Question about attendance to an event

SuperCat007

Hello,

My company have said that we must all attend an event offsite which finishes out of hours run by another company we do some contract work for.

There has been no mention of how to get to or from the other site, though transport has been arranged and begrudgingly agreed to be paid for, and no mention of overtime. In addition, due to the location of the site being in a city centre we don't usually commute to this event will likely significantly extend the commute of most who are attending.

Fortunately the whole team (outwardly at least) is really excited to go, I and other managers seem to be the only ones this demand doesn't sit right with.

Out of interest where does the company stand on demanding employees attend this event?

JReacher1

It’s a bit confusing as you say there is no mention of how you are going to get to this site, but then state they are providing transport.

Personally when things like this happen and I don’t want to do it then instead of making waves and being negative I am extremely vocal about how excited I am about going. I will mention it a lot and give off the impression I am really looking forward to it. Then on the day I phone in sick ;-)

El_Torro

Most employment contracts have a clause that states that you can be required to do alternative work that isn't part of your job description, and in a location other than your normal place of work.


Even if your contract doesn't say this do you really want to make a big deal about a one off event? If they were making you do it regularly then I'd understand.

TELLIT01

I'm assuming the event itself is taking place in normal working hours. If that is the case you will need a very good reason not to attend. The company is providing transport so that element is sorted.

Most managers are generally expected to do some unpaid overtime and that may be the response if the subject of payment for additional hours is raised. If overtime is normally paid, then it's not unreasonable to expect the additional time to be paid. You do need to raise the question in advance of the event.

Manxman_in_exile

I once worked on an audit of a plc. There were two offices of the accountancy firm involved, about 250 miles apart. The firm decided to hold a celebratory party mid-way after the audit was signed off - everybody involved was expected to attend.


Transport was provided but didn't get home 'til about 3am (had to work next day).


We weren't paid for it and it was an awful party!

LadyDee

In my last job we were required to attend annual "team building" days at
various conference/hotel venues. Not many wanted to go, but when we'd listened to the boring speeches we had a brilliant time and in spite of ourselves - had a ball. We didn't actually need any team building as, although a huge company, we all got on extremely well, often went out together socially, but the company laid on transport, super meals, a goodish amount behind the bar for the evening, and even paid for overnight accommodation if we wanted it.

Give it a try - you might just surprise yourself.

nicechap

SuperCat007 wrote: »

Hello,

My company have said that we must all attend an event offsite which finishes out of hours run by another company we do some contract work for.

There has been no mention of how to get to or from the other site, though transport has been arranged and begrudgingly agreed to be paid for, and no mention of overtime. In addition, due to the location of the site being in a city centre we don't usually commute to this event will likely significantly extend the commute of most who are attending.

Fortunately the whole team (outwardly at least) is really excited to go, I and other managers seem to be the only ones this demand doesn't sit right with.

Out of interest where does the company stand on demanding employees attend this event?

Any answer will be context dependent - so working on an oil rig and being expected to attend a social event somewhere might seem unrelated and unreasonable, but working in marketing attending product launch events would be normal.

You don't say how long you've worked there - if its less than 2 years you can be let go with no explanation or recourse (save for protected characteristics). Only you know how valuable an asset you are to your boss & company and whether you will be let go.

If you've more than 2 years service, would a general 'snub' to a party who provides income to your company and therefore provides money to pay your wages be a sensible career move?

As a manager what sort of example are you planning on setting?

Do the additional hours attending and commuting to the event bring you below the national minimum wage?

Let us know what you do and how it turns out.

ohreally

What is the "event", is it social, training or what?

ReadingTim

SuperCat007 wrote: »

Hello,

My company have said that we must all attend an event offsite which finishes out of hours run by another company we do some contract work for.

So this isn't just objecting to a request from your employer, it's objecting to a request from a client. Suspect your employer may take a dim view of this, one way or another, so maybe have a think about whether this is a fight you really want to pick...

SuperCat007

Ok, you all seem to have the wrong end of the stick, so I seem to have not explained myself very well.

I don't want to go, but my personal feelings don't really matter as I need my team to attend and participate.

What I wanted advice on is the legality or any comments on whether a company can demand a whole team vacates their normal place of work to attend an event not at their normal site which finishes out of hours for which no transport is arranged and no overtime is agreed? (we have managed to finally get the company to pay for some transport but it was hard work and they were shocked we asked for it).

My concerns are with my team, not myself despite my feelings. As I have known from the start that unless ill, injured or on holiday I have to attend despite the fact that it will mean I will be home 4-5 hours later than normal on a Friday with no recompense.

iammumtoone

legality doesn't really come into play in situations like this and as a manager I am surprised you don't realise this.


It seems the company will take a dim view on those that don't attend.


Anyone under two years service can be let go for no reason and for those with over two years there are plenty of legitimate reasons a company can use to terminate employment.


You might find that those not attending soon find themselves out of a job, of course the company is not going to officially state the non attendance is the reason, that would be wrong, but they don't need to, they will just pick any other of the reasons open to them and use that instead.


Unless the extra time spent (excluding traveling) means the employees will be working for less than min wage there is nothing you can do about it. Employees are generally expected to work extra when required.


I would stop trying to fight for the whole department and concentrate your efforts if you have one employee that can't go for genuine reasons (no childcare, sick relative etc).