Christmas Eve - can they do this?

abrown234

My business have decided today that they would tell everyone that they intend to close the building at 2pm on Christmas Eve (wow, so generous i hear you say...) as some sort of treat.

Then then said, but you all have to make the time up in the new year.

We have no choice and this just seems like a joke to everyone honestly - absolutely appalling from management in my view - can they actually do this? We'd rather just work the last 2/3 hours than owe them in the new year but are being told thats not possible they are closing the building and turfing everyone out, its like some sort of devious little screw you to all employees honestly.

Adam

Sandtree

An employer can force you to take holiday by giving you sufficient notice (which they are well in excess of) and so its really a question of would you rather be paid in full for December and have to do 2/3 hours overtime in the new year unpaid or would you prefer your December pay to be docked a half days pay but no need to make it up?

Marcon

abrown234 said:

My business have decided today that they would tell everyone that they intend to close the building at 2pm on Christmas Eve (wow, so generous i hear you say...) as some sort of treat.

Then then said, but you all have to make the time up in the new year.

We have no choice and this just seems like a joke to everyone honestly - absolutely appalling from management in my view - can they actually do this? We'd rather just work the last 2/3 hours than owe them in the new year but are being told thats not possible they are closing the building and turfing everyone out, its like some sort of devious little screw you to all employees honestly.

Adam

Of course they can do it. Why it's a bright idea if it's creating such a massive 'anti' reaction from employees is another matter - or are you just assuming 'everyone' is reacting as strongly as you are?

london21

They are just showing themselves. Not much you can do.
Some employers are better than others.
When I worked in banking we had half day for Christmas eve.
My current employer we get Christmas eve off.
But different companies and different requirements. 
I used to start work at 9am, my current employer is 8am start. 

McKneff

When I worked finishing work earlier on Christmas eve was a godsend. To get last minute shopping.
Preparing and endless list of chores in readiness for Christmas day. 
It was for us females anyway, all the males just trailed the pubs...

Sandtree

Half day Xmas eve is fairly standard for non-customer facing staff in our world too.

Because I'm working with the head of Internal Comms I know that this year there will be a late announcement that actually everyone will be given the whole day off to thank for efforts during Covid etc which isnt so good if you're on a day rate basis.

The real question is if you'll actually be made to work it back next year... a company a while back said people could leave the office to watch the World Cup and make the time up (or go into a few football meeting rooms and work with the TV on in the background and not have to make time up). The reality is that most go beyond contracted hours and didnt hear of anyone explicitly being made to work the extra time back (but then never saw anyone take more than one or two matches off)

Thrugelmir

abrown234 said:

We have no choice and this just seems like a joke to everyone honestly - absolutely appalling from management in my view - can they actually do this? We'd rather just work the last 2/3 hours than owe them in the new year but are being told thats not possible they are closing the building and turfing everyone out, its like some sort of devious little screw you to all employees honestly.

Look for another job if this aggrieves so much. Your reaction isn't going to have passed unnoticed. 

Dakta

We're a bit the opposite, everyone would rather to finish early even if it costs them but officially we have to remain.

and I say cost very loosely because everyone can make up the hours and most likely will.

happyc84

this is why we have a one sided business model in the uk. How many extra hours do the staff do in the year. Unpaid 0vertime. 

This company should be shown Christmas carol. Mr Scrooge.

Dakta

looking from the other side, some functions are essential to be manned -   not just from the management viewpoint

It's a toughie, personally I'd love to finish early, but I can see why others might want the hours. Business needs factor in there somewhere too as do the client's

Thrugelmir

happyc84 said:

this is why we have a one sided business model in the uk. How many extra hours do the staff do in the year. Unpaid 0vertime. 

Output per worker is higher in the US, France and Germany than the UK.