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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:
GimmeBiscuits · 14/12/2022 17:16

Dear CF
There seems to have been a misunderstanding. Boxing Day is a Bank Holiday and I will not be working, therefore I will not be checking emails, or undertaking any unpaid work.
Best wishes stick it up your arse
OP

Namechangenoidea · 14/12/2022 17:20

You have to say no!!!! Why does her holiday overrule yours. Don’t you dare do it!

fairydust11 · 14/12/2022 17:22

Purple52 · 14/12/2022 15:40

Phone her at 7am on Boxing Day and tell her your internet isn’t working ….. make sure you say “sorry to disturb you, but it’s ok you can go back to bed afterwards”

or possibly even on Xmas eve/day - so you don’t have to get up so early!

yiuve already handed in your notice! What are you scared of?

Agree with above. What can she do? You’re leaving anyway.
Personally I’d be inclined to sort everything out (ie- say goodbyes) before Christmas with the plan to not go back in January at all, if you can afford to do so.
Also on the day I would not log on & turn my phone off & not respond to any messages, tbh I wouldn’t engage with or speak to or email the CF again, especially if I already had a new job lined up but that’s me.
She sounds awful.

WisherWood · 14/12/2022 17:30

Just reply 'no pay, no way'. I don't think she's going to get the message if you're polite.

Mummyoflittledragon · 14/12/2022 17:33

I hope you’ve told your manager where to stick this request.

scottishnames · 14/12/2022 17:34

For heaven's sake, everyone, stop suggesting things such as being unable to work because of hangover. That sort of thing could easily come up in future job searches (especially if posted to a hostile manager) and could seriously damage OP's career prospects.

As several previous posters have said, short and simple is the best. Something like 'As I have said in my previous email, I will be on leave and therefore will not , repeat not, be performing this task. '

Copies to manager's boss, to HR and (if you have a union) to union rep also.

lieselotte · 14/12/2022 17:35

I think this response still covers your update.

Sorry I have the 26th off so you'll have to find someone who is working then to do it. I don't get up early to do work on my days off.

Slightly tweaked, remove the "sorry". No apologies required.

Original poster
OatMilkLattes · 14/12/2022 17:52

Hi everyone! Thanks so much, sorry had a mad afternoon and didn’t get a chance to check back on this until now.

I told her I can’t because I have guests and I would end up disturbing them (as they will be sleeping in the lounge) and she just didn’t reply.

So I’m going to assume that she knows I’m not going to be logging on and she’s sorting an alternative.

I don’t want to disclose the task as it might be a bit outing, but I will tell you I don’t work in an industry that saves lives or deals with billions of pounds! So really not a life or death situation.

Thanks again everyone for letting me rant and giving some good advice - I feel intimidated by her and she makes it hard for me to say no to anything xx

OP posts:
Choconut · 14/12/2022 18:07

Well done OP, she's a complete CF.

Smartstuffed · 14/12/2022 18:10

Yes, well done. Interesting that she hasn't replied to your last message perhaps she's sorting an alternative. Or maybe she's ignoring or will say she didn't see it. If she doesn't reply or acknowledge it within a reasonable timescale I'd email:

'In case my last message was missed and for the avoidance of any doubt, I will not be working on Boxing Day.'

Hopefully though the message has got through to her entitledness!

newfence · 14/12/2022 18:13

Well done, OP!! 👏👏👏

Have a lovely Christmas 🎄

JassyRadlett · 14/12/2022 18:21

Brilliant update, well done!

I'm incredibly invested in this thread as I'm now in my seventh hour of urgent care then A&E and now waiting for a surgeon to stitch up DS's face. You've cheered me right up.

snoodles · 14/12/2022 19:30

OatMilkLattes · 14/12/2022 17:52

Hi everyone! Thanks so much, sorry had a mad afternoon and didn’t get a chance to check back on this until now.

I told her I can’t because I have guests and I would end up disturbing them (as they will be sleeping in the lounge) and she just didn’t reply.

So I’m going to assume that she knows I’m not going to be logging on and she’s sorting an alternative.

I don’t want to disclose the task as it might be a bit outing, but I will tell you I don’t work in an industry that saves lives or deals with billions of pounds! So really not a life or death situation.

Thanks again everyone for letting me rant and giving some good advice - I feel intimidated by her and she makes it hard for me to say no to anything xx

It sounds like something that would happen in retail!!

Thedoglovesmemore · 14/12/2022 19:34

So rude she hasn’t replied but for the avoidance of doubt I would email a confirmation of your text conversation.

well done OP. Enjoy your Xmas!

MysteryBelle · 14/12/2022 20:17

Well done!

underneaththeash · 14/12/2022 21:27

You say nothing - if anyone complains - you were on leave.

DirectionToPerfection · 14/12/2022 21:37

If she dares try to pressure you again, forward the email straight to HR.

category12 · 14/12/2022 21:58

Cover your arse by sending a follow up email ccing in whoever is picking up her responsibilities while she's on annual leave, so that she doesn't say it was all arranged that you would pick up the task but you must have forgotten or something.

PuppyMonkey · 14/12/2022 22:33

I told her I can’t because I have guests and I would end up disturbing them (as they will be sleeping in the lounge) and she just didn’t reply.

So I’m going to assume that she knows I’m not going to be logging on and she’s sorting an alternative.

Hope she’s got the message OP but… I don’t think I’d just assume anything with someone so shite!

Newestname002 · 15/12/2022 02:49

category12 · 14/12/2022 21:58

Cover your arse by sending a follow up email ccing in whoever is picking up her responsibilities while she's on annual leave, so that she doesn't say it was all arranged that you would pick up the task but you must have forgotten or something.

Good idea - I second this, OP. Then you can completely switch off - and with a clear conscience - as the responsibility is definitely hers. 🌹

MandaLynn · 15/12/2022 08:37

category12 · 14/12/2022 21:58

Cover your arse by sending a follow up email ccing in whoever is picking up her responsibilities while she's on annual leave, so that she doesn't say it was all arranged that you would pick up the task but you must have forgotten or something.

100% this

And if you don't know who she passed that task to, fwd the email to her manager. As you're leaving anyway, no need to tiptoe around it.

BobDear · 15/12/2022 10:31

Agree with CC'ing as suggested above. She hasn't replied so that she can claim the last correspondence was her telling you to do it. She will insist that your 'no' went into her spam or some such shite.

Resend your reply, and put at the top - "Am resending as I didn't get a response so wanted to be sure you were clear that this task isn't currently covered. CC'ing 'your line manager to be on the safe side! Merry Christmas all".

Original poster
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

OP posts:
category12 · 15/12/2022 11:06

Just hit reply to all "Apologies, I will be on annual leave and unable to complete this task, please make alternative arrangements. Kind regards, OML."

GoldenCupidon · 15/12/2022 11:06

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

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