Work meeting at the weekend

glider3560

Question 1

I am employed on a contract that says "39 hours per week, to be worked over 5 days".

Last week, I was told that our colleagues from overseas are visiting for a meeting this week, starting on Sunday (i.e. tomorrow). I was told I should attend this meeting and take a few hours off in the week to compensate.

Problem is:
1. I get the company bus to work, so cannot leave earlier in the week as there is no bus home
2. There is no bus on a Sunday
3. I have already made other plans for this weekend, including having people visit me
4. That would mean I work for 6 days - we do not get paid overtime
5. I already attended a conference (advertising our new service) earlier in the year giving up a Saturday and Sunday with no time off in lieu or recompense (i.e. I worked a 12-day week)

I explained number 3 in an email to my boss earlier in the week, asking if we could rejig the schedule to move the meetings for my project to one of the weekday times. His reply was basic but made me feel bad for not attending. He has even scheduled all the meetings for the project I work on for the Sunday. :mad:

What would you do in this situation? I can't just leave my relatives at my home for a day when they have travelled from overseas to visit. Equally, I don't want to get a poor reputation at work (I've only been there six months or so).

Question 2

We are going out for dinner with said overseas colleagues one evening this week. The "pub" we are visiting is expensive: £6 is the cheapest starter and £16 the cheapest main course. I can't claim this on expenses as I'm not travelling on business. Also I would have to pay for a taxi as there are no buses this late in the evening. What would you do to get out of this meal?

getmore4less

The company should be picking up the tab for the meal out(not pay your own)

if they don't they are taking the micky

If you need transport ask them to prebook/pay for the taxi.

As for the Sunday you could guilt the boss back

you know I use the bus and there are none on Sundays so a bit silly arranging my meetings for that day without checking how I will be getting to the office, Also you have known this visitor has been coming for XXXXX but have not given me enough notice to make sure I am available which I am not.

Don't let incompetent management make you feel guilty

If you know the visitors bypass the boss and see what they can do to keep you up to date with the project, asking how long the trip has been planned, slipping that your boss gave little notice which is why you could not attend.


You also have to consider that this has been done deliberately and what are the reason behind it.