When your boss asks you to come in on your day off, it is important to be honest and tell them why you are unavailable. I usually just say "sorry I can't, I have plans already" short and sweet. Press Esc to cancel. Its human nature that, when saying no to someone, we feel as though we have to justify ourselves. ET. I hope you understand. It is very much possible to find people who have such a mentality and wouldnt back down when told that they should work on their day off. 2023 DeltaQuest Media Limited. Unfortunately for most workers the answer is: yes. Other employers cut hours on holidays. Keep your boss updated about potentially calling out of work the next day if needed. But what happens on your day off? In that case, youll end up having to write an excuse letter for absence anyway. It can also be a good idea to have this plan in place before you make your request for time off to help boost your chances of getting it approved. Thank you for sharing your article with the CustomerExperience.io community! Lead with positivity. Next time youre asked to come into work during your time off, make sure to communicate to your boss that you need to take a step back and focus on other matters. Arent you tired of them always knocking on your office door? Most non-unionized employees can be forced to show up to work on their scheduled days off. But, my question is how to avoid getting the calls FROM YOUR BOSS An email is always the best way to go since youll both have a timestamped, written record, but some bosses may prefer you text them as well. Id love to help you out but, unfortunately, I just have far too many things to catch up on today, and I wont have time sorry! People need to work 8 hours a day, but can flex around those core hours, so that Person A can work 9-5 most days but switch to 7am to 3pm (or 10am to 6pm) on days when they need to take care of personal things. I Tried Being Reasonable But I Didnt Like It - Steve DiGioia, I Tried Being Reasonable But I Didnt Like It - Start Business. It could be your health, family, a hobby or you needed a personal day. Closed mouths dont get fed, and issues wont get resolved unless theyre addressed. Do your employees fully understand what is asked of them and under what guidelines they are expected to work? Heres a look at how to tell your employer you wont be available at work, depending on why you need time off. It is your dutyto explain that wouldnt be able to come because you are sick. For people watching this, do that every 24 hours, do it while you're brushing your teeth or whatever you're doing." Of course, if youre available next time, then happily say yes. Simple things, turn your phone off every night for five minutes. Can You Take A Day Off Work If Your Pet Dies. Follow these steps if you are forced to work: Your visible symptoms may help convince them you should not be there. Discussing your plans with your boss and having a back and forth helps you come to an agreement on the best way to take your vacation. No matter your position, clients, vendors, supervisors and coworkers will ask for both your time and attention. Its a professional courtesy to tell your employer to feel free to reach out to you for any questions or discussions regarding your time off. So, if you feel you want to rest on that said day without stepping out to go to the workplace, then do so. Debris found near the Titanic was confirmed to belong to the missing Titan submersible. Reach out to your supervisor or human resources department if you cant find these policies in the employee handbook. Ive been at this job for years and Im finally trying to grow a backbone but saying no is so hard and I want to know specific/different phrases to decline working. You say no to working on your day off by simply saying I dont have time.. A good manager understands and respects the fact that their staff need time away from work. An underwater implosion refers to the sudden inward collapse of the vessel, which would have been under immense pressure at the depths it was diving toward. Its best to find someone you work closely with or ask a colleague who has worked in your position before and might have switched roles. This article is an update of an earlier version published on 24 September 2014 and contains contributions by Melina Theodorou. Having written proof that your vacation time was approved is just a prudent way to protect yourself against any potential problems. Theres nothing to stop you from leaving your job at the time youre scheduled to finish work. ), and request to address the issue. Most employers wont appreciate it if you simply dont show up for a week, however, so youll need to request permission to take that time off. If you are looking forward to saying either a positive or a negative response to your boss if you are asked to work on your day off, do not be in a haste except on occasions where there are emergencies and you have to be present. With a tagline of Finding Ways to WOW Your Customer, Steve continues his pursuit of excellence on his award-winning blog sharing his best strategies on customer service, management, and leadership. Not to mention, they can tell you when to work and change your schedule as they please. Approximately a quarter of pet owners put off going to the vet to see if the animal recovers and more than 40% have missed vaccinations due to the cost-of-living crisis. You owe your job and your co-workers your time during the work day. When you have to tell your employer that you wont be available at work, its not an easy conversation. Sin Phillpott Career & Entrepreneurship Expert When you work in a small office, it can be tough to say 'no' to your boss, especially if you have a good relationship with them. So, all you need do is find out first. Your boss is the one requesting that you show up. It. So, if you cant fulfil the request, here are some top tips to avoid coming into work out of hours. How Many Days to Take Off Work for Christmas? How to Write an Email To Ask for Time Off, Why You Should Always Write a Vacation Request Email, Tips for Writing a Vacation Request Email. Have you been asked to come into work out of hours? Speak to your boss about this and listen to what they have to say with regards to it. Responding to your boss about working on your day off, is something you have to think carefully about. You just say sorry, I'm not available today and that's it. There are times when you have to work on your days off. See also: He has a degree in Music Industry from Northeastern University and in his free time he plays guitar with his friends. If it gets to this point, you should sit down with your manager (during normal working hours! It could be your health, family, a hobby or you needed a personal day. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns. Let your boss know how you are preparing for your work to be done in that time and that they can reach out with any questions if needed. For example, if you start waffling on about how you cant come into work because you have to clean your kitchen, give your dog a bath and then go and look for new curtains, this turns into an excuse-like answer. Staff Training Conclusion What Do You Say When Your Boss Ask You To Work On Your Day Off? Managers, owners, and executives put in far more hours than any other staff member. Thats when you can enjoy your day off, and your employees can enjoy their job because they know you have confidence in them to make the right callthe one that is NOT to you. As an employee, youre often required to be available. Unfortunately, I cant come in today. Then consider subscribing to my newsletter and joining the team! Don't make plans before you receive permission. Dillon suggests asking about the deadlines, the importance of the opportunity, and what exactly your job would be. That is, not all bosses would pay their workers for working on a day that they ought to be resting. 11 Industry Experts Discuss Whats More Important: Customer First or Profit First?. As a certified trainer, author & speaker, Steve has been recognized as a 5-time Worlds Top 30 Customer Service Professional by Global Gurus.org and a Top Customer Service Influencer by multiple industry-leading sources. You can mention why you are taking time off, but most of the time that is optional. If this isnt possible because of the circumstances surrounding your absence, such as if youre coping with an injury or illness that makes travel difficult, email your boss well in advance about the situation. Regardless of the reason, you didn't take time off or request a certain schedule to be bombarded with work-related issues outside of work. Understand that your supervisor may not accept your request for time off, so not coming to work may result in disciplinary action. Unfortunately, I wont be able to fit this into my schedule, and I would appreciate it if you refrained from asking me to work outside my regular contracted hours. First things first, assess the request. But first, lets look at this in another light. Your email address will not be published. Whenever possible, you should talk to your boss about your time off request before you put it in an email. You dont have to get so mad at him for requesting that you stay on your day off. To such persons, be it a working day or a day that should be allocated for rest, they might not. Good Excuses to Get out of Work. Conor McMahon is a writer for Zippia, with previous experience in the nonprofit, customer service and technical support industries. Means, that you should explain things to your boss by letting them know why you wouldnt be showing up at work. If so, saying no could be challenge for you. Of course, disobeying them isnt on your list. To avoid this and to be courteous to your team, check the calendar before you schedule your vacation. Which alternatively means that you are being provided with your daily or hourly pay rate. A Position to be Successful Include the date or dates that you are requestion off. But if you arent, this doesnt mean that you should be afraid to say no. Its one thing to answer a few emails or make a few phone calls, but if you find yourself working far more hours than you agreed to, it may be time to take some action. Can my Job Make me Work on my Day Off and Fire me if I Refuse? Simply toggle the mouse restriction on or off with a single click, giving you instant control over your mouse movements. Firing an employee during his or her day off is a complicated question in employment law. Consider giving your boss the choice between two sets of dates that work for you, or be willing to adjust by a day or two. You are so right Tiffany. Dont forget to give your team a heads up that you will be out and who will be filling in for you if they need anything. Type above and press Enter to search. Before you write a vacation request email, make sure you understand how your companys leave policies work. So, how can I stop getting calls at home on my day off? Practice. Part of this is due. I just hate being made to feel guilty for saying no but if Im the only other person who can fill in for whoever calls in on my days off then thats not my problem or my fault. What Do You Say When Your Boss Ask You To Work On Your Day Off? Surprisingly, no one else can accurately give you an answer for this, being that we do not have any idea of the rules which your boss has laid down. Explain that you have reserved time for other things. In this case, just let your employer know that you need the day off for personal business and ask for the appropriate amount of paid or unpaid leave (if available). So they may not honor your request or indulge you much. Although this is inappropriate (and could be considered bad management), some bosses may continue to pester you to work, even after youve already told them you cant. Subject line: Vacation Request March 12-26 David Dail. 1 If you typically work in a building/office/manufacturing plant/etc. Conor enjoys creative writing between his work doing professional content creation and technical documentation. Request time off in writing. But if there is no excuse for you, it is good you consider. If possible, you should have a backup plan in case of emergencies. The same sort of applies to other workplaces. How to say no to working on your day off. It's unclear where or how deep the . A Complete Handbook to Employee Rights. This prevents the possibility of your supervisor being caught off surprise after such a long period of time. Either requesting that you come in or complete a few tasks while youre at home or on vacation. Give as much advance notice as possible. Status Bar Convenience: MouseLock runs discreetly in your Mac's status bar, allowing you to access its features with ease. I was called for an overtime/extra shift on my last day off, after only having 2 days off. Just because you arent at work doesnt mean someone else doesnt have to do your duties. You should, in theory, have your evenings and weekends to yourself but that's not really how the world works. Does it sound absurd or unreal? In fact, there are thousands of people who dont show up at work for one reason or another, every single year. Write a short line that states the purpose of your email and the dates you wish to take off. Of course, if they continue to ask, then this would be not only inappropriate but also unreasonable on your bosss part. Make a plan for covering your tasks. Let us go through the question above that goes, What Do You Say When Your Boss Ask You To Work On Your Day Off? Otherwise, Im more than happy to come in early tomorrow and talk with the clients myself. However, if your boss doesnt like it, you could find yourself out of a job. Taking time off is important, but sometimes you need to answer a question from your boss. Benefits your career in the future. You work hard for your paychecks. Here are some examples of ways to say you cant work on your day off: Now is not a good time for me, but I can let you know when my schedule clears up., Unfortunately, I have too much to do today, but I can help you another time., How about you try it on your own first, and then I can help you?, CHRON How to Ask for a Day Off From Work Through Email, BetterUp Ask for Time off The Right Way How to Get What You Need. If taking time off from work becomes a habit, let them know that you have reserved that time for other things. should be done sparingly, as it will likely result in increased work for them. Phrases like, "Thank you so much" or "You're always so great at spotting these opportunities" can be a great way to show how much you appreciate being asked even though you're unable to say yes right now. Im going to share with you exactly how you can go about telling your employer when you will be unavailable. But while they dont have the right to tell you when you have to take a day off, they do in some cases have the power to make your work that day. When your boss asks you to come in on your day off, it is important to be honest and tell them why you are unavailable. If you happen to find yourself working in such an environment where this wouldnt be allowed, you can stand your ground. Texting your boss that you cant come in is an effective way to communicate that you are unable to come to work. If youre quite a compliant person who can be easily persuaded to change their mind, then you need to find a way to stop yourself from saying yes to extra work you didnt ask for in the first place. Thanks. Its best to address any issues as they arise so that your peers and superiors have a clear understanding of what youre okay with and what makes you uncomfortable. Relearning how to approach your work in a healthy way can be a process, but a good way to start is by setting clear boundaries for both yourself and your employer especially if theyre now accustomed to you always showing up when youre not obligated to. As previously stated, depending on your contract, your boss has the right to do as they please. If you need to take several days off or wont be available at all for a longer period of time, set up a meeting with your boss to explain why youll be absent. Other times, it goes more than that. If you took off from work, it was likely for the reason that you believe required an entire workday to handle. It could be to pick up a sick kid or fill in for a co-worker who is out on vacation. Sin joined the CareerAddict content team in 2017 and has written over 200 articles on a wide variety of career-related issues, including entrepreneurship, web and tech, and the modern workplace. Follow Steve on Twitter @Steve DiGioia. Can You Take A Day Off Work If Your Pet Dies? Always remember that youre not doing anything wrong by refusing your bosss request. Extend genuine gratitude for the ask. Just mentioning that you need to address family issues or deal with an illness should be enough. a brief update of what has happened in the morning and what is expected to happen during the afternoon. Your method of using an answering machine does work, and I bet very well, but work can live without you as long as there are proper procedures in place there to deal with the issues that may come up that creates the need to call you in the first place. It may take some time, but a couple of extra steps to prepare can help prevent those unwanted calls on your day off. You can be fired on your day off for refusing to show up at work if your employer asks you to come. You politely ask for a day off by using professional language that makes a request instead of a demand. June 19, 2023. Your boss can ask you anytime depending on the nature of your work. Its courteous to say something like, I have a week of vacation that I was planning to use this summer. In this article, weve put together some instructions on how to write a time off request email, as well as some sample emails and tips for how to ask for time off in a respectful and effective way. Illnesses, accidents, or family emergencies are always legitimate reasons for missing work at the last minute. Most of us dont like working on our days off. You hold them in high esteem without an ounce of respect for dropping to the ground. It should be done sparingly, as it will likely result in increased work for them. 2. 4 Completely Inoffensive Ways to Say "No" at Work (Because "Yes" Isn't Always an Option) by Sara McCord Updated 6/18/2020 Shutterstock Sometimes saying "yes" at work is the way to go. Be flexible whenever possible. With such a short time window, they likely wont be able to delegate your tasks to another team member. A French law that took effect in January requires companies with 50 or more employees to give their workers the right to disconnect and not send or respond to work-related emails during certain. Depending on your role, the office may not run as efficiently as they do when youre there. We ARE expected to be available a a moments notice because we can, at least by phone or email. FML. Besides, any manager that disregards the fact that you have a personal life, and expects you to put the needs of the company first, is not the kind of boss that you want to be working for. In a stressful situation, we're more likely to let go of some of these self-imposed rules. Is there something I forgot to do? Irrespective of their feelings about your request, employers should not deny your request on the basis of sickness. You may be guaranteed certain days off if you dont have one, and this can impact the workplace as a whole. Nothing has changed in that regard. This serves as a record for both of you in case there is any confusion in the future. You are saying yes to your bosss request because you are against the thought of saying no to your boss. 1 Assess the request. Ultimately, it will depend on whether you are an essential employee or not, which is largely determined by the role that you have in your workplace. Thanks. Make a reasonable offer that you're confident you can uphold. You shouldnt be a doormat, but showing that youre a team player whenever you can will go a long way toward good relationships with your team and a higher likelihood of getting your time off requests approved. How Do You Say No to Working on Your Day Off? "Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all!