Sticky situation- discuss with boss or director?

Simon11

Firstly, thanks for your for replies it's been quite interesting and somegood suggestions.

I suppose my initial thought was that I was expecting my boss to be morerelaxed in the knowledge that the employee would bend over backwards along withstaying in the role for a greater time period.

I have asked my boss about my requirements for Fridays, however I think Ishall set up a private 1-1 and come to an agreement. I can see exactly what his thoughts are andwhat he is prepared to be relaxed about.

"he doesn't seem to realise that an early start to the weekend would bean attractive proposition for all of us" He has actually mentioned thisbut previously I've always thought well I know you're just going to hit the pubunlike myself who is dedicating their Fridays to other people.

I have joined a group up in the new city just turning up weekly to help themout, however I'm keen to continue in my role with my old group which I havebeen at since I was 8.

While the event may have been annoying, I did just about manage to get tothe meeting in time but not in the right mood for it atall- having to stand fortwo hours on the train and no proper meal until 10pm after a full day at work.I generally do have everything prepared and thought out the weekend previously buta good suggestion about grabbing a bit to eat before jumping on the train. I know now I could grin and bear it but itwould improve my lifestyle if they could be more flexible.

colino

You can certainly have a chat about the situation with your immediate boss, but as your green light was elicited at a social, I doubt if the director will remember it or give it much weight.
I think you will already know the culture of the place and if your immediate boss wants the place operational throughout the posted office hours, he's not going to change them to suit your social life, is he?

agrinnall

It's not clear why you have decided to retain a base in your previous location while working elsewhere. You make no mention of having a partner or children at home, if there is no vital reason for you to keep that base why don't you just make a break and move to where you work, starting a new social life there?

Simon11

I have my own home in the city, but I would like to catch up with friends and family at the weekend so live with the family when visiting.

Elvisia

At the end of the day they employ you for so many hours a week, from x hour to x hour. If you want to change that then talk to your boss, and then if he agrees talk to the director. Get this all down formally. If they are unable to accommodate it then you have two choices - realise that moving means losing this, or find another way to accommodate it which means going on the later train.

I studied for a degree in the evenings and had a similar issue, I only needed to leave at 5.30pm rather than 6pm but I was always being given things to do at the last minute as no one ever remembered. The worse case was when I had booked an afternoon of leave to sit a final exam, and was told by my boss (I was on loan to another dept temporarily) that there was no way I was leaving, in the end after spending the morning talking to HR who said there was nothing I could do so tough I just walked out of the office and did the exam! Amazingly no one noticed. But not taking the exam means I would not have been able to pass my degree. I was aware though that doing evening studies meant I would continually need the support of my colleagues, and there was always the possibility that I would have to give it up. I always ate my dinner in the train though!

gibson123

I think this is perfectly straight forward - you formally ask for your core hours to be adjusted so you leave at 3 pm on a Friday, if they say no you accept this, if yes then your finishing time is 3 pm Friday. Write to HR and copy in your immediate supervisor and director.

pinkshoes

I'd speak to your boss, ask your finish time to officially be 3pm on Friday, and in return, your official start time will become say 7am.

If he doesn't play ball, then it comes down to how much you'll end up resenting the job, vs how much you like it! If boss doesn't play ball, I'd perhaps have an off the record chat with the director, just pointing out it's a shame you might have to quit being a volunteer on fridays...