Leaving work early

wobblegobble

My boss leaves work an hour early twice a week to go fetch his son from school. We don't operate a flexi time system. He doesn't really make the hours up so he is effectively leaving work 2 hours early each week. Our company is quite big and quite relaxed in terms of people having time off for doctors appointments/personal reasons etc. Whilst I am in agreement that people have to be reasonable and flexible in allowing staff time off, I think that a fixed 2 hours each week is something more routine and should affect your statutory minimum working hours?

I appreciate that he is good at his job and he is a senior project manager etc, but I am probably old school in thinking that one manages by setting the example? I am in similiar situation with a child at school but would never dream of taking 2 hours off each week. If I had to I would either reduce my hours or work them back.

It's been bugging me for a while and hasn't gone unnoticed by other people either. His manager is aware of it though and I believe is ok. Colleagues say I should just do it too, but using the expenses scandal as an example - just because he's doing it doesn't make it right or am I being too black and white about this? If we all started doing it then it would quickly get of of hand - our working hours are strictly 9-5 Monday to Friday.

Advice please.

lili2008

He might have an agreement with his manager to make up the hours working at home. Is it the sort of environment where that's possible?

geri1965_2

My advice is to mind your own business. His boss has authorised it, so what's it got to do with you?

bristol_pilot

He's your boss, not the other way round. So mind your own business.

wobblegobble

I am thinking of doing the same thing that's what it's got to do with me I just want to know if it's right or not.

Zazen999

Senior management usually don't work 'strictly 9-5'.

tanith

Managers are not paid by the hour worked they are salaried to work as many hours as it takes to do their job... he doesn't need permission and certainly doesn't anybodys approval...

geri1965_2

wobblegobble wrote: »

I am thinking of doing the same thing that's what it's got to do with me I just want to know if it's right or not.

Do you have a child you need to pick up twice a week? Or are you just resentful because you feel he is getting something that you're not?

mrcow

If you want to leave early to pick up your child/ren then I suggest you ask your line manager if this is acceptable.

Don't assume that it will be.

And don't assume that because he's allowed to do it that you will be too.

V.Lucky

Maybe he works through his lunch hour on those days, or has a shorter lunch hour on the other days to make the work up?

wobblegobble

I do have a son at school that could be picked up twice a week by me, This would then mean that my wife could work 4 days and not 5 (by rearranging her hours) which would make things a lot easier for both of us. I am just uncomfortable with leaving work early 2 days a week. I would probably work the hours in, but if he's not should I? Or should I just accept he's the boss and leave it at that?