Give & Take in the workplace

Cloudydaze

I've read a couple of threads recently about people getting fired for gross misconduct for things which, quite frankly, no one would bat an eyelid at anywhere I've worked. What has surprised more is the response from other posters who think the employer was justified.

I'm curious to know if the amount of give and take relates to industry, salary, level of seniority or something else. I work in financial services and the following has always been the norm...

Whilst at work, I expect to be able to:
- send personal emails, texts, calls
- deal with personal admin ie pay a bill/look sth up on the internet
- come in late/leave early for medical apts, plumbers or deliveries
- take the odd bit of stationery for personal use or frank a letter
- take as many coffee/loo breaks as I want
- take more than an hour for lunch if needed

In return I have been expected to:
- cancel last min plans with friends to work late (inc missing theatre)
- stay late or come in early (unpaid)
- not have a lunchbreak when busy
- change holiday plans once holiday had been booked
- answer work emails/calls outside of working hours
- almost always work more than the contracted hours

Obviously, not all the above happens all the time! I get paid a decent salary and a bonus which usually compensates for the extra hours.

I'm just interested in what is normal for others.

double_mummy

Cloudydaze wrote: »

Whilst at work, I expect to be able to:
- send personal emails, texts, calls nope
- deal with personal admin ie pay a bill/look sth up on the internet nope
- come in late/leave early for medical apts, plumbers or deliveries only for doctors if booked in advance
- take the odd bit of stationery for personal use or frank a letter nope thats theft
- take as many coffee/loo breaks as I want nope we have 3 breaks if you cannot manage to not go to the toilet or make a cuppa outside those times there is an issue (medical issues are seperate)
- take more than an hour for lunch if needed half an hour for lunch and absolutely no way any longer

In return I have been expected to:
- cancel last min plans with friends to work late (inc missing theatre) if outside work hours no if inside work hours then yes
- stay late or come in early (unpaid) yup but its paid
- not have a lunchbreak when busy yup
- change holiday plans once holiday had been booked nope once approved that is it
- answer work emails/calls outside of working hours nope
- almost always work more than the contracted hours yup

Obviously, not all the above happens all the time! I get paid a decent salary and a bonus which usually compensates for the extra hours. half decent salary and bonuses and extra pay for any extra time in 30 min chunks

i also work in finance

AP007

Cloudydaze wrote: »

I've read a couple of threads recently about people getting fired for gross misconduct for things which, quite frankly, no one would bat an eyelid at anywhere I've worked. What has surprised more is the response from other posters who think the employer was justified.

I'm curious to know if the amount of give and take relates to industry, salary, level of seniority or something else. I work in financial services and the following has always been the norm...

Whilst at work, I expect to be able to:
- send personal emails, texts, calls - only on odd occasions not a habit.
- deal with personal admin ie pay a bill/look sth up on the internet - only at lunch time when the net was available
- come in late/leave early for medical apts, plumbers or deliveries. No these had to be worked back that day if medical and no more of one hour or it was holiday
- take the odd bit of stationery for personal use or frank a letter. No a sackable offence
- take as many coffee/loo breaks as I want - yes you can go to the loo as many times as you like as long as you dont sn it in there for hours and you can make as many drinks as you like just work and drink at the same time not just sit there having a tea
- take more than an hour for lunch if needed - never - sackable offence

In return I have been expected to:
- cancel last min plans with friends to work late (inc missing theatre) - never worked late
- stay late or come in early (unpaid) - only once came in early to re arrange the office desks (no pay)
- not have a lunchbreak when busy -always taken 1 hour
- change holiday plans once holiday had been booked - nope
- answer work emails/calls outside of working hours - no not contactable after 5
- almost always work more than the contracted hours - no

Obviously, not all the above happens all the time! I get paid a decent salary and a bonus which usually compensates for the extra hours.

I'm just interested in what is normal for others.

Was on less than the going rate with no benefits.

Not at work at the moment but lasst job in accounts in hospitality.

melysion

I have to say my work place is incredibly flexible, but then I work in academia. I know the private sector is a lot stricter regarding rules.

306chris

Cloudydaze wrote: »

I've read a couple of threads recently about people getting fired for gross misconduct for things which, quite frankly, no one would bat an eyelid at anywhere I've worked. What has surprised more is the response from other posters who think the employer was justified.

I'm curious to know if the amount of give and take relates to industry, salary, level of seniority or something else. I work in financial services and the following has always been the norm...

Whilst at work, I expect to be able to:
- send personal emails, texts, calls - yes
- deal with personal admin ie pay a bill/look sth up on the internet - yes
- come in late/leave early for medical apts, plumbers or deliveries -yes
- take the odd bit of stationery for personal use or frank a letter - not really applicable
- take as many coffee/loo breaks as I want - Yes, can have fag breaks as well but i dont smoke
- take more than an hour for lunch if needed - Have half an hour but can be a bit more if needed

In return I have been expected to:
- cancel last min plans with friends to work late (inc missing theatre) - Had to do this once.
- stay late or come in early (unpaid) Very rare and more lilkly a late stay
- not have a lunchbreak when busy - Never, alwasy have lunch, I am more productive for it
- change holiday plans once holiday had been booked - No
- answer work emails/calls outside of working hours - Never, once i am out the door thats it
- almost always work more than the contracted hours - Every day, but I get at least 1.25 overtime.

Obviously, not all the above happens all the time! I get paid a decent salary and a bonus which usually compensates for the extra hours.

I'm just interested in what is normal for others.

I work in warehousing at supervisor level.

Jinx

[QUOTE=Cloudydaze;64900844
Whilst at work, I expect to be able to:
- send personal emails, texts, calls yes
- deal with personal admin ie pay a bill/look sth up on the internet yes
- come in late/leave early for medical apts, plumbers or deliveries yes but by prior agreement - don't just saunter in
- take the odd bit of stationery for personal use or frank a letter yes but pay petty cash for items and franking
- take as many coffee/loo breaks as I want yes
- take more than an hour for lunch if needed yes with prior agreement

In return I have been expected to:
- cancel last min plans with friends to work late (inc missing theatre) not normally
- stay late or come in early (unpaid) yes every monthend and other odd occasions
- not have a lunchbreak when busy yes
- change holiday plans once holiday had been booked not yet
- answer work emails/calls outside of working hours yes
- almost always work more than the contracted hours yes

[/QUOTE]

Office Manager on reasonable salary.

~Beanie~

Cloudydaze wrote: »

Whilst at work, I expect to be able to:
- send personal emails, texts, calls emails and text, yes. Calls, not using works phone
- deal with personal admin ie pay a bill/look sth up on the internet - yes
- come in late/leave early for medical apts, plumbers or deliveries medical yes, plumber or deliveries no
- take the odd bit of stationery for personal use or frank a letter as long as nobody knows lol
- take as many coffee/loo breaks as I want loo yes, coffee unlimited at my desk, frowned upon if I disappear for 10 mins every time
- take more than an hour for lunch if needed not really

In return I have been expected to:
- cancel last min plans with friends to work late (inc missing theatre) - nope
- stay late or come in early (unpaid) - nope, would get TOIL
- not have a lunchbreak when busy - yes but would get TOIL
- change holiday plans once holiday had been booked - no chance
- answer work emails/calls outside of working hours - not expected but I probably would
- almost always work more than the contracted hours - nope

I'm a university administrator.

J_i_m

I think there needs to be a degree of "reasonable" flexibility on both sides. Make sure the needs of the business are met but also ensure the well being of the staff is maintained. I work for the NHS.

Cloudydaze wrote: »

Whilst at work, I expect to be able to:
- send personal emails, texts, calls
If it's something important, like arranging a doctors appointment, caring for a dependant etc then yes. But prioritise work and customers first
- deal with personal admin ie pay a bill/look sth up on the internet
With modern 24/7 phone, internet banking, utility services there's less justification to do this during your working hours
- come in late/leave early for medical apts, plumbers or deliveries
Yes, this is reasonable, but arrange it before hand and be prepared to make up the time and cover for colleagues needing the same
- take the odd bit of stationery for personal use or frank a letter
I tend to supply much of my own, but if I take stationary home it's usually for work purposes
- take as many coffee/loo breaks as I want
Yes absolutely, when you need to go you need to go. It'd be unreasonable to expect someone to "hold it in" or go without refreshment. But it shouldn't be used as an opportunity to skive and theres little reason why you couldn't have coffee and work at the same time (unless operating industrial equipment or driving a bus where your full focus is required)
- take more than an hour for lunch if needed
If it's been agreed with your manager, then fine, expect to make up the time though

In return I have been expected to:
- cancel last min plans with friends to work late (inc missing theatre)
If your'e "on call" then that's part of game, but this would also be reflected in the pay
- stay late or come in early (unpaid)
overtime is paid or given off in lieu "time owing"
- not have a lunchbreak when busy
If you work the full-time hours then you're entitled to your statutory breaks, busy or not and working through it is your own choice
- change holiday plans once holiday had been booked
Once your holiday has been approved, you are fully entitled to take it, although it's your choice if you're flexible
- answer work emails/calls outside of working hours
If "on call" then obviously yes, if present at work out side of your duty hours then be a team player and pick up the dammed phone, it's not exactly going to kill you...
- almost always work more than the contracted hours
Overtime or time owing applies

Obviously, not all the above happens all the time! I get paid a decent salary and a bonus which usually compensates for the extra hours.

I'm just interested in what is normal for others.

Nebulous2

Most workplaces will tolerate some give and take, treat people like adults and they will (generally) behave like adults. Nothing in what you have posted raises a red flag for me, except taking stationery or franking a letter. I wouldn't.

I'm on a flexible working pattern so can set my own hours as long as the work gets done.

There is a downside to all that though; you always get someone who takes advantage and spoils it for others, and most people in most employment, could be got rid of fairly readily if the employer wished, because all of these minor infractions can be built up into a case by someone determined to try.

Denning.

Cloudydaze wrote: »

I've read a couple of threads recently about people getting fired for gross misconduct for things which, quite frankly, no one would bat an eyelid at anywhere I've worked. What has surprised more is the response from other posters who think the employer was justified.

I'm curious to know if the amount of give and take relates to industry, salary, level of seniority or something else. I work in financial services and the following has always been the norm...

Whilst at work, I expect to be able to:
- send personal emails, texts, calls Yes
- deal with personal admin ie pay a bill/look sth up on the internet Yes
- come in late/leave early for medical apts, plumbers or deliveries Yes -Would work from home.
- take the odd bit of stationery for personal use or frank a letter I guess, no one would notice nor overly care.
- take as many coffee/loo breaks as I want Yes, I stretch my legs every hour.
- take more than an hour for lunch if needed - Yes, I don't have set lunch breaks, take it when I want. Unlikely my manager would know/care, I would just put it in my diary.

In return I have been expected to:
- cancel last min plans with friends to work late (inc missing theatre) - In theory. We operate a kind of unofficial TOIL, because official TOIL is too much paperwork.
- stay late or come in early (unpaid) - Yes
- not have a lunchbreak when busy - Yes, eat at desk.
- change holiday plans once holiday had been booked - No, pretty strict rule, holiday is holiday. You have to get written permission to not take a continuous two week block off at least once in the year.
- answer work emails/calls outside of working hours - Yes.
- almost always work more than the contracted hours - No, it balances out overall.

Obviously, not all the above happens all the time! I get paid a decent salary and a bonus which usually compensates for the extra hours.

I'm just interested in what is normal for others.

There is a massive difference in expectations with careers and just jobs.

Tenyearstogo

Cloudydaze wrote: »

Whilst at work, I expect to be able to:
- send personal emails, texts, calls No
- deal with personal admin ie pay a bill/look sth up on the internet No
- come in late/leave early for medical apts, plumbers or deliveriesNot unless I can get someone of an equivalent grade to cover
- take the odd bit of stationery for personal use or frank a letterNo, I have to supply my own pens too
- take as many coffee/loo breaks as I wantNever have a coffee break, loo breaks ok
- take more than an hour for lunch if neededhalf an hour unpaid maximum

In return I have been expected to:
- cancel last min plans with friends to work late (inc missing theatre)work late but not if I had plans
- stay late or come in early (unpaid)yes but I would take TOIL
- not have a lunchbreak when busy most days!
- change holiday plans once holiday had been bookedNo but have gone in on AL in an emergency
- answer work emails/calls outside of working hours No
- almost always work more than the contracted hoursyes

Obviously, not all the above happens all the time! I get paid a decent salary and a bonus which usually compensates for the extra hours.

I'm just interested in what is normal for others.

I'm a nurse in the NHS.