View Full Version : I need an excuse not..
..to come into work on Saturday morning. We normally only ever work Monday - Friday but being in IT we have to do some system maintenance and moving some servers about.
However - this coincides with my best mate picking up his first bike and he's asked me to come along for his first ride.
We have a team of 3 and the two other guys are coming in but they are more sys admin/comms orientated than myself. I write a lot of reports and deal with a lot of Oracle / Database issues (anyway..that's besides the by).
So...I need a good excuse - something that would last all morning as they would only be in til lunch time!
:elephant:
grh1904
21-04-09, 12:15 PM
When were you made aware of the requirement to work????
Can't you just say, sorry not enough notice I already had a pre-arranged something-or-other to do on Saturday, perhaps if you give me more notice the next time???
It was all a little up in the air - but it first got mentioned a couple of weeks ago and confirmed Yesterday :(
I want to add - We will not be getting paid to come in on Saturday OR time off in lieu.
missyburd
21-04-09, 12:23 PM
Ask Hovis :-P
grh1904
21-04-09, 12:25 PM
I want to add - We will not be getting paid to come in on Saturday OR time off in lieu.
In that case if it was me, I'd tell them to remove themselves from my presence in a one directional fornicating manner.........................
F**k right off.
Biker Biggles
21-04-09, 12:26 PM
Religious reasons------Have you considered becoming Jewish for the weekend?
plowsie
21-04-09, 12:26 PM
Tell them you have a weekend away on the bike booked and you've already paid for your accomodation.
You work in IT. It's par for the course that you may have to come in occasionally out-of-hours.
Stop being workshy & do your job! There are a few people out there who would love to have work right now. Sort out your priorities!
Ask your friend to pick his bike up later in the day when you'll be free.
Just tell them you can't make it.
I am a sysadmin and have been in the same position, they can always reschedule it if you are required and genuinely can't make it.
Dan
Stop being workshy & do your job! There are a few people out there who would love to have work right now. Sort out your priorities!
Yes please! A job would be cool. :cool:
Asking your friend to pickup the bike at a different time could also work.
Biker Biggles
21-04-09, 12:28 PM
You work in IT. It's par for the course that you may have to come in occasionally out-of-hours.
Stop being workshy & do your job! There are a few people out there who would love to have work right now. Sort out your priorities!
Ask your friend to pick his bike up later in the day when you'll be free.
Is this a modern variation on what my Mum used to say when I didnt eat my dinner?
"Think of all the starving children in Africa.You dont know how lucky you are":rolleyes::?:
check weather forecast..make sure bike is definately ready..book a plumber/ gas man / electrician to drop by on saturday ;)
grh1904
21-04-09, 12:35 PM
You work in IT. It's par for the course that you may have to come in occasionally out-of-hours.
Stop being workshy & do your job! There are a few people out there who would love to have work right now. Sort out your priorities!
Ask your friend to pick his bike up later in the day when you'll be free.
You're right, there are people out there who would love to work, but have we not moved on from draconian times?
Most people work in order to live, not live to work. Why shouldn't someone at least be compensated for their out of pocket expenses, ie how far is it this chaps workplace and does he have to pay to park when there etc.
It sounds as if the employers are taking a bit of a liberty, they could at least give some TOIL.
who do you work for if you don't mind me asking we've just had an email to say IT are doing maintenance this weekend and the servers will be down
plowsie
21-04-09, 12:42 PM
who do you work for if you don't mind me asking we've just had an email to say IT are doing maintenance this weekend and the servers will be down
hahahahahahahaaaaaa
You're right, there are people out there who would love to work, but have we not moved on from draconian times?
Most people work in order to live, not live to work. Why shouldn't someone at least be compensated for their out of pocket expenses, ie how far is it this chaps workplace and does he have to pay to park when there etc.
It sounds as if the employers are taking a bit of a liberty, they could at least give some TOIL.
A couple of hours one-off on a Saturday morning is not draconian. As an IT employee you know that you may be expected to work out of hours as it's the only time you can take servers down without the rest of the workforce noticing!
I don't see the issue. He's stated that it'll only be the morning so he can meet his friend in the afternoon.
If he's so bothered abotu working on a Saturday why not ask to make it the Friday night - or the Sunday?
Edit: If he checks his contract, there'll probably be a line in there about working out of hours.
grh1904
21-04-09, 12:52 PM
A couple of hours one-off on a Saturday morning is not draconian. As an IT employee you know that you may be expected to work out of hours as it's the only time you can take servers down without the rest of the workforce noticing!
I don't see the issue. He's stated that it'll only be the morning so he can meet his friend in the afternoon.
If he's so bothered abotu working on a Saturday why not ask to make it the Friday night - or the Sunday?
Yes, but look at it the other way.
He has a CONTRACT of employment that sets out hours of work and remuneration for said hours. If he turned to his employer and stated that he was taking time off during his contracted hours then he should expect a wage packet with slightly less in it at the end of the week.
Whilst I'm no trade unionist, there are those who, years ago, worked to try and create a system of "a fair days pay for a days work".
Everyone nowadays can expect to work out of hours, whether in IT or not, all I suggesting is that some form of reasonable return could and should be expected, even if it's one of the bosses saying that "T" break is at 10am and he/she will be nipping out to the cafe to buy the bacon butties out of the petty cash.
Even if it is a one-off, it's good for morale and ensures that in a month or 3 when it needs to be done again there will be people willing to put themselves out for a couple of hours.
hahahahahahahaaaaaa
it is true :D they have problems with the servers and email servers at the min oh and we implemented oracle recently thats why i asked ;)
gruntygiggles
21-04-09, 01:34 PM
What time are you wanted in the office and what time is your friend picking his bike up? If you can go to the office at 8 and start the work, then leave at 10 or 11 to meet your friend, you'll be doing due diligence to both parties. If you brush off work for your friend, you're not being very fair to your colleagues, but I also do think you should be able to come to some compromise with work so that you can go for a ride with your friend.
Hope you can work it out, but remember how you would feel if you were working out of hours and found out that a colleague that should also be working was off enjoying themselves leaving you to do all the work.
Most contracts within IT will state that you can be required on occasion to complete out of hours work with 48 hours notice. Remuneration for this depends on the company and what they put in the contract, but you probably will have signed a contract with this in it somewhere.
Just playing devils advocate I guess. I'd love to be able to get you out of work, but I just think there's a fairer way of going about it than finding an excuse and not showing up.
Good luck and I hope your friend has a good first ride on his new bike......what's he getting?
MCN_LiamM
21-04-09, 02:24 PM
Tell you what Chasey... I'll work on Saturday for you and you can do live coverage of WSB Phillip Island weekend. Working from midnight through to roughly mid day for both qualifying and races :smt044
Seriously though, I know it sucks working on a weekend but it's just something you have to put up with. Just turn up an hour later on Monday or something if you're that fussed
plowsie
21-04-09, 02:34 PM
Tell you what Chasey... I'll work on Saturday for you and you can do live coverage of WSB Phillip Island weekend. Working from midnight through to roughly mid day for both qualifying and races :smt044
I'm working Saturday too, I really don't wanna, you want to swap? :grin:
shonadoll
21-04-09, 02:50 PM
Is this a modern variation on what my Mum used to say when I didnt eat my dinner?
"Think of all the starving children in Africa.You dont know how lucky you are":rolleyes::?:
It is pretty apt these days though, loads of people are getting their hours cut.
shonadoll
21-04-09, 02:51 PM
Surely you can rearrange the bike collection? I think you should go in, if one of my colleagues did that I'd not be happy-do you get on with them, and coujld swap a shift even?
I want to add - We will not be getting paid to come in on Saturday OR time off in lieu.
I take it you,re not in a union then ? tell em you want paying or time off in lieu and that you,re not a charity, btw sat working is usually paid at between time and a third and time and a half
Miss Alpinestarhero
21-04-09, 03:53 PM
I understand how you feel - you've been asked to work out-of-hours, not get paid for it and was told at a late notice. Did you say that you could work on saturday when you were asked?
if you have initially agreed (despite knowing you had plans to go with your mate to pick up the bike) then Im not sure how you could get out of it apart from the usual sickie/family crisis excuse
Maria
jimmy__riddle
21-04-09, 03:59 PM
in my area of work people work many hours more than they are paid for, some people i would estimate working 70hr weeks sometimes despite the 40hr pay.
im sure one extra half day wont hurt, your boss might look at you better for it.
BanditPat
21-04-09, 04:46 PM
Your not getting paid, tell them you have something planned. If they have a problem with that then tell them your not going to put off something you planned to do so you can come into work for free. If they still have a problem then tell them to **** off
fizzwheel
21-04-09, 05:06 PM
OK I work in I.T. I do alot of out of hours work, My rules is, if you dont want to pay me then I'm not coming in. My compromise is that I take time off in lieu, which I am doing at the moment, because we've been asked to cut down costs due to the current economic climate.
In your position I'd just explain that you'd made plans because it wasnt confirmed which saturday it was and that you're not happy about doing it for no pay. then offer the compromise of taking time off in lieu and re-arrange to meet your mate later on in the day or on Sunday.
You dont want to be seen to be rocking the boat, but you also need to make it clear that you have a life outside of work.
in my area of work people work many hours more than they are paid for, some people i would estimate working 70hr weeks sometimes despite the 40hr pay.
im sure one extra half day wont hurt, your boss might look at you better for it.
Who do you work for ?
mr.anderson
21-04-09, 07:40 PM
Back to the OP, you don't want to work because you'd rather be out with your mate. You want an excuse not a moral judgement. Lets face it, server maintenance never takes a couple of hours - you'll be there well into the afternoon.
So, I think a "This saturday? What terrible timing. My bike's due a service and I need to be at the bike shop on saturday morning." Not necessarily the truth, but not necessarily untrue either....
Back to the OP, you don't want to work because you'd rather be out with your mate. You want an excuse not a moral judgement. Lets face it, server maintenance never takes a couple of hours - you'll be there well into the afternoon.
So, I think a "This saturday? What terrible timing. My bike's due a service and I need to be at the bike shop on saturday morning." Not necessarily the truth, but not necessarily untrue either....
Or he could just say if Im not being paid Im not coming in, I mean presumably theres some benefit to the work being done, which in turn would mean that costs will be involved so why should he work for free when others, presumably will be getting financially reimbursed, seems really easy to me ;)
You work in IT. It's par for the course that you may have to come in occasionally out-of-hours.
Stop being workshy & do your job! There are a few people out there who would love to have work right now. Sort out your priorities!
I'm one of the jobless, but dude... that's a pretty annoying thing to say. :lol:
Having a job is all well and good, provided they'll pay you for time spent in the office on a weekend. We all expect to have to stay late without pay to get the odd job done, but seriously...
Weekends are a totally different kettle of fish and expecting employees to go in without pay is pretty shoddy.
mr.anderson
21-04-09, 08:00 PM
Yeah, but if they change their mind and do pay him to come in, then he still doesnt get what he wants.
Jamiebridges123
21-04-09, 08:03 PM
Well FWIW a delivery driver at work today said it's going to be raining/snowing on Saturday, so I'd just go to work.
Well thats different, but no one should be expected to work for free, I mean I work for me family why should a family dip out cos some tight ares doesnt want to pay his staff ?
mr.anderson
21-04-09, 08:13 PM
You are right. I think I've been conditioned by working in IT in a hotel too long.
Biker Biggles
21-04-09, 08:19 PM
OK I work in I.T. I do alot of out of hours work, My rules is, if you dont want to pay me then I'm not coming in. My compromise is that I take time off in lieu, which I am doing at the moment, because we've been asked to cut down costs due to the current economic climate.
In your position I'd just explain that you'd made plans because it wasnt confirmed which saturday it was and that you're not happy about doing it for no pay. then offer the compromise of taking time off in lieu and re-arrange to meet your mate later on in the day or on Sunday.
You dont want to be seen to be rocking the boat, but you also need to make it clear that you have a life outside of work.
Exactly.Kinvigs attitude of "you are lucky to have a job so get in and work for free"is frankly outrageous IMO.Being flexible about when you come in is one thing,but you dont get ought for nought and that goes for employers as well.
dissuade
21-04-09, 08:22 PM
tell them you've got some disease that is curable and leaves no trace, and where they won't ask any questions later. like d and v, or the clap.
Having a job is all well and good, provided they'll pay you for time spent in the office on a weekend. We all expect to have to stay late without pay to get the odd job done, but seriously...
Contracts of Employment always have some little caveat somewhere - looking at my latest contract it states, "Due to the nature of your job, you may be required to work additional hours including hours at weekends or during holidays...you are not entitled to pay for additional hours".
I've had similar clauses in different jobs. I accept it due to to the role I do! I imagine the original poster has a similar clause too. If so & he doesn't like it, he shouldn't have signed the contract!
His colleagues are working this weekend. Shouldn't he be helping them as part of the team?!!! If he doens't want to work then I would suggest he bocomes a contractor!
Exactly.Kinvigs attitude is frankly outrageous IMO
I don't think so. Not really. Work don't owe you a living. AND you don't owe work a living. If you don't like it - leave and find a more acceptable job.
Biker Biggles
21-04-09, 08:34 PM
Being made to do work without pay is pretty close to a definition of slavery,which we outlawed nearly 2 centuries ago.If thats in your contract Id contest it legally and see what gives.
I take pride in doing a good job. As an IT worker, I accept that I may have to work the occasional weekend. As far as I see it, it's all part of delivering a good service. The OP has stated that weekend working is not a usual occurance. I don't see what his problem is - apart from the fact that he want's to be hooning around with his mate.
Biker Biggles
21-04-09, 08:49 PM
Nothing wrong with taking pride in doing a good job and providing a good service,but you work for money,we all do.I too work at weekends and all manner of odd hours,but I never would work for free.
Any employer that demands work for free doesnt deserve contientous staff IMO.
I think we could go all round the houses with this and never agree on a mutually acceptable outcome.
I'm going to hang fire on responding further until the Original Poster posts again - he can view the differing viewpoints (which is obviously what he was after) and take it from there!
Lots of posts - I lost it as it moved onto the second page! lol
I am more than happy to work on an evening from home and I get into the office an hour early every day (almost without fail) and don't expect anything in return. But my weekends are my weekends.
I am in the process of coming to a compromise of coming in at 0830 and leaving and 1030...by which we will have more than 'broken the back' of the work load.
jimmy__riddle
22-04-09, 01:13 PM
Who do you work for ?
University
Scientific research
who do you work for if you don't mind me asking...
A company that makes industrial repair compounds and repair composites.
HTH :p
A company that makes industrial repair compounds and repair composites.
HTH :p
not us then i work for a construction company just thought the timing was impeccable thats all
glad you got it sorted tho
University
Scientific research
But why work for nowt ? who does it benefit ? you or the employer ? as Ive said before I work for my family, I mean dont get me wrong Ive done the odd hour or two here and there to help out, sadly, working in transport there,s very little loyalty either way and the odd hour here and there are usually forgotten about when a favour is needed the the other way.
jimmy__riddle
22-04-09, 03:03 PM
But why work for nowt ? who does it benefit ? you or the employer ? as Ive said before I work for my family, I mean dont get me wrong Ive done the odd hour or two here and there to help out, sadly, working in transport there,s very little loyalty either way and the odd hour here and there are usually forgotten about when a favour is needed the the other way.
benefits both.
More work = better reputation and more results.
Also science is a lot like trying to get famous, only within the scientific community. the more high quality work you get done, the more you get known.
benefits both.
More work = better reputation and more results.
Also science is a lot like trying to get famous, only within the scientific community. the more high quality work you get done, the more you get known.
Maybe thats the difference between academia and the rest of us, I mean look, if you are happy to work a lot of unpaid hours then who am I to criticise ? ;)
jimmy__riddle
22-04-09, 03:12 PM
Maybe thats the difference between academia and the rest of us, I mean look, if you are happy to work a lot of unpaid hours then who am I to criticise ? ;)
dont get me wrong, i would prefer to be paid for every hour i work, and I admit I don't work massively over the paid amount unlike many in the profession. But its also a matter of pride in your work, being able to acheive more. Also knowing that in the area I work in the research could save many lives.
I guess it depends on which industry and individual attitude.
dont get me wrong, i would prefer to be paid for every hour i work, and I admit I don't work massively over the paid amount unlike many in the profession. But its also a matter of pride in your work, being able to acheive more. Also knowing that in the area I work in the research could save many lives.
I guess it depends on which industry and individual attitude.
Very true, James very true :)
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