Daily work start time

[Jimmy Stang]

I have always had a "it all comes out in the wash" sort of opinion on work times. Obviously, this has to work both ways. This isn't as easy to do in retail and in a lot of customer service industries. 90% of my job doesn't have a specific time that things need to be done at, and the other 10% could easily be done remotely if necessary. Even with that sort of flexibility, I'm still usually here at 8:00. Sometimes a few minutes before, sometimes a few minutes after.

If I'm in 5, 10, or 15 minutes late, I don't expect that my employer will nickel and dime me. That being said, there are times when I start lunch late (or not at all!), stay late, work from home to fix some sort of problem, etc.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by The Goon

Details, details.

Are you asking for details?

It isn't legal to dock pay for time worked. Simple as that. Perceived slacking isn't reasonable justification.

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

I have always had a "it all comes out in the wash" sort of opinion on work times. Obviously, this has to work both ways. This isn't as easy to do in retail and in a lot of customer service industries. 90% of my job doesn't have a specific time that things need to be done at, and the other 10% could easily be done remotely if necessary. Even with that sort of flexibility, I'm still usually here at 8:00. Sometimes a few minutes before, sometimes a few minutes after.

If I'm in 5, 10, or 15 minutes late, I don't expect that my employer will nickel and dime me. That being said, there are times when I start lunch late (or not at all!), stay late, work from home to fix some sort of problem, etc.

yes, and I believe you are right and that it all comes out in the wash. Well, at least I hope so, which is why I have made the reminders somewhat "light" in nature.
I appreciate the extra 5 or 10 minutes late into the lunch hour and after work but its not like it doesnt go unnoticed because I will on occassion give them paid time off if its slow or to go run a personal errand etc.
Its just the starting time that drives me crazy. I dont know why but it does. Maybe its because I am always at work early and always have been.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Are you asking for details?

It isn't legal to dock pay for time worked. Simple as that. Perceived slacking isn't reasonable justification.

However, it is a reason (i.e. late for work..) for a person to lose his / her job.

Some companies have zero tolerance for that type of stuff....

[BigBrodieFan]

Originally Posted by Sample00

you are right and I am railing on the young. I suppose there is probably just as many old doing exactly the same thing.

About the CP thing though, I own the business. Personally, I should be able to do whatever I want. Also, I've been at work for an hour already, trying to get everyone else's day organized.

And as for the other poster, I am not going to tell them to start work at 7:45AM and 11:45 because the will expect pay for this and although I am not apposed to paying them for their time, I am apposed in paying for them to be ready for work.

I have been 'boss' to two girls, ages 24 and 25 now, for 2 years. They drive me absolutely insane on a daily basis. I am 36, a woman, and I work in an IT related business so it's hard for me to gain respect in the first place. I have to put up with men patronizing me and making constant sexual innuendos- but the two girls bother me more than anything.

They are CS (like your people). They handle our client calls and changes to accounts. They come in late EVERY DAY, they are always eating/drinking coffee/making coffee and they are continually grouchy, like they are doing me a huge favour by being here. I know they are on facebook (I don't care, so am I) during the day and they goof off on the internet, but what bothers me is their lack of respect and their attitude. They'll come in at 8:15 (we work 8-5) and then leave at 5:10 and request overtime for the 10 minutes extra they've worked.

You SHOULD be able to come and go when you want and even more important, you SHOULD be able to trust your employees to run your business when you are gone. I make commission and part of it is retaining customers. With their flippant attitudes it's hard sometimes.

If I were you, I would have a meeting with them and tell them 'Look, this is what bothers me, if you want to keep your job, I expect you to behave a certain way.' Lay down the law. If they hate you, who cares- hire someone else. It normally takes me about 4 hires to get to someone who's reliable and efficient.

Good luck

[mikey_the_redneck]

I am the last person to the office pretty much every day, but I am also the last to leave the office at the end of the day.

As long as I work the hours they pay me for, no harm no foul. I work relatively independently, so I don't have to deal with customers and that sort of thing.

[zukes]

I don't think age is a factor for this. There are many people who feel their job is to be at the job place from the start of their scheduled time, to the end and that is it. People don't understand that they are to be working those times.

When I was a salaried employee, I had no problem being in well before I needed to be. I found that I was most producitve early in the morning. Come 2:30 or so, I was useless. I was supposed to work 8:00 - 4:00. I was in by no later than 7:30, sometimes as early as 6:00. My bosses were always cool though because a lot of the time I was so caught up that by noon I was looking for things to do, and eventually I was pretty much allowed to leave early when I knew my work was caught up and nobody else was in dire need of help.

It's weird, now that I am basically self-employed, I have trouble getting into the office for 8:30. I have no set time to start or finish, or even show up at all. I work when I want, as long as I want, again, assuming my work is up to date. It takes me forever to get started once I am in as I read the internet, make my fantasy moves etc. I find myself still at the office at 5:00pm as I somehow get into a groove some days later.

I am actually going to force myself in early and get in that habit before golf weather gets here again as with my new job, part of it is marketing, so a couple times a week, I will be bailing at 11:00am to golf errr market.

[fredr123]

Noticed Sample00's changed his avatar. Nice!

[Cscutch]

I am that worker that just show up on time, and then socializes for the first 15min of my shift. But here is the thing. My co-worker always shows up before me and starts right away... But I am just more efficient and will always get more work done during the day then him.

Shouldn't the results be looked at, not the exact working time of the employee? I know that some positions need that presence there to be part of the job such as a waitress.

Chris

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by flambers

However, it is a reason (i.e. late for work..) for a person to lose his / her job.

Some companies have zero tolerance for that type of stuff....

You would be well-served to document all the lates and absences in the employee's file and make sure there are plenty of warnings on the file both verbal and written before terminating an employee for being late if you want to limit your exposure for a wrongful dismissal lawsuit (or worse) human rights complaint.

A punch clock might be something to consider too in order to track hourly employees.

[troutman]

Long White Beard – "The polite way to let people know you've been waiting." Featured various cast members and actors wearing obviously fake, long, white beards in situations where someone has kept them waiting. [SNL]

[worth]

Has anyone read Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People"? I'm sure many have.

The books is like 75 years old but is still extremely relevant in today's workplace.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by BigBrodieFan

IThey'll come in at 8:15 (we work 8-5) and then leave at 5:10 and request overtime for the 10 minutes extra they've worked.

That's different though. They're actually showing up late.

If you're at work at the required start time, and make a pot of coffee, check your emails, and BS for 15 minutes then get to work, you're still there on time, you're just not being productive. I don't see how it's any different than the guy who's at his desk ready to work at the start time, but then has a smoke break an hour later.

[BigBrodieFan]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

That's different though. They're actually showing up late.

If you're at work at the required start time, and make a pot of coffee, check your emails, and BS for 15 minutes then get to work, you're still there on time, you're just not being productive. I don't see how it's any different than the guy who's at his desk ready to work at the start time, but then has a smoke break an hour later.

And that's another thing they do- (now that you've got me started)- They get up and smoke at least twice an hour. Every time I turn around one or the other is going outside to smoke. I am glad I don't share an office with them or I'd be sick from the smell. (Done ranting)

[The Goon]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Are you asking for details?

It isn't legal to dock pay for time worked. Simple as that. Perceived slacking isn't reasonable justification.

Heh - I wasn't actually asking for details.

It's probably also illegal to beat them senseless but it might be effective.

/just trying to think outside the box

[peter12]

You've got to love Sample complaining about two of his young employees' tardiness while he dithers away the morning on Calgarypuck.

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by peter12

You've got to love Sample complaining about two of his young employees' tardiness while he dithers away the morning on Calgarypuck.

see post 11, "young Peter12"!

[worth]

Originally Posted by peter12

You've got to love Sample complaining about two of his young employees' tardiness while he dithers away the morning on Calgarypuck.

I missed you.

[bc-chris]

back in the day when i did construction it was very very clear - you are ready to start work at 7am... if that means you need to get to work 15 minutes early then so be it.

i was the primary forklift operator so i was always at the site around 6:40am, get the machined warmed up and get the tools onto the floor for the guys so they could start work at 7.

everyone worked until 4:50pm and then would put their tools back and be done by 5pm. i had to stick around to ensure all tools were returned/put away and do a final walk thru of the building - so i was usually done sometime between 5:15- 5:20. i got an extra 1/2 hour pay - so i was all good with that.

i guess the main thing my employer stressed was you come to work to WORK - not sit around and bs.

now that i own my own business i totally 'get' where my old boss was coming from. the nice thing for me is the guys that i employ get paid by the piece - so if they aren't working they aren't making $$

oh - and with the age thing - i don't think it's a generation thing. i find that people are the way they are. i know people that no matter what time they need to be somewhere they are ALWAYS late and others that are ALWAYS early - it's just them

[peter12]

Fotze's comment was the best. Some jackasses are early, some are late. When I'm in school, I'm always early. Work, it just depends (sadly) on the boss.