extra pay.

This is perfect. What a CF she is!

drpet49 · 14/12/2022 13:23

mariahcareyearworm · 14/12/2022 11:16

Don't be specific about your reasons. Just say, sorry it's a bank holiday and I've made plans which mean I won't be able to work that day.

This. Just say no for goodness sake!

CheesenCrackersmm · 14/12/2022 13:23

You are leaving. Tell her you are unavailable to carry out the task due to plans. And zero fucks should be given

TheKitchenWitch · 14/12/2022 13:24

I too am invested in this now. Have you told her no again, OP?

iwasaterribleteen · 14/12/2022 13:24

I'd tell her you doubt you will be able or awake to do it as you plan to have a drink on Christmas evening!

Coffeetree · 14/12/2022 13:26

mariahcareyearworm · 14/12/2022 11:16

Don't be specific about your reasons. Just say, sorry it's a bank holiday and I've made plans which mean I won't be able to work that day.

Yes, this! "I won't be available then, sorry."

CheesenCrackersmm · 14/12/2022 13:26

I would reply to her final message
just to ensure absolute clarity on this matter; I am not scheduled to work on 26th December and won’t be logging on outside of my paid working hours. I hope you find a solution but I am unable to provide this as your request conflicts with my pre arranged plans and is outside of my terms and conditions of employment

This is perfect but end it with 'I trust this clarifies the situation' which is a polite way of saying matter closed.

RedToothBrush · 14/12/2022 13:26

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 🙃

Reply:

"I think you misunderstood me. I have that day as leave. Leave means I will not be logging in under any circumstances as I am using my holiday which I am legally entitled to. If you wish someone to log in, you will need to find someone who will agree to do this on their day off, as I will not be doing so, as per my last email. If their is a problem with this, you will need to refer it to HR as I am within my rights to not work at all on my day off, and I feel that being pressured to do so when I have already stated I won't be is not only unfair but also unlawful"

Go swivel!

KILM · 14/12/2022 13:26

Everyones given loads of great suggestions on wording, i'd just make sure you have 'I will not doing this as i will not be getting paid and do not agree to working this bank holiday' or other maybe better wordinh very clearly in writing to both your boss AND any relevant parties. So everyone knows what the score is.

illiterato · 14/12/2022 13:28

That’s outrageous. For context I used to work in a finance department of a massive company prior to wfh and remote log in being reliable. Someone had to go into the office at 4pm in NYE to download and distribute the year end fx rates to all the other locations. It took 30 mins tops but if you agreed to do it you got the whole day off in lieu. That would be slightly reasonable.