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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To arrive at work and make a cup of coffee?

254 replies

FunnysInLaJardin · 07/02/2014 22:20

I have been criticised today for arriving at work and after logging on etc making a cup of coffee. Doesn't everyone do this? Or am I living in the dark ages and I should arrive and start work straight away? Maybe I should delay my first cup of coffee for a half an hour or some such?

OP posts:
scantilymad · 07/02/2014 22:47

Yanbu. It's good time management to put the kettle on whilst the PC is starting up....

gimcrack · 07/02/2014 22:54

That's petty. I once worked somewhere where I was criticised if I used the loo any time within the hour before I left. My boss was a bullying twat, though.

Bunbaker · 07/02/2014 22:58

"Blimey I make my drink after logging - making use of the fact it takes AGES to boot up and be operational..."

Same here, but I always get to work earl anyway as I have to drop DD off at the bus stop.

Nearly everyone at work makes a drink when they first get in as our company is on a trading estate and nowhere near a Starbucks or any other place selling coffee etc.

SeaSickSal · 07/02/2014 23:01

It's normal.

The only time I can see it being genuinely a problem is if every time you do it, it means that you aren't actually at your desk working until 10 minutes after your start time every day.

MrsOakenshield · 07/02/2014 23:04

I always do it, and I rock up bang on time - I used to get there early but then they moved the office to somewhere with much worse train connections so I have no choice but to get in on the dot (can't take DD to nursery any earlier). I think frankly tough tit for moving the office to such a place, they were told! My immediate boss doesn't care - I always make her one too!

MoveYourArmsLikeHenry · 07/02/2014 23:06

My bosses will make a cup of tea in the morning. The rest of us are not allowed. They also have a wee chat during the day about all sorts and eat sweets. The rest of us are not so much as allowed to discuss what the bloody weather is like outside, never mind what we got up to at the weekend.

We are prohibited for filling our water bottles outside our break and lunch times, an it is frowned upon to use the loo too many times outside these times.

Medical and dentist appointments must be arranged at the end of the day and you must make sure you get someone on an earlier shift to swap with you so you cause least amount of disruption.

I could go on.

BrianTheMole · 07/02/2014 23:09

I always did when I worked in an office. Then I took it to my desk to drink it whilst working. Nowadays I work from home so I can do what I want. No one to spy on me.

Wantsunshine · 07/02/2014 23:09

You are I a professional job, if she has an issue with this then ensure you are not working evenings/weekends which most jobs do. Work to rule if you can't make a coffee. Can these type of people realise they are shooting themselves in the foot. What a terrible manager. I recommend jobserve or similar!

BrianTheMole · 07/02/2014 23:11

Jeez, what job do you do moveyouraems? Thats shite!!

livelablove · 07/02/2014 23:11

Moveyourarms I vote you have the worst job! Of course all workplaces are different, but generally one of the perks of working in an office is a bit of flexibility in allowing you to get a drink and so on.

sublimecorpse · 07/02/2014 23:13

That's what everyone in my office does. They also make toast and porridge Grin

SwedishEdith · 07/02/2014 23:13

Totally normal. Some of you sound like you work in some dreadful places. Fair enough if you're working in A&E or similar but an office?

minibmw2010 · 07/02/2014 23:14

Sorry I haven't read the thread but ... It depends, are you due to start work at 9 so you arrive at 9 and then you go and make a coffee and get back to your desk at 9.15?

yummystepford · 07/02/2014 23:15

In my last job the policy was to be ready to work for 9am. Coffee already made and on desk and computer on and ready to go. Tbf I think it's slightly unfair that we have to be there before we get paid to allow for the pcs to load? I understand to make a cuppa and stuff

MoveYourArmsLikeHenry · 07/02/2014 23:18

I work in child care. Yes, the cup of tea thing, fair enough. But not even being allowed to talk about anything other than work? Pppffft! It's a stressful job, need to relieve your strain somehow.

Can't tell you the number of times I got a bollocking because a form of conversation "slipped out". Colleague and I were discussing what we were making for dinner that night and got "told off" as it apparently wasn't appropriate. Oh, the absolute shame of it Hmm

HadABadDay2014 · 07/02/2014 23:19

I couldn't function without my coffee before work, so have 1 while setting up.

BrianTheMole · 07/02/2014 23:40

That sounds like a rubbish place to work moveyourarms. Why do some people feel the need to be so controlling. You need a new job.

JadziaSnax · 07/02/2014 23:52

I work flexitime so do clock in & out. I always make a coffee whilst my lappy is booting up, as does everyone else. I also have to nip to the loo on my way in, the joys of a 40 mile commute

When I've worked in call centres, I've had to be logged on by shift start time so would get a coffee on my way to my desk.

Call centres are the worst for loo & brew pettiness IME.

SinglePringle · 07/02/2014 23:55

I do as you do OP and would take great offence at being told IWBU. That said, I got to the office at 7.40 this morning and left at 9.45pm. Anyone who criticised my coffee making when I'm doing those hours would see my Dark Side.

whois · 08/02/2014 00:02

Yeah another one for having a cup of coffee on arrival. Was perfect as my computer took so long to not up I could make one and be back at my desk before the password screen but I got a new computer this week which is much quicker.

Totaly normal at my work, but then it's also totally normal to check emails when you get up and work late so grabbing a coffee from the machine isn't a biggie.

JohnCusacksWife · 08/02/2014 00:52

You can't move in our office kitchen between 9-9.15 for people making tea / coffee / toast / porridge. Completely normal practice....YADNBU.

MsAspreyDiamonds · 08/02/2014 03:04

I do this, I switch on my computer & make myself a coffee and by the time I get to my desk the old dinosaur has come to life. I see this as multitasking although I too have been criticised by a colleague who interestingly starts an hour earlier than I do but still in her coat talking by the time I get in at 10am. She also has many, many time wasting tips and is completel unmanageable that the big bosses have given up on her.

HicDraconis · 08/02/2014 03:13

fair enough if you're working in A&E or similar - I work in a similar environment (theatres) and we all make coffee when we arrive! I just try not to drink it in front of patients :)

MrsAMerrick · 08/02/2014 03:59

I think there has to be a bit of flexibility in office environments. I usually arrive at Work around 8.15, switch pc on and then make a cuppa, have a quick chat to whoever else is in. However, I then put 8.30 down on my timesheet because that's when I start doing real work.

I have a colleague who wanders in at about 9.35, which is ok as we all work different hours, but then spends 10 minutes faffing around making tea, going to the loo etc before finally stating work around 09.45. However, she always puts 09.30 down as her start time. I think that's taking the piss tbh.

Custardo · 08/02/2014 04:06

LTB

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