Flexible working: Am I being pedantic?

aidso

I'm wondering if I'm being pedantic or does this seem like an unfair situation?
I work in IT which is known for its "flexible" working hours - some times you'll be required to work late; most of the time it'll be fairly predictable. I am on a 42 hour contract which you could break down into a 9-5:30 day with 1 hour for lunch.

I would have worked something like 9:30 - 5:45 and taken the "missing" time from my lunch, or worked the extra time throughout the week so that the hours are correct at the end of the week...but have since been told that this is not allowed. 8.5 hours must be completed on the same day and the hour is non negotiable. Now this is fair enough if that's the company policy and could be a miscommunication on my part (it's not), but it now negates the flexible working hours offered by the company.
Where I have issue, is that looking around the office when I come in there are several people eating breakfast at their desk (you can't type and hold cereal at the same time) and are watching YouTube videos. They're taking up to 2hour lunches while they play Pool (we have a table in the kitchen), chess at their computer during the day and other non-work related tasks.
So my argument is: I might have gone home 10 mins earlier today, but I'm at my desk working the rest. They are staying the full 8.5 hours, but are not working. Am I being pedantic?

ohreally

Your boss doesn't appear to have an issue with how others perform. Work the hours your supposed to work and when in Rome........

Guest101

aidso wrote: »

I'm wondering if I'm being pedantic or does this seem like an unfair situation?
I work in IT which is known for its "flexible" working hours - some times you'll be required to work late; most of the time it'll be fairly predictable. I am on a 42 hour contract which you could break down into a 9-5:30 day with 1 hour for lunch.

I would have worked something like 9:30 - 5:45 and taken the "missing" time from my lunch, or worked the extra time throughout the week so that the hours are correct at the end of the week...but have since been told that this is not allowed. 8.5 hours must be completed on the same day and the hour is non negotiable. Now this is fair enough if that's the company policy and could be a miscommunication on my part (it's not), but it now negates the flexible working hours offered by the company.
Where I have issue, is that looking around the office when I come in there are several people eating breakfast at their desk (you can't type and hold cereal at the same time) and are watching YouTube videos. They're taking up to 2hour lunches while they play Pool (we have a table in the kitchen), chess at their computer during the day and other non-work related tasks.
So my argument is: I might have gone home 10 mins earlier today, but I'm at my desk working the rest. They are staying the full 8.5 hours, but are not working. Am I being pedantic?

Legally the company doesn't have to enforce their rules on everyone, so they can pay the guy next to you to watch youtube all day and you to programme/troubleshoot/whatever.


It's not fair, but legally its ok.


(though I suspect your employer doesn't know this)


Having staff in during core hours is fairly standard, but if you accrue flexi, you don't have to typically take it the same day. So if you worked 15 minutes more mont-thurs, you could request to take it back Friday and leave at 4:30 - but it is a request and it should be noted somewhere.


If they are saying no to that, and assuming you have sufficient time in employment, you could work to contract and not stay late, but ultimately that wont help you in that role.


Ideally raise the issue (yours, not that of your colleagues) with a manager over a catch up and see what he/she says

1trainer1

You could describe every office job where people are slacking and getting away with it, some people just don't want to work for anything.

I'm lucky we get commission so you get paid more the more you work, don't let what others do bother you

Carrot007

Some boss's prefer to have people around at particular hours rather than them completing their work.

Same old. Same old.

Your only option is to put up with how they want it there or find somewhere else. Me I prefer boss's why care about what I get done rather than how I go about it so I know what would be my choice.

aidso

Cheers for the feedback - kind of expected whats been said above. Thought I was doing a good service by being flexible but the 9-5:30 is what I really don't want. It left me a bit frustrated after I was told, as there are days I need to leave earlier...does it make me childish if they ask me to stay later some night and I say no as they weren't flexible when I needed it?

ReadingTim

Concentrate on your own performance, not that of others' - that's your manager's job. And realise that sadly, "presenteeism" ie being physically there but doing nothing is far more socially acceptable than leaving early/not being there, even if the net contribution by the employee during that time is the same (ie nothing).

Sadly, I think you're on a hiding to nothing with this one.

agrinnall

If they expect you to be at work from 9 - 5:30 when are you allowed to take your accrued flexi-time? Is it only in full (or perhaps half) days, rather than odd hours here and there?

aidso

agrinnall wrote: »

If they expect you to be at work from 9 - 5:30 when are you allowed to take your accrued flexi-time? Is it only in full (or perhaps half) days, rather than odd hours here and there?

They're saying flexi doesn't exist beyond the day it was accrued. So if im in 30mins early, I can leave 30 mins early. But I can't carry the minutes across the week and take an hour or half a day on a Friday.

Guest101

aidso wrote: »

They're saying flexi doesn't exist beyond the day it was accrued. So if im in 30mins early, I can leave 30 mins early. But I can't carry the minutes across the week and take an hour or half a day on a Friday.

I think he/she meant on days when you work late? (or if not, that's what im asking )

aidso

On days you work late, you lose it. I could work 9-9 today and get nothing in return for the additional 4.5 hours of effort - that's the IT sector. I accept that.

So back in April we were "forced" to sign contracts that said you are required to work overtime and not get paid for it beyond your salary..so that would include banking time.
If we were required to support a request in the evening or out of hours (rarely happens), then they'd give you time back in lieu to use for a half day etc. But if they asked you to stay 3 hours later to finish something off then you wouldnt be entitled to a half day off. Wishy-washy I know.