Monitoring at work

ceridwen

Raksha wrote: »

Thanks folks.

On Friday I was told to watch my time keeping - it had been noticed that I was late (up to 5 mins) in the mornings.

I wrote an email saying that yes, I agreed I wasn't always at my desk ready to start, but I felt it should be taken into account that I rarely left my desk at my allotted finish time. I had been under the impression, as nothing had been said about it before, that it was a two way thing and if didn't finish on time, then it was OK to be a little late in in the morning. If he was prepared to 'give and take' on my start time, then I was prepared to give and take on my finish time. I do have a 'time off in lieu' arrangement, but up until now have been only recording amounts over 10 mins. I will now be recording all excess time.

This afternoon I was called into a meeting and given several examples/dates of where I have been late (no mention of times when I had remained behind to finish a task). Not being aware that these things were being noted, I couldn't respond in my defence (ie explain that the day before I'd worked 10 mins more but not booked it)

The whole meeting was rather unpleasant, and ended up with me in tears (seems to be a frequent ocurance after my review meetings these days )

Well - if they are counting literally every minute at one end of the day - then you have no option but to count literally every minute at the end of the day.

Why DO employers do this sort of thing? They really should have the sense to realise that this sort of thing !!!!es employees off and they dont gain anything by it:mad:

Pound

I think the experience you're describing is what you would expect in any job. If you're constantly late, even by a few minutes then they'll start having words with you and eventually start going down the disciplinary route. Don't say that you work over a few minutes to make up, that won't wash.

You need to work on your organisation skills and start getting to work on time or preferably 15 minutes early. Something that worked for me was aiming to get to work 30 minutes early rather than just on time, I never managed it but I do end up getting there 15 minutes early which keeps the boss happy.

Is there something you like to do that you could do sitting in your car or at your desk, such as reading? You could get to work very early, then do that thing until it's time to start.

terra_ferma

Raksha wrote: »

If he was prepared to 'give and take' on my start time, then I was prepared to give and take on my finish time.

Hope those are not the actual words used on the email because they'd show a very poor attitude, as you have been late on many occasions and live only 10mins away.

Sounds like he is not prepared to 'give and take' and wants you to be at work on time. How unreasonable!

ableandy

I have to agree with the coments on here. A contract provides for a start time and that is the time you are due at work. If this is not conveinient to you then you should see if you can switch to a flexible contract that will allow you to arrive between time A and B, along with leaving between time c and d.

Communication is a wonderful thing, talk to your employer please don't assume he knows what your reasons are!

paulofessex

Remember....Nobody notices what you do until you do something wrong

Rockporkchop

Maybe if you got in on time you wouldn't end up staying late every day.

There is absolutely no excuse for being late when you only have a 10 minute journey to work - I can't believe that you seem so surprised that it was mentioned to you.

terra_ferma

paulofessex wrote: »

Remember....Nobody notices what you do until you do something wrong

Unhelpful. This may have been your experience, but you can't generalise!

getmore4less

Sounds like your contract has a fixed start time and flexable end time with TOIL

Work to it or renegotiate .

Raksha

I appreciate what people are saying, but when I suggested that I'd work my alloted hours and book every minute to TOIL, the boss didn't like it - yet again, I can't win

He also wants me to take my lunch at my desk and be prepared to answer phone calls then.

I've asked for flexi time, but been refused it.

joolsybools

What does your contract say about breaks/lunch breaks? Its unreasonable for an employer to expect you to stay at your desk if you have an official break