Arriving at work early
Discussion
Hi all,
So for years at my workplace colleagues have had to arrive approx 15 min before their start time to set up they’re computers (they take at least 10 mins to boot up due to the age of them).
For example, if you start at 8, you must arrive at 7.45. If you arrive at 8, you are classed as late as you cannot sign in at 8 due to the systems not being up.
Is this allowed? We don’t get paid for this extra 15 min
So for years at my workplace colleagues have had to arrive approx 15 min before their start time to set up they’re computers (they take at least 10 mins to boot up due to the age of them).
For example, if you start at 8, you must arrive at 7.45. If you arrive at 8, you are classed as late as you cannot sign in at 8 due to the systems not being up.
Is this allowed? We don’t get paid for this extra 15 min
work is something you do, not somewhere you go.
Assuming these are personal computers, that you do your job on.
If they are something networked important (such as Air Traffic control) and you have to be ready to go exactly on time, then I can see why that rule exists.
Equally though, it's a bit 'white socks' isn't it.
What the problem with being there 15 minutes early? I'm contracted to do 37.5 hours a week, I usually do 50plus. I do this because I'm not some strike happy union dick face and I have respect for my employers and role
Assuming these are personal computers, that you do your job on.
If they are something networked important (such as Air Traffic control) and you have to be ready to go exactly on time, then I can see why that rule exists.
Equally though, it's a bit 'white socks' isn't it.
What the problem with being there 15 minutes early? I'm contracted to do 37.5 hours a week, I usually do 50plus. I do this because I'm not some strike happy union dick face and I have respect for my employers and role
Quite common, in my work its more be through the door on time, I start when I get out my car though which can be 30 mins early.
I used to work in Iceland and if you where on a 'cashier' role you had to come in 20 minutes early and you only left the till at your finish time, you still had to cash your till up. probably got 40 minutes extra a day out of people.
I used to work in Iceland and if you where on a 'cashier' role you had to come in 20 minutes early and you only left the till at your finish time, you still had to cash your till up. probably got 40 minutes extra a day out of people.
Gary29 said:
The Selfish Gene said:
What the problem with being there 15 minutes early? I'm contracted to do 37.5 hours a week, I usually do 50plus.
Do you not have anywhere you'd prefer to be?as for the rest of the time - I leave when I'm done, not when it's time.
Suspect we are talking about different role levels here though.
When anyone in my team starts clock watching to that level, I know they'll be leaving soon.
The Selfish Gene said:
work is something you do, not somewhere you go.
Assuming these are personal computers, that you do your job on.
If they are something networked important (such as Air Traffic control) and you have to be ready to go exactly on time, then I can see why that rule exists.
Equally though, it's a bit 'white socks' isn't it.
What the problem with being there 15 minutes early? I'm contracted to do 37.5 hours a week, I usually do 50plus. I do this because I'm not some strike happy union dick face and I have respect for my employers and role
Wow.Assuming these are personal computers, that you do your job on.
If they are something networked important (such as Air Traffic control) and you have to be ready to go exactly on time, then I can see why that rule exists.
Equally though, it's a bit 'white socks' isn't it.
What the problem with being there 15 minutes early? I'm contracted to do 37.5 hours a week, I usually do 50plus. I do this because I'm not some strike happy union dick face and I have respect for my employers and role
What a load of b
ks. It's one thing working an extra 10 minutes or so a day, but working and extra 2 and a half hours a day just to brown nose your employers? Sod that, you're only getting paid 80% of what you really should be in that case. Either that or you're a completely inefficient worker.
WonkeyDonkey said:
Wow.
What a load of bks. It's one thing working an extra 10 minutes or so a day, but working and extra 2 and a half hours a day just to brown nose your employers?
Sod that, you're only getting paid 80% of what you really should be in that case. Either that or you're a completely inefficient worker.
Spot on.What a load of b
ks. It's one thing working an extra 10 minutes or so a day, but working and extra 2 and a half hours a day just to brown nose your employers? Sod that, you're only getting paid 80% of what you really should be in that case. Either that or you're a completely inefficient worker.
Working an extra 12.5 hours a week and not being paid for it? f
k that.The Selfish Gene said:
15 minutes before work? yeah I have to be at work
as for the rest of the time - I leave when I'm done, not when it's time.
Suspect we are talking about different role levels here though.
When anyone in my team starts clock watching to that level, I know they'll be leaving soon.
If you're a high level manager or have a vested interest in the company then of course you may wish to do more than your contracted hours and be happy doing so. For the average Joe on the street, being 'forced' to do extra hours when they may have other commitments, family etc, is not cricket in my opinion.as for the rest of the time - I leave when I'm done, not when it's time.
Suspect we are talking about different role levels here though.
When anyone in my team starts clock watching to that level, I know they'll be leaving soon.
We are all trying to find a work/life balance we are happy with and I'd expect a decent employer to meet you halfway.
This doesn't help the OP though as I know there are a lot of employers who do this kind of thing.
Luckily for me, my company is fairly relaxed and judge you on your productivity rather than the exact number of minutes and hours you're sat at your desk.
WonkeyDonkey said:
Wow.
What a load of bks. It's one thing working an extra 10 minutes or so a day, but working and extra 2 and a half hours a day just to brown nose your employers?
Sod that, you're only getting paid 80% of what you really should be in that case. Either that or you're a completely inefficient worker.
wowWhat a load of b
ks. It's one thing working an extra 10 minutes or so a day, but working and extra 2 and a half hours a day just to brown nose your employers? Sod that, you're only getting paid 80% of what you really should be in that case. Either that or you're a completely inefficient worker.
oh my - me thinks you don't understand. I am the employer - I have clients. No brown nosing required. Not even considered.
We do what is necessary to succeed.
What we do is hugely important, and we are rewarded accordingly.
As for being inefficient - we don't all stuff chickens on an assembly line pal x x
The Selfish Gene said:
work is something you do, not somewhere you go.
Assuming these are personal computers, that you do your job on.
If they are something networked important (such as Air Traffic control) and you have to be ready to go exactly on time, then I can see why that rule exists.
Equally though, it's a bit 'white socks' isn't it.
What the problem with being there 15 minutes early? I'm contracted to do 37.5 hours a week, I usually do 50plus. I do this because I'm not some strike happy union dick face and I have respect for my employers and role
I’m an air traffic controller. We have to be briefed and have taken a handover at the time our shift officially starts but that extra time is built into our contracted hours. So for example my roster says 0600-1230 for tomorrow but I need to be there around 0545, I am being paid for that though.Assuming these are personal computers, that you do your job on.
If they are something networked important (such as Air Traffic control) and you have to be ready to go exactly on time, then I can see why that rule exists.
Equally though, it's a bit 'white socks' isn't it.
What the problem with being there 15 minutes early? I'm contracted to do 37.5 hours a week, I usually do 50plus. I do this because I'm not some strike happy union dick face and I have respect for my employers and role
djc206 said:
I’m an air traffic controller. We have to be briefed and have taken a handover at the time our shift officially starts but that extra time is built into our contracted hours. So for example my roster says 0600-1230 for tomorrow but I need to be there around 0545, I am being paid for that though.
I take my hat off to you doing that role.So, surely it just comes down to a paper exercise of the contract?
If I wanted my people to be in at 08:45 for a 9am start I would put it into the contract. I mean I don't have to, because it's clearly a different way of thinking.
If I did though, then they would turn up at that time?
Or are we saying - they would demand an extra 15 minutes of pay pro-rata? Or refuse to take the job because they have to get out of bed 15 minutes earlier?
I really don't understand the concept of how clock watching people are.
Then I guess I wouldn't. It's not who I am.
It is also give and take - I'm flying to Rome on Friday, and I'll be getting paid for that, as I've done more hours during the week.
It's all just so petty - this whole 15 minutes here and there s
t. INMHOThe Selfish Gene said:
work is something you do, not somewhere you go
Very well put.While it's 20+ years since I did a job that had defined start and finish times, IMO you should be ready to start work at the allotted time, not stroll through the door on the dot. Why not arrive in plenty time, turn on the computer and use that 10-15 minutes to do something useful, or even just make a brew/chat to colleagues/faff about on your phone/take a dump.
The Selfish Gene said:
I'm contracted to do 37.5 hours a week, I usually do 50plus. I do this because I have trouble organising myself to do my work in the hours I get paid for and feel guilty about it
FTFY. Your passive/aggressive bull is just that.OP: Many employers feel this is acceptable. Widespread acceptance by the workforce only exacerbates the issue. Has anyone raised at a high enough level to get it addressed?
I'm on the side of this is wrong. companies exist to make money,they compensate people to help them do that. You work for a company to gain money, you shouldn't be expected as a norm to gift time to a company. If the company needs people in at 7.45 they should adjust the shift patterns to handle that, or sort their IT systems out.
As an ad-hoc thing, sure, there should always be give and take...but not take and take. It is people that blindly accept those terms that normalise the bad practice.
If your salary is such that diluting it doesn't matter to you (i.e. if you are on 50k for a 37.5 hour, you are valuing yourself at 37k ish if doing 50 hours), it is your choice. My company has valued my role/contribution at xk for x hours so aside from exceptions that should be the norm.
As an ad-hoc thing, sure, there should always be give and take...but not take and take. It is people that blindly accept those terms that normalise the bad practice.
If your salary is such that diluting it doesn't matter to you (i.e. if you are on 50k for a 37.5 hour, you are valuing yourself at 37k ish if doing 50 hours), it is your choice. My company has valued my role/contribution at xk for x hours so aside from exceptions that should be the norm.
Edited by ozzuk on Tuesday 23 October 14:32
Depends on the level of the role. If you're sat in a call centre answering phones for 18k a year then processes should be in place to ensure that the infrastructure is in place to allow workers to do their job when work begins, whether this is having systems that can boot in seconds not minutes or paying staff to come in early to start the systems. If you're a manamger with responsibilities to others and are well remunerated then turning up and staying late is part of the job, suck it up.
I get paid for 36.5 hours per week, I probably do north of 50 most weeks. The level of responsibility means that working to rule would not be a responsible thing to do. On the plus side I can do whatever hours I want over the week. We're paid (well) for out- put rather than attendance. If I have a quiet morning then I can go to the gym for a couple of hours, but I could easily be on the phone to an American project team members at 11pm.
I get paid for 36.5 hours per week, I probably do north of 50 most weeks. The level of responsibility means that working to rule would not be a responsible thing to do. On the plus side I can do whatever hours I want over the week. We're paid (well) for out- put rather than attendance. If I have a quiet morning then I can go to the gym for a couple of hours, but I could easily be on the phone to an American project team members at 11pm.
The Selfish Gene said:
I take my hat off to you doing that role.
So, surely it just comes down to a paper exercise of the contract?
If I wanted my people to be in at 08:45 for a 9am start I would put it into the contract. I mean I don't have to, because it's clearly a different way of thinking.
If I did though, then they would turn up at that time?
Or are we saying - they would demand an extra 15 minutes of pay pro-rata? Or refuse to take the job because they have to get out of bed 15 minutes earlier?
I really don't understand the concept of how clock watching people are.
Then I guess I wouldn't. It's not who I am.
It is also give and take - I'm flying to Rome on Friday, and I'll be getting paid for that, as I've done more hours during the week.
It's all just so petty - this whole 15 minutes here and there st. INMHO
I don’t see why you wouldn’t put it in the contract? If you want someone there then surely the best way to ensure they are is to contract it, then situations like the OP’s couldn’t arise? Certainly for salaried people there’s not really a downside is there.So, surely it just comes down to a paper exercise of the contract?
If I wanted my people to be in at 08:45 for a 9am start I would put it into the contract. I mean I don't have to, because it's clearly a different way of thinking.
If I did though, then they would turn up at that time?
Or are we saying - they would demand an extra 15 minutes of pay pro-rata? Or refuse to take the job because they have to get out of bed 15 minutes earlier?
I really don't understand the concept of how clock watching people are.
Then I guess I wouldn't. It's not who I am.
It is also give and take - I'm flying to Rome on Friday, and I'll be getting paid for that, as I've done more hours during the week.
It's all just so petty - this whole 15 minutes here and there s
t. INMHOThe OP’s situation is very much one of the employer being the one watching the clock no?
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