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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:
BeenFluffy · 09/09/2013 23:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FredFredGeorge · 09/09/2013 23:05

Iborolas No I don't blame the employer, but the lack of communication between both failed here - despite asking twice about the flexible hours, she wasn't informed that they weren't flexible on day one. I wouldn't have a problem with a member of my team doing as described on their first day, particularly if flexible working had been such a key part of the negotiation.

I manage a team that work in an office, with flexible and core hours and I don't have a clue what hours they are - my first day was 10:30am to 4:50, I never have new starters arrive before 10. My team, and the individuals are measured on what we produce, not the hours we do, the contracted hours are there to fall back when people have opted out of work and need disciplining, they are not there simply to measure time.

Kaekae · 09/09/2013 23:07

She probably won't be back tomorrow!

McNewPants2013 · 09/09/2013 23:09

Perhaps new starters should have set hours so they know where they stand.

come in early and leave early, or start at 9 but stay till later perhaps as this is what she was told then she thought i was right to ask.

Original poster
happydutchmummy · 09/09/2013 23:13

fredfred I see your point but she agreed to the 8:30 start time. And surely on the first day of your job you want to show a bit of enthusiasm for working there?

sui you worked your full hours today, and didn't blame your new managers working hours as your reason for leaving. And the fact that you are willing to log in once kids are in bed shows oodles of enthusiasm. Don't panic and good luck with the new job!

doodle my fear is more that she will come back tomorrow (with the same attitude/level of enthusiasm)

OP posts:
Wittsend13 · 09/09/2013 23:18

No I have to say when I've started new jobs, I've always left early. although I'd never ask to go home. Cut her some slack. She could have been nervous, had an issue at home she needed to attend too, anything.

OutragedFromLeeds · 09/09/2013 23:22

I don't think she did anything that terrible. Give her another chance. Who wants to be judged forevermore on one comment made on one, probably quite stressful, day?

fuckwittery · 09/09/2013 23:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

williaminajetfighter · 09/09/2013 23:25

OP yanbu. If she had a reason to leave early the polite thing would be to let you know earlier in the day. Regardless of whether its flex working the appropriate thing is to show some chutzpah and stay the distance.

I had a staff member who started off having to leave early and come in late, hen wanted condensed hours, then asked to work from home a few days, then was applying to work from home 100%. Nightmare. No commitments btw just didn't like the commute into work.

We all have commitments, things we need to do or places to go after work but having this impact on your job on day1 is not on.

WafflyVersatile · 09/09/2013 23:26

Good for her. I like her. Grin

On my first day at one job I threw up twice in two different toilets (not drink related) and went home.

MortifiedAdams · 09/09/2013 23:48

OP this is why we have three month probationary periods Wink

peggyundercrackers · 10/09/2013 00:01

it doesn't seem that unreasonable. your place of work offers flexible working which is what she has done - as long as she does her hours all week whats to worry about.

some people like to come to work do their work and go home at finish time and are not interested in staying late - that's absolutely fine and there is nothing wrong with it if their work is done to the correct standard and you are happy with the amount of work they have done. not everyone wants to work longer hours than they are contracted to work for no extra pay.

aftermay · 10/09/2013 00:06

Would you really have had work for her to do in that extra half an hour? Or just for the sake of it so she knows who's boss? As for enthusiasm, maybe she was bored senseless. It can happen.

KnitFastDieWarm · 10/09/2013 02:07

One thing that pops into my head her is Asperger's syndrome - I have it, and office nuances are a nightmare for me because if someone says 'we operate flexible hours' in the manner you describe in your OP, i would take them completely literally :-s
Just a thought, before jumping to any conclusions - try a week or so of being very, very clear and direct with her about your expectations. If she's on the spectrum and anything like me she'll feel much more settled and able to give her best; if she's just someone with a bad attitude she'll realise you're onto her ;-p

NatashaBee · 10/09/2013 02:22

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SmallTorch · 10/09/2013 02:42

I don't see such a big problem, if the office works with flexible hours.

Perhaps she works to live rather than lives to work. That doesn't necessarily mean she will be bad at her job.

GertBySea · 10/09/2013 03:40

I would be interested to hear if she turns up tomorrow. I've had someone do something like this and they never came back.

CairngormsClydesdale · 10/09/2013 03:54

Actually I think YABU. She was told she had flexi hours, then on her first day you tell her "well yes you do, as long as they're the same as mine".

You sound like a right jobsworth tbh.

exoticfruits · 10/09/2013 06:25

Is it not just that she took the job, having decided for herself that she could manage because she would start early and then be able to leave at 4 for any care commitments? She wouldn't have factored in that she wasn't able to have an early start on the first day. I would wait and see what she is like from now on.

littlewhitebag · 10/09/2013 06:40

My feeling is that today she will come in early and leave at 4 as that is the hours she wants to do. I would give her the benefit of the doubt until she has been there for a while and you can see how she manages the actual work.

littlewhitebag · 10/09/2013 06:42

My feeling is that today she will come in early and leave at 4 as that is the hours she wants to do. I would give her the benefit of the doubt until she has been there for a while and you can see how she manages the actual work.

Dackyduddles · 10/09/2013 06:51

Exit, your post made me laugh!

I did that 10years ago. Wonder if was me ha ha! Boss was male and a rude shit. I was a temp. I tried to view him as a 'character' for 2.5 hrs. Then realised he was just a rude entitled shit so went for a sandwich, called agency, refused to return.

You need to go through the motions of caring and finding out what's gone on. However I would be assessing how her work turns out. You will need a reason. This in itself is not enough.

FryOneFatManic · 10/09/2013 06:52

I negotiated the hours for my new job. They have flexi but do like to know roughly what hours people will be looking to be in. As it is, due to traffic considerations I am in earlier than planned but leave on time, so building up some time.

Bowlersarm · 10/09/2013 06:54

I would have thought most people on the first day of a new job would be over eager to impress, not show a bit of an attitude.

However, she does deserve the benefit of the doubt.

FryOneFatManic · 10/09/2013 06:55

Posted too soon...

The first couple of days in a new job can often seem boring. I started a couple of weeks ago, and it was a sit and twiddle thumbs until I got to meet the right person who was able to give me work to do, not just show me something. I now have my teeth in a project that is keeping me very busy. I like being busy at work.