Annoying things your work colleagues do all the time? #3

[emmer_moans]

It's the same where I am, only it's a full-day thing. I've never known anyone be 'allowed' to work though - it's essentially mandatory to go to the Xmas day out and AL isn't allowed.

FUN!!

AL isn't allowed? What if you legitimately needed it off for something personal? To be honest I'd rather work anyway, the day they choose is usually about 3 days before we break up for Christmas (i work in admin in the higher education sector, so we do get lucky in that respect). It's always at a time when i have mega deadlines before Christmas so it's inconvenient to go for lunch at that time anyway.

 

[Some People!]

AL isn't allowed? What if you legitimately needed it off for something personal? To be honest I'd rather work anyway, the day they choose is usually about 3 days before we break up for Christmas (i work in admin in the higher education sector, so we do get lucky in that respect). It's always at a time when i have mega deadlines before Christmas so it's inconvenient to go for lunch at that time anyway.

I'm in HE too - I'd far rather be working for both miserybollocks reasons and, as you say, there are all sorts of loose ends need sorting before the break.

AL must surely be allowed in extenuating circumstances, but I've never had mine be approved. They tell us all in like, May when it will be to give people with caring responsibilities time to sort out their inconvenient lives.
I work just under FT and if this 'do' falls on my non-working day, I have to swap my tit about to accommodate it.

SO. MUCH. FUN.

 

[House of Tea]

Compelled fun is never fun. I have not been to any work social event for the last 10 years. And I never intend to go to one ever again.

 

[mee43]

I certainly wouldn’t go to an event at my current company.
We’re not allowed leave in December either (managers are though!)
I doubt they have an Xmas night out, but I won’t be going if they do.

 

[Ensay]

When people send an email to say "just let me know when you've got a spare few minutes", is it acceptable to say "erm - is the week after next ok?" or even "sorry, but I never will"?

I jest of course, but the same guy who asks me that fairly regularly did it again earlier. I wouldn't mind, but he's senior to me so should know more than he evidently does.

On the Christmas party theme I'm not going to mine this year. I'm not keen on the venue and when I've been previously it's usually consisted of colleagues getting blind drunk and embarrassing themselves. And, to be honest, the three course meal was pretty naff, too. I'd rather stay away from it.

 

[Justwishfulthinking]

When people send an email to say "just let me know when you've got a spare few minutes", is it acceptable to say "erm - is the week after next ok?" or even "sorry, but I never will"?

I have been known to reply with a time a week or so away. I’ll add something along the lines as due to my role being priority based etc. I’ll put in a bit about if they want to clarify the need for the catch up I could maybe readjust it’s priority.

 

[bcfc999]

We have a paid subscription for some software and only one login. One colleague uses it for his coursework and gets arsey when I need to use it for actual work.

 

[HumptyDumptyLou]

The place I work at has a company-wide function four times a year and one of those is an overnight stay in a different location or city. As well as that each team will have two to three social functions a year including an overnight stay as well.

I’m introverted so dread these things because the company events are 200+ people in a room being talked at all day and then dinner, a band, tons of drinking and socialising all night long. The next day there’s a choice of four activities like yoga, exercise or some other hellish things to do. It’s mandatory and if you don’t want to go you have to take annual leave for the two days. I’ve gotten so stressed out about the thought of going that I’ve woken up sick the day of and my manager told me that I needed a doctors certificate to prove that I genuinely was sick.

They organise buses or flights to the overnight destination, which is thoughtful, but it’s exhausting. The other annoying thing is that we don’t get told where any event is until maybe a week before. They like surprising us

The company employs a lot of young people but doesn’t seem to realise that not everyone is in their 20’s or 30’s and not everyone loves socialising. To be promoted you need to network your butt off so people who don’t always have the technical skill are promoted.

There are other good reasons for staying with the company so it’s not all bad but from this time of year onwards it’s party central. Plus everyone wants to make up for missing out on the events during 2020 and 2021.

 

[Some People!]

The place I work at has a company-wide function four times a year and one of those is an overnight stay in a different location or city. As well as that each team will have two to three social functions a year including an overnight stay as well.

I’m introverted so dread these things because the company events are 200+ people in a room being talked at all day and then dinner, a band, tons of drinking and socialising all night long. The next day there’s a choice of four activities like yoga, exercise or some other hellish things to do. It’s mandatory and if you don’t want to go you have to take annual leave for the two days. I’ve gotten so stressed out about the thought of going that I’ve woken up sick the day of and my manager told me that I needed a doctors certificate to prove that I genuinely was sick.

They organise buses or flights to the overnight destination, which is thoughtful, but it’s exhausting. The other annoying thing is that we don’t get told where any event is until maybe a week before. They like surprising us

The company employs a lot of young people but doesn’t seem to realise that not everyone is in their 20’s or 30’s and not everyone loves socialising. To be promoted you need to network your butt off so people who don’t always have the technical skill are promoted.

There are other good reasons for staying with the company so it’s not all bad but from this time of year onwards it’s party central. Plus everyone wants to make up for missing out on the events during 2020 and 2021.

So many horrible things about this! Jackpot!

Why is doing your job and doing it well not enough???

 

[flutternutter]

The place I work at has a company-wide function four times a year and one of those is an overnight stay in a different location or city. As well as that each team will have two to three social functions a year including an overnight stay as well.

I’m introverted so dread these things because the company events are 200+ people in a room being talked at all day and then dinner, a band, tons of drinking and socialising all night long. The next day there’s a choice of four activities like yoga, exercise or some other hellish things to do. It’s mandatory and if you don’t want to go you have to take annual leave for the two days. I’ve gotten so stressed out about the thought of going that I’ve woken up sick the day of and my manager told me that I needed a doctors certificate to prove that I genuinely was sick.

They organise buses or flights to the overnight destination, which is thoughtful, but it’s exhausting. The other annoying thing is that we don’t get told where any event is until maybe a week before. They like surprising us

The company employs a lot of young people but doesn’t seem to realise that not everyone is in their 20’s or 30’s and not everyone loves socialising. To be promoted you need to network your butt off so people who don’t always have the technical skill are promoted.

There are other good reasons for staying with the company so it’s not all bad but from this time of year onwards it’s party central. Plus everyone wants to make up for missing out on the events during 2020 and 2021.

I hate enforced fun. Im a complete introvert. I struggle with depression and anxiety. All the things that make going out a struggle.
I have explained this time and time again in detail to people i work with and they still look at me like im an alien when i say no thank you to a night out

 

[petitspois]

The place I work at has a company-wide function four times a year and one of those is an overnight stay in a different location or city. As well as that each team will have two to three social functions a year including an overnight stay as well.

I’m introverted so dread these things because the company events are 200+ people in a room being talked at all day and then dinner, a band, tons of drinking and socialising all night long. The next day there’s a choice of four activities like yoga, exercise or some other hellish things to do. It’s mandatory and if you don’t want to go you have to take annual leave for the two days. I’ve gotten so stressed out about the thought of going that I’ve woken up sick the day of and my manager told me that I needed a doctors certificate to prove that I genuinely was sick.

They organise buses or flights to the overnight destination, which is thoughtful, but it’s exhausting. The other annoying thing is that we don’t get told where any event is until maybe a week before. They like surprising us

The company employs a lot of young people but doesn’t seem to realise that not everyone is in their 20’s or 30’s and not everyone loves socialising. To be promoted you need to network your butt off so people who don’t always have the technical skill are promoted.

There are other good reasons for staying with the company so it’s not all bad but from this time of year onwards it’s party central. Plus everyone wants to make up for missing out on the events during 2020 and 2021.

That sounds horrendous. Those sort of events are really outdated aren't they? they naturally favour younger employees and those without caring responsibilities and, in this day and age, I'm surprised they get away with forcing employees to attend functions outside their contracted hours.

 

[CatCafe234]

One of the (very few …) benefits of being public sector is that, certainly in my corner, we are prohibited from having any kind of paid-for-by-the-organisation mandatory ‘fun’. The idea of enforced jollity makes me feel ill, and I am very glad that I don’t have to think of ways of dodging it every year. We might have a Christmas lunch at a team level but we organise it, pay for it and it’s taken in our own time. People are free to attend or not and there’s no real pressure, which is the way I like it.

 

[Samf2020]

I dont mind the odd company thing. The issue is that some people just go batshit when given free booze.
My work friend gets really really loud and drinks until they literally close the bar. It just me cringe when people do that, yes its a night out but its still with the people who can fire you.

 

[Sheeeet]

My husband's last company he worked for was quite new and flush with cash, so they put on a fully free Christmas party including bar, milage expenses and nice hotel rooms (my NHS brain cannot comprehend). At least TWO people were fired next day due to drink fuelled arseholery.

Imagine having to explain THAT on your CV!

 

[LennyBriscoe]

I’ve just come across this thread so I’m reading about the Christmas dos - I’m organising a team lunch this year, very informal at a pub near work. We pay for ourselves, if folk want to go back to work that’s fine, if folk want to take a half day and stay out, also fine. I think this is probably just me but it bugs me that even though I added voting buttons saying yes or no, some people STILL haven’t replied .

Obviously I’m taking the lack of replies as “nos” so I’m not sure why it bothers me so much. And don’t even get me started on the “yeses” but I have to chase up deposits…

 

[HoGi]

I’ve just come across this thread so I’m reading about the Christmas dos - I’m organising a team lunch this year, very informal at a pub near work. We pay for ourselves, if folk want to go back to work that’s fine, if folk want to take a half day and stay out, also fine. I think this is probably just me but it bugs me that even though I added voting buttons saying yes or no, some people STILL haven’t replied .

Obviously I’m taking the lack of replies as “nos” so I’m not sure why it bothers me so much. And don’t even get me started on the “yeses” but I have to chase up deposits…

I am in exactly the same boat!

We are having a casual evening do I.e. area booked in a bar and a hot buffet. People can come for as long or as little as they like.

So far out of 70 people I have less than 30% reply and only 1 person pay

Email, with voting buttons, went out over a week ago

 

[LennyBriscoe]

I am in exactly the same boat!

We are having a casual evening do I.e. area booked in a bar and a hot buffet. People can come for as long or as little as they like.

So far out of 70 people I have less than 30% reply and only 1 person pay

Email, with voting buttons, went out over a week ago

I’m glad it’s not just me it frustrates! I thought I’d hit on a foolproof plan - give them one option then it’s only yes or no (rather than loads of places to pick from) and I feel like a pain chasing them up all the time. And as my husband reminds me, every year I say I’m not organising the next one…

 

[HoGi]

I’m glad it’s not just me it frustrates! I thought I’d hit on a foolproof plan - give them one option then it’s only yes or no (rather than loads of places to pick from) and I feel like a pain chasing them up all the time. And as my husband reminds me, every year I say I’m not organising the next one…

I'm the same. I just don't trust anyone else to organise it

 

[LennyBriscoe]

I'm the same. I just don't trust anyone else to organise it

I hear ya! See you here this time next year

 

[Pesky Tarian]

I’m glad it’s not just me it frustrates! I thought I’d hit on a foolproof plan - give them one option then it’s only yes or no (rather than loads of places to pick from) and I feel like a pain chasing them up all the time. And as my husband reminds me, every year I say I’m not organising the next one…

You sound like me! Every year 'well I don't like soup for starter' etc etc .
My team actually text me whilst I was abroad asking me to organise the doo, erm no. On my return someone had booked a venue...the cheapest one...in the middle of no where. I've then had to source a bus making it our most expensive doo yet .