At What Point Are You At Work?

Blackpool_Saver

freakyogre wrote: »

Ditto, I honestly thought it was normal?

In my previous job we were expected to be there 10-15 minutes before our 'official' start time so we were ready to deal with things when that time arrived. I think it would be extremely unprofessional if a customer phoned in at 9am and you had to apologise for not having an answer (or having to phone them back) because you were waiting for the computer to start.

I suppose it may be different in other jobs, but really can't see how being there early enough to start on time is a major issue.

I started a new job on Monday so make sure I am there at least 10 minutes before my start time (although no one has requested this) so I have time to get myself ready.

That's because you clearly have a professional and mature attitude. I bet that attitude is what got you the job.

CCFC_80

seadee wrote: »

Did you put on your time sheet (or whatever method of recording hours you had) that you were working from 0735?

No, As explained I was paid from 8.00 AM to 4.00 PM and had to log onto my pc at 8.00 AM or face disciplinery action if logged on after that. It was the same for other employers working for this company and not just me.
To reiterate, It was a 10 minute walk from company carpark, an approx 5 minute change into workclothing(fluorescent vests, safetyboots etc) a further 10 minutes to walk to workstation and sign on your Pc.

seadee

andy46 wrote: »

No, As explained I was paid from 8.00 AM to 4.00 PM and had to log onto my pc at 8.00 AM or face disciplinery action if logged on after that. It was the same for other employers working for this company and not just me.
To reiterate, It was a 10 minute walk from company carpark, an approx 5 minute change into workclothing(fluorescent vests, safetyboots etc) a further 10 minutes to walk to workstation and sign on your Pc.

So you had to be at your place of work at 0800?

Not sure what the issue is/was

ceridwen

I think the issue boils down to how employers are treating US. If one's employer has a generally petty attitude and/or pays too low a salary for the job then - assuming one is stuck with the job for whatever reason (ie the vast majority of us for one reason or another these days) - then one "sticks to one's rights" back and tries not to do "owt for nowt".

I know my own reason for being very strict about what is my time and what is their time and they must pay for literally every minute I work is a combination of both the above reasons:
- they are very petty in many ways (to all of us - not just me)
- they dont pay high enough salary for the job

I think it would be the case that most of us would be a good deal more "flexible" with our employers about whether we donated any of our free time for nothing if they were fair to us/paid us a decent salary (you wouldnt believe how much my employer can argue about literally every single £ they pay us......).

So - part of the reason for not being on the premises for literally one minute one isnt paid for is to ensure that as much as possible of one's time is spent away from that nitpicking/lowpaying "atmosphere" - trying to recover from the last "have a go" episode the employer has gone in for (as they are so frequent...).

noelphobic

seadee wrote: »

If logging on is part of your work then you should be paid for that time.
IMHO

I agree with you, but it obviously doesn't work that way because we are only counted as being in once the system has logged us in, which can take a few minutes.

We were taken over last year so it is possible that we won't always have this system - here's hoping!

CCFC_80

seadee wrote: »

So you had to be at your place of work at 0800?

Not sure what the issue is/was

The issue was that I had to be at work at 7.35 AM to start work at 8.00 A.M

Tarry

At my work you are expected to be there about 10/15 minutes early or so. Like today I start at half 2, so I'd be there by 2.20pm.

DKLS

9am meeting I wish, Some of my clients have picked up the American trait of "breakfast" meetings, starting at 7am, which is fine if they do provide breakfast but a grind if not.

And I always endeavour to get there before the client, buts that's mainly because I hate being late.

seadee

DKLS wrote: »

9am meeting I wish, Some of my clients have picked up the American trait of "breakfast" meetings, starting at 7am, which is fine if they do provide breakfast but a grind if not.

And I always endeavour to get there before the client, buts that's mainly because I hate being late.

My boss used to get upset when he organised a working lunch and afterwards I would then go for my lunch break.
If he wants to provide food at a meeting fine, but I am still entitled to my break.

He got so used to me doing it that he said nothing in the end.

cattie

andy46 wrote: »

To reiterate, It was a 10 minute walk from company carpark, an approx 5 minute change into workclothing(fluorescent vests, safetyboots etc) a further 10 minutes to walk to workstation and sign on your Pc.

But surely it's your choice to drive to work? If you have the choice to drive & use the carpark or using public transport, you have made a decision on which way to travel & evaluated how long it will take you to reach the place at which you do your actual job, ie desk, workbench or whatever.

The carpark isn't the place where your job is carried out so I'm confused why you consider reaching the carpark is when you officially start work?
When you started the job did they tell you that reaching the carpark would count as your actual start time?

It's a bit like when you have an appointment, be it for a new job, medical appointment, or whatever, it's no good giving the opinion that you arrived at the carpark on time, but it took you so many minutes to walk to the designated place, so feel that you are not in fact late for the appointment.