How can a work away day be mandatory??

Takeaway_Addict

Annisele wrote: »

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.

Even if its over 2 years employment and you refuse to go it can lead to disciplinary action and potentially dismissal

nearlyrich

jimmy2times wrote: »

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

Except the OP has already tried to get out of it so it would be a tad suspicious if they were ill on the day....

wazza99

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

Even if its over 2 years employment and you refuse to go it can lead to disciplinary action and potentially dismissal

How could it ? what would they argue with ? "failing to follow a reasonable instruction" ?....depends on how far it is away and how they plan the employee to get there.....

I doubt they would follow it up formally too much room for challenge but no doubt they will "black mark" your card.......

If you really don't want to go phone in sick......they cannot argue but ofc no doubt they wont believe you !

Or book the week off.......holiday !

We do the same thing at my work and i've seen the same thing from a few people, some phone sick, some go on hols, some just say no, majority go.......never seen anyone taken down warning route.....

Takeaway_Addict

wazza99 wrote: »

How could it ? what would they argue with ? "failing to follow a reasonable instruction" ?....depends on how far it is away and how they plan the employee to get there.....

I doubt they would follow it up formally too much room for challenge but no doubt they will "black mark" your card.......

If you really don't want to go phone in sick......they cannot argue but ofc no doubt they wont believe you !

Or book the week off.......holiday !

We do the same thing at my work and i've seen the same thing from a few people, some phone sick, some go on hols, some just say no, majority go.......never seen anyone taken down warning route.....

I said can, not would but as you pointed out before, if people don't participate they don't progress within the company as a whole

jimmy2times

nearlyrich wrote: »

Except the OP has already tried to get out of it so it would be a tad suspicious if they were ill on the day....

I agree.
It was more advice for others who may face similar situations in the future.
I can personally vouch for its success!

Undervalued

First of all check your contract.

Sadly though, the vast majority will have a standard clause about travelling for business reasons as required or words to that effect.

If it doesn't and specifies a fixed place of work then you could, I suppose, refuse. It then comes down to how important the firm consider this issue to be.

As others have said if you have worked for less than two years you have no security. Even if you have been there longer there is still a danger that you become "undesirable" and some lawful pretext will be found to dispense with your services.

mumcoll

At one of our awaydays, one of the activities was to HAVE to sing. A few of us felt really uncomfortable and stood out. The next day we were all hauled in the office and b0ll0cked for not taking part (in that bit). Even though at the beginning of the day they showed us a video about thinking for yourself and not to follow the crowd.

dippy3103

I doubt they can force you to stay over night.

But is work always about doing the minimum? Sometimes you have to demonstrate that you are committed

ERICS_MUM

When I worked, I just did whatever was required of me during my paid hours (obviously nothing illegal, dangerous or offensive !!!!).

As others have said, go along for the coursework but go home in the evening.

wazza99

Yes been there and done it, singing, dancing, acting, laying around on bean bags, playing games, indoor olympics....useful ? er.........well i'll let others decide.