At What Point Are You At Work?

Ms_Chocaholic

Hi
Could someone please clarify at what point it is classed that you are at work.

Is it when you get out of your car in the work car park.
Walk into the office block (that wholly belongs to your employer)
Go through the door on the floor you work on
Sit at your desk

Ta
Ms C x

PasturesNew

It's when you're at your desk, with your coat off and ready to start.

So if I turn up, bump into somebody, make a coffee - that's not at work. I tend to aim for: walk into the office 5+ minutes early, turn on the PC, while that's booting up, make a coffee, log on ... then it's start time and I am "at work".

lili2008

It probably depends what the context is and why you ask. In some cases it might be 'as soon as you were on the premesis', e.g. if it's to do with an accident at work.

Ninja_Seb

I consider myself to be at work when I arrive at my desk.

Anyone who comes in early to 'log on' is pretty sad

ceridwen

I consider myself to be "at work" when I walk in the front door of the building (thats when the "eyes" and "ears" "switch on" in my workplace - and, from then on, till the moment I literally walk out the door at night I know every single thing I do/say/etc is under scrutiny and will be criticised if someone feels like it - hence why I have chosen the point at which I walk through the front door as being my "start work" time - as I wont tolerate being watched/listened to like that in my own time). Different people might pick different points as the time they regard themselves as being "at work" - I guess it depends on how closely one is "monitored" whilst at work - some people may not be as heavily "monitored" as we are in my workplace.

I have a feeling that there probably isnt a law laying down exactly at what point someone is deemed to be "at work" - hence the frequent arguments about this point.

Twas a good point made by Lili re accidents at work - tho' I have the feeling one is "covered" for that whilst actually en route to work (presumably following the logic that my journey to work wouldnt be happening if I didnt have to go to work IYSWIM) ....well I know I would be...dont know what the law says about that....

Gingernutmeg

I'm technically at work as soon as I swipe in with my card - so that's as soon as I've entered the building. But realistically I'm not 'at work' until I've taken my coat off, sat down etc etc. I suppose the point is that if my start time is 9am, then I should be sat at my desk ready to work from that point, I shouldn't be just arriving in the car park or walking through reception at 9. I suppose it depends whether you're defining being at work as being at your desk or whether being at work is defined by just being on the premises. I think most organisations would go for the former though.

hex2

The company I work for makes it pretty clear to staff that your start time means at your desk and ready to work - this was after complaints about people who rolled in the front door at 9am, then made a coffee, ate breakfast and logged on 20 minutes later which is grossly unfair to those people who cover their calls whilst they mess about.

From a 'legal' point of view I would say at your place of work and available for the work you are employed and paid to do - so if you are call centre sat at your desk ready to take calls at the point at which your paid hours start. Hope this helps.

When I worked at a supermarket as a student the clock in/out cards were as you went out onto the shop floor. Clocking in and then going up to get changed/break etc was a sacking offence.

Hope this helps.

ceridwen

Well...from above couple of points.... I guess some of the difference in opinions boils down to what type of job one is doing - be it manual/shop/callcentre/other office work/etc......

I guess that the point made re being available for work is a valid point too....another reason why I regard myself as being "at work" the second I walk in the front door - as people are able to approach me with work queries as soon as I'm in that door - and often do...hence I MUST be at work then as I see it....or I wouldnt have to answer them.

LittleVoice

ceridwen wrote: »

/ - tho' I have the feeling one is "covered" for that whilst actually en route to work (presumably following the logic that my journey to work wouldnt be happening if I didnt have to go to work IYSWIM) ....well I know I would be...dont know what the law says about that....

You are not "covered" as far as your employer's insurance is concerned whilst on the way to work. That's why, for instance, your personal car insurance should cover you for commuting if that is how you travel to work.

ceridwen

Perhaps whether one is covered on the way to work depends on the employer then - as we are always told that we ARE covered then....

Zazen999

ceridwen wrote: »

Perhaps whether one is covered on the way to work depends on the employer then - as we are always told that we ARE covered then....

Have you seen any paperwork for this....I believe it only applies for anyone who is travelling offsite on company business....eg attending a meeting at a client's offices. Never ever heard of anyone being on their employer's insurance for travel to their normal place of work.