Monitoring at work

Raksha

joolsybools wrote: »

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

I have a 30 min break, generally to be taken some time between 12.30 and 13.30. Generally I do take this at my desk because it's convenient.

I've also been in the habit of doing little favours, such as buying his dog food when I go to Costco, stopping off on my way in to pick up milk for the office, using my car for the occasional duty without putting in for mileage etc..


BUT - this thread isn't about what time I get in, it's about being monitored without being aware of it.

jdturk

ceridwen wrote: »

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:

It all depends though, if the companies opening hours are 9.00-5.00 then they will get phone calls from 9.00 to 5.00 not 9.10-5.10

jdturk

I don't think you have a claim over being observed for time coming into work, its a normal thing to do for manager's especially if you are known for being in late.

If they were monitering your phonecalls then this is differant.

As for your lunch breaks, if they are unpaid they are for you to what you want with them

Raksha

jdturk wrote: »

It all depends though, if the companies opening hours are 9.00-5.00 then they will get phone calls from 9.00 to 5.00 not 9.10-5.10

That's part of the problem, because of the nature of the business (entertainment) the calls can come from early in the morning (from 07.30 if the artist has not arrived at client in time for a photo shoot for example) or through to evening (calls from the States). My original hours were 09.00 start, but I was having to work late often because my boss had work he needed to get out, so I suggested we moved my start time back by 30 mins. to accommodate this (it's a pattern I had noticed - client phones for quote first thing, it's batted backwards and forwards and my boss is finally ready to raise an invoice mid/late afternoon).

Personally, I would rather start earlier and finish earlier.

Pound

BUT - this thread isn't about what time I get in, it's about being monitored without being aware of it.

I imagine that when you come into work people can see you and they'll also know what time it is. So you are aware that you're being monitored in that sense.

If you stole some office supplies in full view of everyone would you expect them to not take any action because you weren't told you were being monitored?

Savvy_Sue

Raksha wrote: »

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

It may be the way you're saying it, I don't know.

Raksha wrote: »

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

I'd do that if I was being paid for it. If you're not being paid for it, I'd start to make a point of taking a break away from my desk. Because if you are working more than 6 hours, you are legally entitled to a break!

Raksha wrote: »

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

then sadly it is time to start getting in on time, and leaving on time, and taking a half hour break away from your desk. Whether you continue to do favours for the boss is up to you.

robbiewilliams

Go in on time. Leave for work 25 mins early to make sure. Hell, start 5 mins early. Then leave ON TIME.

They can't and shouldn't moan for that. Take your tea breaks stated in your contract, at a set time every day (phone calls allowing).

Let your boos know when you leave and when you return.

The sticking poin for me here is that you get to work late. I wouldnt be happy eithr, no matter how much dog food you bought me!

ceridwen

Raksha wrote: »

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.

Anyone who works more than 6 hours at a stint is entitled by law to a break (not necessarily entitled to be paid for that break - but they are entitled legally to HAVE that break). Think its 20 minutes minimum break?

ceridwen

Raksha wrote: »

I have a 30 min break, generally to be taken some time between 12.30 and 13.30. Generally I do take this at my desk because it's convenient.

I've also been in the habit of doing little favours, such as buying his dog food when I go to Costco, stopping off on my way in to pick up milk for the office, using my car for the occasional duty without putting in for mileage etc..


BUT - this thread isn't about what time I get in, it's about being monitored without being aware of it.

I hope you've stopped doing those little favours - it goes both ways you know. He cant have any complaint about you stopping doing something gratis in your own time.

Just find yourself too busy to do any of them any more - and claim for things like that mileage. If you carry on doing favours like this then he will only "push it" even more.

EDIT: I'm just a bit surprised at this carping by the boss - now that I've read on through this thread and seen about the favours and that it isnt, by the sound of it, some conventional office set-up. It sounds like you work in the sort of environment thats rather "free-r" than most offices and in a more one-to-one type setting. I dont know how long you have been working there - but I wonder if something else is going on there that you dont know about. Guess it might be either that (ie the "something else") or there is problems going on in the personal life of the boss and they are taking them out on you...

Hmmm....ponders....he hasnt got someone else lined up maybe because he has a "personal" preference for them or someone has "called in some favours" or something??

ceridwen

jdturk wrote: »

I don't think you have a claim over being observed for time coming into work, its a normal thing to do for manager's especially if you are known for being in late.

If they were monitering your phonecalls then this is differant.

As for your lunch breaks, if they are unpaid they are for you to what you want with them

They are for O.P. to do what she wants with them - whether they are paid or unpaid.