I need an excuse not..

[mr.anderson]

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....

Originally Posted by mr.anderson

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

Originally Posted by Kinvig

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.

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]

Yeah, but if they change their mind and do pay him to come in, then he still doesnt get what he wants.

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]

You are right. I think I've been conditioned by working in IT in a hotel too long.

[Biker Biggles]

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Ping

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!