Refusal of a task

Slinky

TWIGLET1234 said:

I have a massive workload this month and deadlines to meet, with one task requiring full concentration, and no interruptions. I do not need to be covering a reception office. 

If the boss wants you to sit in reception and file your nails, that's what you do. It's the bosses prerogative to ask for any reasonable task to be completed. Why are you stressing about a massive workload and deadlines? This isn't your problem anymore if you can't complete it.

TWIGLET1234

Slinky said:

TWIGLET1234 said:

I have a massive workload this month and deadlines to meet, with one task requiring full concentration, and no interruptions. I do not need to be covering a reception office. 

If the boss wants you to sit in reception and file your nails, that's what you do. It's the bosses prerogative to ask for any reasonable task to be completed. Why are you stressing about a massive workload and deadlines? This isn't your problem anymore if you can't complete it.

I’m stressing about the deadlines because that’s who I am unfortunately and I want to get all these tasks tied up before I leave my job. This is why I had planned my resignation for a specific date, so that I can be happy that I’ve left everything up to date and make it easier in the transition period for the company.  These are legal obligation kind of deadlines which will result in fines if missed and I begrudge having to work extra hours to make up hours lost to being a receptionist for a day, when I am not a receptionist. 

Slinky

TWIGLET1234 said:

Slinky said:

TWIGLET1234 said:

I have a massive workload this month and deadlines to meet, with one task requiring full concentration, and no interruptions. I do not need to be covering a reception office. 

If the boss wants you to sit in reception and file your nails, that's what you do. It's the bosses prerogative to ask for any reasonable task to be completed. Why are you stressing about a massive workload and deadlines? This isn't your problem anymore if you can't complete it.

I’m stressing about the deadlines because that’s who I am unfortunately and I want to get all these tasks tied up before I leave my job. This is why I had planned my resignation for a specific date, so that I can be happy that I’ve left everything up to date and make it easier in the transition period for the company.  These are legal obligation kind of deadlines which will result in fines if missed and I begrudge having to work extra hours to make up hours lost to being a receptionist for a day, when I am not a receptionist. 

I used to be one of those people. You get no extra thanks for it.

TWIGLET1234

Slinky said:

TWIGLET1234 said:

Slinky said:

TWIGLET1234 said:

I have a massive workload this month and deadlines to meet, with one task requiring full concentration, and no interruptions. I do not need to be covering a reception office. 

If the boss wants you to sit in reception and file your nails, that's what you do. It's the bosses prerogative to ask for any reasonable task to be completed. Why are you stressing about a massive workload and deadlines? This isn't your problem anymore if you can't complete it.

I’m stressing about the deadlines because that’s who I am unfortunately and I want to get all these tasks tied up before I leave my job. This is why I had planned my resignation for a specific date, so that I can be happy that I’ve left everything up to date and make it easier in the transition period for the company.  These are legal obligation kind of deadlines which will result in fines if missed and I begrudge having to work extra hours to make up hours lost to being a receptionist for a day, when I am not a receptionist. 

I used to be one of those people. You get no extra thanks for it.

Totally agree on that hence my soon to be departure. I think it’s for my own peace of mind to know I did everything outstanding before I leave. 

Sncjw

It is a bit of a health and safety issue. If there were a fire and your trapped no one may realise until too late. 

TWIGLET1234

Sncjw said:

It is a bit of a health and safety issue. If there were a fire and your trapped no one may realise until too late. 

Understand the logic, but the point I’m making is that I intend to refuse to go in to the office regardless. I’m going to sound like a right awkward cow, and there is a lot of background here that would take pages to write and bore everyone. This is the first time I’ve ever behaved like this in 15 years in this employ or any other employ for that matter but I’ve had enough and also don’t need an onward reference 

I just wondered what the likely consequences are of my refusal, but even then I’m not concerned as I’m ready to go. So I guess he lets me go, then he has an issue with nobody to fulfil the legal obligations approaching this month. 

TELLIT01

I don't know the legal situation, but many placed I worked would not allow one person to work in the office alone and the reason given was always one of health and safety.  I've known of overtime being cancelled because they couldn't get two people to work.

Management has the right to dictate whether or not a person can work from home.  The reason/excuse given by the OP for refusal is spurious as they are leaving anyway.  On that basis, the effect on workload is clearly not high on their list of concerns.  The decision is based in great part on the fact that they simply don't want to work from the office because it is far more convenient for them to work from home.

Grumpy_chap

Is this the company that you plan to hand your notice in at the end of June?
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6266906/resignation-etiquette/p1
In the other thread, you were worried about needing to have a meeting, so maybe this visit could be the opportunity to do that and hand your notice in - you can always give more than the 4 weeks if you still want to have the notice start from 1st July.

Whatever you think now about not needing a reference etc., doing something that may result in disciplinary action or dismissal is never wise.

Alfrescodave

Do you have another job lined up for when you resign ?  Asking your boss for a reference might be "interesting"

[Deleted User]

Couldn’t your boss just revoke the agreement to work from home and therefore you will be expected in the office anyway?