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Original poster

Saying "I start at 9.30"?

276 replies

cjt110 · 17/09/2018 10:55

I changed my work hours recently to accommodate my son now going to school. I start at 9.30, have half an hours lunch and finish at 5.30. I also have reduced my days from 5 to 4.

Since I changed my hours, I regularly get into the office at approx 9.15-9.20. Also regularly, I get my boss, and other departmental bosses, ringing/speaking to me as soon as I get in.

This morning, I walked in the door at 9.15, hadn't even put my bags down to my boss saying "I've emailed you X and we need to do Y" followed by a conversation about X and Y. I politely said "Ok, fine. Just let me get in the door first"

No sooner had my boss walked away, another boss came up saying "I know you don't til 9.30 but could you check....."

This is becoming a regular nonoccurence. The odd conversation here or there fine but this is happening almost daily now.

How do I address this? I don't want to be rude but I also want to say "Hang on, it's not 9.30 yet - go away!"

OP posts:
Original poster
cjt110 · 17/09/2018 11:41

BlueberryPud I start work as soon as I've made tea and taken my coat off And I'd be happy to do the same, except I haven't even got to my desk, taken off said coat or bag before it starts

OP posts:
Nicknacky · 17/09/2018 11:43

I get that at work too, can’t even say I notice it happens. I just talk about what ever the issue is while I’m taking my coat off and starting my computer.

ShotsFired · 17/09/2018 11:43

@HermioneGoesBackHome Except that you might have to acceptbthat you arriving after everyone else has already settled down. For them, it’s not settling time still, have a cuppa etc... but the day in full swing.

Exactly this. YOU may just have arrived, but everyone else has been there for an hour, hour and half, so they are running at a different speed to you. I'd also go with friendly acknowledgement, then carry on taking coat off, logging on etc.

Certainly wouldn't be pissy about it as a pp says, there'll be some give and take for sure (and you don't want to be that person anyway).

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General relationships
60sname · 17/09/2018 11:44

I flex the other way and have already been working for an hour when most people arrive. By the time they do I have usually accumulated various questions and have to constantly remind myself not to 'jump on' people when they walk through the door. Grin

Odoreida · 17/09/2018 11:45

You are definitely going to need to leave early one day soon. Just deal with it now and then the next time you need to run out of the door at 4.30 for a school thing, go happily knowing you have made up the time and are a good colleague and employee.

TheOrigFV45 · 17/09/2018 11:49

"Good morning, let me just get myself settled and then I'll see what it is you're after".

If they can't accept that then you'll need to be a bit forthright eg. "I'd like to just take my coat off and make a cuppa before I start work"

FizzyOrange · 17/09/2018 11:49

I have had the same problem OP and it drove me mad!

We had to put our bags in lockers and I would be raising my bag to my locker, coat still on and have pieces of paper stuffed under my nose and being asked a load of questions as I was doing it!

What worked in the end was to say politely 'let me put my bag away and take my coat off and then I can give you my full attention', then doing these things and then approaching the person with a calm smile.

ScattyCharly · 17/09/2018 11:51

I think yabu
If you want to eat a sandwich before 9:30 then do it in your car or outside. I think it’s reasonable to assume that someone arriving in the office is going to work.
Whilst legally you are not in the wrong, I do think it kind of implies that you are there for the minimum hours and to pick up the pay cheque and don’t really care much about the job. This might not be the case, but this is what I personally would conclude so be aware that whilst you can tell me you don’t agree with me or that I am wrong, your colleagues are free to draw the conclusion that I just drew.
You changed your hours to accommodate your ds school drop off. If you’re in the office, it means he’s dropped off. So why can you not start work?
It must be frustrating for colleagues working company standard hours who need to speak to you but cannot do this for the first hour because your hours have been shifted. This is probably why they pounce on you.

GunpowderGelatine · 17/09/2018 11:53

Sit in your car til 9.28!

Immigrantsong · 17/09/2018 11:54

As a Union rep at work, I have lost count of the times I keep saying to people to please just work your working hours. If everyone just did their working hours employers would stop taking advantage. Please be more vocal. If someone comes to you earlier than 9.30 just state that you will be with them in 15 minutes and walk away. Or stay in the tea/coffee room until your start time. You are effectively going to need to manage how this pans out as people will take and take if you don't protect your rights. Good luck and stay strong.

Uncreative · 17/09/2018 11:54

How about smiling and saying ‘Sure, just let me log in and then I will come and find you’.

Andro · 17/09/2018 11:56

The problem with pouncing is that the pounced upon is likely to forget everything they've been asked - at least let a person get to their desk (all hands on deck emergencies aside).

Thebluedog · 17/09/2018 11:57

The problem with starting at this time is most people are up and running before you get in, and might be waiting for you to come in.

I think they’ve been flexible with you around your working hours, they seem aware you don’t start till 9.30 (your boss saying that when asking for stuff), then there’s nothing wrong with you being flexible, making a note of what help they need and looking at it once you’re logged in with a cuppa in your hand

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 17/09/2018 11:58

If you don't feel like saying "Sure, I'll get on to that as soon as I start at 9:30" (which is one option), then you probably need to only turn up with a couple of minutes to spare.
Or, tell them that if they want you to start at 9:15 then they need to pay you accordingly.

StealthPolarBear · 17/09/2018 12:01

She is starting work! I can't believe people aren't seeing this. She has no problems with starting work before 9.30 she just wants to take her coat off and make a coffee first

StealthPolarBear · 17/09/2018 12:02

But I agree there's no way to deal with it once and for all, you just need to continue with "let me just take my coat off..." "give me a couple of minutes to get my computer on..." etc

ForgivenessIsDivine · 17/09/2018 12:03

What hours do other people do? and what hours are they contracted for?

Is there someone covering the 9-9:30 and the one day you are not there?

Are there other people in the department on flexible hours?

If there reality is that everyone arrives at 8:30, has a chit chat and then starts work, it is not unreasonable to expect them to be in full flow by 9:30.. you both need to adapt to this change that you have requested and they have granted.

I know your salary will have been adjusted to reflect these change in hours, however, the work has probably not changed to reflect this and also, it is quite possible that others in your department do not stick exactly to their hours to the minute, so probably expect the same from you are not watching the clock before they ask you a question.

Accept that the flexibility you have been allowed has consequences to you and your colleagues and find a way to deal with it. Mentally prepare yourself before you walk in that door rather than expect to be able to do that after you arrive.

StealthPolarBear · 17/09/2018 12:05

She has adapted. She's ready afbd in full flow for 9.30. But she can't appear miraculously, she has to physically be there to make that happen, to be ready to go at or before 9.30. And that's the time people are expecting her answers on stuff.

RiverTam · 17/09/2018 12:06

It’s an absolute lack of social skills on the part of the person asking.

Once you’re at your desk logged on, fine. But still wearing your coat? Fuck off.

ShotsFired · 17/09/2018 12:07

Do people actually KNOW you start at 9.30? (as in know, and remember it on a daily basis)

Because they may not, and just see you arrive at some point and assume you're ready to go. So you then (seeming to) faff round and demanding to make tea could be a bit annoying given they think you are at work so your tea can just wait, right?

loadthetoad · 17/09/2018 12:07

I manage and employ people and I would think it a pretty poor show if one of my team had an attitude such as the one you’ve described.

I don’t ask people things before they’ve even taken their coats off etc but I would once they’re at their desk / standing making a drink even if it were 15 minutes or so before their ‘start’ time.

Well you'd be a real joy to work for.

WhitefriarsDillyDuck · 17/09/2018 12:08

Honestly, people who take 30 mins for lunch piss the others off enough to begin with as most people would like to start later or finish earlier and do this (but die t needs of business may not be available for all). In lots of business you never get an hour anyway. So I would suck it up- you have been given a very valuable benefit.

StealthPolarBear · 17/09/2018 12:09

Op go on with a paper bag on your head with eye holes and your out of office message printed on it :o. You can remorse the bag as soon as you're set up.

MozzieMagnet · 17/09/2018 12:10

So this never happened with your previous start time, how come?

1Wanda1 · 17/09/2018 12:11

If you have a job where you are paid by the hour, then it's reasonable to say you're only "on duty" in your working hours.

If you have a job in which you are paid a salary, then unless you want to be labelled "lazy", YABU to say you won't "start work" until 9.30 even if you arrive a few minutes before.