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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

would you leave "early" on your first day of a new job?

164 replies

happydutchmummy · 09/09/2013 21:48

We had a new colleague start today and I did her induction and new starter thing this morning. I wasn't the one who'd interviewed her, but I spoke to her on the phone when she accepted the job. Both times she asked what her set working hours would be and both times I explained that we operate a flexible working policy in our office, as long as she is there during core hours, she can choose to work around them as she wishes (e.g. come in early and leave early, or start at 9 but stay till later)

She approached me at ten to four to ask if it would be on for her to leave at 4:00 today as she had wanted to come in at 8:00 but was told she couldn't as I don't start til 8:30 and I was settling her in. So basically she wanted to leave half an hour early as she felt she could have started work earlier but was delayed by my start time! I told her she was free to leave whatever time she wanted, but she would have to make up the extra half hour of work later in the week as she'd not worked her full hours for today.

Aibu to find this a bit odd? During my first weeks in the office I was eager to be seen as keen and enthusiastic and I wouldn't have dreamt of leaving early, especially not on day 1! Or is her attitude totally acceptable as we do work flexible hours...

OP posts:
ArabellaBeaumaris · 09/09/2013 21:51

I think it is a bit odd for the first week. Interested to see responses as I am starting a new job soon!

HerBigChance · 09/09/2013 21:51

It is definitely odd on her first day, and unwise to blame you for it.

She could have said she wanted to work those hours every day, and would make up the half hour later in the week.

littleblackno · 09/09/2013 21:52

I would find this a bit odd tbh. Our office do the same sort of flexible hours but in your induction you have to be there when the other staff are inducting you are there (unless agreed otherwise, childcare etc). Not really starting on the right foot really is she?

waltzingmathilda · 09/09/2013 21:54

does she have child care to sort or an elderly parent?

mumofweeboys · 09/09/2013 21:54

I wouldnt have had the nerve to ask to leave

lborolass · 09/09/2013 21:54

Is it her first job or is she quite young? Some young people seem to lack any kind of understanding of what's expected of an employee ime.

It would be a mark against her in my book

Calloh · 09/09/2013 21:55

It's not showing massive enthusiasm for the job. Does she have childcare issues or doing an evening course?

BigPawsBrown · 09/09/2013 21:55

I wouldn't do that on the first day of a job unless absolutely unavoidable, but best to give benefit of the doubt that something serious has come up.

HarkAtYou · 09/09/2013 21:55

Perhaps she had an appointment to keep...?

hettienne · 09/09/2013 21:55

I'd assume she has something like childcare to rush back for.

Bloodsocks · 09/09/2013 21:56

I left early on my first day, they ran out of stuff to show me and told me I could go home early!

Coffeenowplease · 09/09/2013 21:59

Did she say why ?

trashcanjunkie · 09/09/2013 22:02

if she has an awkward/vulnerable/troublesome teen or teens, who leave the house at half seven in the morning for an eight thirty start, she may be just desperate to get home and check the house is still standing at the other end of the day. Said teen could have left school as early as two forty. This age are difficult to arrange childcare for, and it's mortifying to have to explain. Less embarrassing to leave slightly early.

KirjavaTheCat · 09/09/2013 22:05

It's a new job, I really doubt she'd have left unless she had a very good reason for doing so.

She might still be sorting childcare.

Original poster
happydutchmummy · 09/09/2013 22:05

She doesn't have anything to rush back for like childcare or having to catch a particular train, etc. I just got the impression she felt like I 'owed' her the half hour as I don't start til 8:30 (I do have childcare so can't change my start time easily!) Plus she agreed to an 8:30 start today!

I just found her whole attitude a bit 'off' about it, but was wondering if my normal meter was broken. But it doesn't scream of enthusiasm for the job really, does it.

OP posts:
lborolass · 09/09/2013 22:06

Maybe she has a whole houseful of unruly teens but if she hadn't had the nous to make proper arrangements on her first day at a new job I wouldn't be too happy.

BrokenSunglasses · 09/09/2013 22:09

She has a bad attitude to work. You just don't do that on your first day.

SPBisResisting · 09/09/2013 22:09

Yanbu but ive started to notice this more and more. No kne seems to want ti make a good impression any more

ArabellaBeaumaris · 09/09/2013 22:09

Is she young?

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 09/09/2013 22:09

It's not ideal is it?

Jinsei · 09/09/2013 22:10

No, I'd be a bit Hmm if a new employee behaved like this! I hope you've got her on probation, OP! I smell trouble....

PasswordProtected · 09/09/2013 22:11

On your first day or even for your first week, you stick to the normal hours for the team or department, because you need to know what is going on.

Greydog · 09/09/2013 22:12

Seems a bit of a casual attitude to a new job. Maybe she wont come back tomorrow (that happened once when we had a new group of people in to train - one of them went for lunch and never came back!)

Pimpf · 09/09/2013 22:12

How old is she? Is this her 1st job?

Juniperdewdropofbrandy · 09/09/2013 22:12

Yes I smell trouble too.