How can a work away day be mandatory??

Sambora85

I've got an away day out in the middle of nowhere next month, I'll be honest I absolutely hate them and have done everything I can to stay behind and not go. There's also things going on with my family that make it difficult for me to leave them, even for a night.

I've got responsibilities at home and being away, even for a night, is my idea of hell - particularly as I can't keep in touch with anyone at home because I'm in the middle of nowhere with no mobile signal.

I've tried to explain my situation to my managers but they aren't prepared to listen to my reasons why I don't want to be away from my family, and just tell me that its mandatory - although I'm not sure how it can be mandatory when I have to be away from home.

Is there anything I can do, besides phone in sick, which I really don't want to do...??

TBagpuss

What does your contract say?
Is it essential for you to be away overnight, or could you go for the day, and come back (even if this was late evening)
Why can you not contact your family using a land-line? Can you check direct with the venue that it has landlines, and whether or not it has wi-fi
,and (depending on the specifics of the family issues) arrange with family members that you will call them at specific times. Do you know for a fact that there is no mobile signal?

Do you have an HR department you can speak to?

It may be that attending at the day is mandatory, for instance if it is training or similar, but that staying over night is not. Is it possible that your dislike for the away day has come across to your amangers and they think your other concerns are a way of getting out of the day, and so are treating them less seriously.

Takeaway_Addict

Sambora85 wrote: »

I've got an away day out in the middle of nowhere next month, I'll be honest I absolutely hate them and have done everything I can to stay behind and not go. There's also things going on with my family that make it difficult for me to leave them, even for a night.

I've got responsibilities at home and being away, even for a night, is my idea of hell - particularly as I can't keep in touch with anyone at home because I'm in the middle of nowhere with no mobile signal.

I've tried to explain my situation to my managers but they aren't prepared to listen to my reasons why I don't want to be away from my family, and just tell me that its mandatory - although I'm not sure how it can be mandatory when I have to be away from home.

Is there anything I can do, besides phone in sick, which I really don't want to do...??

Suck it up?

Does the place have WIFI? If so you can get messaging services on your phone through this.

TELLIT01

As TBagpuss has said, the part of the event during normal working hours may be mandatory but it's unlikely that they can force you stay outside that time. You have said that you have responsibilities at home so simply tell your manager that you will attend the day but will be leaving at your normal day end time.

McKneff

How long have you worked there.
If its less than 2 years then while youre out I would make an appointment with the job centre.


The main reason, you state in your original post, before mentioning anything about family is that you hate them and try anything and everthing to stay at home.


Don't be such a baby....

wazza99

Simple, tell them you will not be going, you will be going into your normal work place as normal. End of.

HOWEVER......be prepared to take the flack that will follow, only you can decide if the fallout is worth it.

They cannot make you go anywhere, i assume your an adult ? with a sane mind.

I've come across these "managers" saying these things are "mandatory".....rubbish....its called bullying........

But and i say it again, the easiest option is to go, the hardest thing is not too, only you can decide if your future employment with this company is important....they wont sack you for not going but they may/will make your life more difficult, though of course that may come in subtle methods.

A compromise as mentioned, is go in your own car for the day event and then leave, usually they go for that, just say you have family commitments that require you home, they can't argue.

pinpin

take a sickie?

agrinnall

I can only echo McKneff's final comment. If you winge and moan enough you might get out of going, but don't expect your employer to see you as a team player and offer you any future advancement in your career.

Annisele

Ultimately your employer can't legally make you go - because that would be kidnapping - so I think the real question is what will happen if your employer insists you do go but you choose not to.

If you've worked there less than two years, your employer can legally fire you for (pretty much) any reason. Unless you can show some sort of unlawful discrimination (which you might be able to do, depending on exactly what your family situation is) you'd be stuffed. Even if you could show unlawful discrimination, proving it would be expensive and wouldn't get you your job back.

wazza99

Exactly, no-one can force you to do anything but as always consider the outcome.....and look tbh we do these at work and the thought and stress of going is sometimes far worse than the event, they can even be fun !......welll.....er.....sometimes....

Its just part and parcel of our Americanisation....

jimmy2times

the trick is to pretend to be looking forward to it. Call in sick on teh day and say you have a VERY 'upset stomach' - pretend to be gutted about missing it.
Arouses no suspicion if done correctly