staff meeting outside hours

Sambucus_Nigra

pinkprincessangel wrote: »

This is where the advice gets conflicted. HR and the union lady I spoke to have verbally advised to put it in writing that I cannot attend outside my usual hours and the reasons why.

The reason why is that it isn't your contracted hours - and I'd only put something in writing as a response if the request came in writing.......

Ie - an email saying 'can you attend', and a response 'no I can't'.

DVardysShadow

I have just realised WHY the union are suggesting giving a reason in writing for not attending. It is to lay in a paper trail for indirect sex discrimination, which will allow any disciplinary action to be headed off very quickly.

In which case, the letter still needs to be minimal.

Dear <manager>

I write to advise you that I shall not be attending your meeting on Sunday <date>. This is because

• There are no childcare arrangements for my daughter
• The proposed time and date of the meeting is outwith my contracted hours

Yours sincerely

PPA

It needs nothing else

pinkprincessangel

DVardysShadow wrote: »

I have just realised WHY the union are suggesting giving a reason in writing for not attending. It is to lay in a paper trail for indirect sex discrimination, which will allow any disciplinary action to be headed off very quickly.

In which case, the letter still needs to be minimal.

Dear <manager>

I write to advise you that I shall not be attending your meeting on Sunday <date>. This is because

• There are no childcare arrangements for my daughter
• The proposed time and date of the meeting is outwith my contracted hours

Yours sincerely

PPA

It needs nothing else

I agree, I really did want something in writing so I can show proof I've been along the right lines of communication and not been awkward and just telling them no or just not turning up.

satchmo1

I'd suggest not attending, but you do need to advise in advance

Dear <manager>

I write to advise you that I am unable to attend your meeting on Sunday <date>. This is because

• Childcare arrangements for my daughter are not available on Sunday
  
• The proposed time and date of the meeting is outside my contracted hours

I will of course attend any required meetings and training which are arranged during my contracted hours, or at convenient times with sufficient notice to make suitable childcare and transport arrangements.

Yours sincerely

PPA

pinkprincessangel

Given to him in writing today. He's not happy but backed off when I said HR had advised on it.

Mischa8

pinkprincessangel wrote: »

Advice needed:

I work 3 days a week weds to fri, 16.5 a week. I am a single parent with childcare on these days only. I do not work weekends.
However Our new manager has informed me that I need to attend (all staff) a meeting for important paperwork and feedback on a sunday at 9am. I do not have flexible childcare available and I never work on weekends yet I've been informed non-attendance means dismissal.
The buses dont run til 9am, the train doesnt run til after 10am and the company wont pay for private transport. My manager is expecting me to either find someone to care for my daughter while I'm at this meeting, or have her with me there for 3 hours. I will be paid for this but how can i be "available for work" when I have my 3 year old in tow? I am the only person employed there with fixed hours and days. Where do I stand on this?

It's a meeting - on a Sunday. TBH I'd suck it up and go in. Like you say, either bring your DD in with you or find flexible childcare for the 3 hours.

I would however make it clear that this would be the one and only time you are willing to go into work for a meeting on a Sunday. Double check your rights re dismissal if non attendance too.

Re transport - how about asking someone else for a lift, your manager if necessary. Also, if you're paid for this meeting then either drive or get a cab in.

Plenty of other people out there right now who want a job so I can see your manager's POV however unfair it is.

pinkprincessangel

Mischa8 wrote: »

It's a meeting - on a Sunday. TBH I'd suck it up and go in. Like you say, either bring your DD in with you or find flexible childcare for the 3 hours.

I would however make it clear that this would be the one and only time you are willing to go into work for a meeting on a Sunday. Double check your rights re dismissal if non attendance too.

Re transport - how about asking someone else for a lift, your manager if necessary. Also, if you're paid for this meeting then either drive or get a cab in.

Plenty of other people out there right now who want a job so I can see your manager's POV however unfair it is.

So just because there are people wanting jobs you think its ok for him to be the way he is? I have checked my rights and I'm well within them to refuse. My daughter is not insured to be on the premises, so cant come with. Childcare is £4 an hour, 3 hour meeting + 2 hours travel = £20, my earning for the meeting = £17.79. I dont drive, trains and buses arent til 9am (time of meeting itself) at earliest and taxi on top would be extortionate. You seriously think I should go in after all that?
Also as others have noted, if I go once, he'll expect it to be repeated so its all or nothing. And being as there is not an option for next time I cannot attend.

satchmo1

Hi Pink

Glad you decided to stand up to him, after all it isn't your fault the paperwork isn't in the files!

DVardysShadow

Mischa8 wrote: »

... Plenty of other people out there right now who want a job so I can see your manager's POV however unfair it is.

How much should you pay your manager to be allowed to do a NMW job? How many times a day should you touch your forelock or curtsey?

Bahh!

Mischa8

pinkprincessangel wrote: »

So just because there are people wanting jobs you think its ok for him to be the way he is? I have checked my rights and I'm well within them to refuse. My daughter is not insured to be on the premises, so cant come with. Childcare is £4 an hour, 3 hour meeting + 2 hours travel = £20, my earning for the meeting = £17.79. I dont drive, trains and buses arent til 9am (time of meeting itself) at earliest and taxi on top would be extortionate. You seriously think I should go in after all that?
Also as others have noted, if I go once, he'll expect it to be repeated so its all or nothing. And being as there is not an option for next time I cannot attend.

I replied without reading the other replies to this thread.

You have a point. and yes, I agree maybe you should get the unions etc involved.

I'm just saying if you want to keep your job in this tough economic climate, maybe you should be more accommodating.