To arrive at work and make a cup of coffee?

[FunnysInLaJardin]

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?

if you are at a senior level dont put up with that kind of crap!

Grunt Yes, they are, love. I've been doing it for years as do most people where I work. You may be horrified to read this but sometimes mid-morning I even go back to the canteen for my second coffee of the day. My manager also gets his breakfast after he logs in.

Depends on what is acceptable in your workplace. We get in at 9, and then all brew the coffee, make our breakfasts and set about work.

Southeastdweller thanks for the clarification. I'm typing this very quickly as I can feel that I'm about to pass out through extreme 'horrified-osity-ness'

thud

I wonder if any research study has been done into the correlation between

• degree off pettiness (micromanagement, timing loo and drink breaks, people stopping for a brief friendly water-cooler chat)

And

• productivity levels.

I bet you anything the organisations who are high on the petty nitpicky clockwatchy micromanagement, experience a high incidence of time off, sickness, stress and general lack of loyalty from staff to the organisation.

And those who treat people like human beings, with respect and trust, get far more from those staff, because they love going to work, dont take the piss, and would even put in extra time if needed.

The other thing is "it isn't the hours you put into work, but the work you put into the hours". Some people have a different work rate, they can get stuff done bish, bash, bosh. Counting the minutes from when you physically park your bum on a computer chair, is a pointless exercise over the course of a day, week, month etc and can be misleading. Often it's about perception, someone doing "busy work", flitting around or typing out a shopping list, may llok good, but could actually be contributing bugger all, they may be less productive than someone who has a cup of coffee, a quick hello, then completes their objectives in half the time! All relative.

It isn't rocket science! Why don't they get it??

Hope you get a new job soon, Funnys [coffee] enjoy!!!

Oops

My contract hours are 9-5 but actual hours are 8.30 whilst 5.30.

So I get in at 8.25 and go off and have a brew before cracking on.

Have to say it would not impress me if anyone wandered in at 9.15 (late) then went off to make a brew etc unless of course there was a good reason for lateness (travel problems etc)

daisychain01- yes, there has been quite a bit of research about just that. Haven't got any of the research to hand but it's part of 'behavioural economics'. As expected, low-trust models of management get a lack of loyalty from their staff. Micro-management simply results in staff seeking to regain some control in other ways - stealing stationery, not working quite as "hard" as they could etc. It really isn't hard to understand and yet some employers must think the trade off (low morale, high staff turnover and then higher training costs etc ) is worth it? High unemployment rates are on their side though

We have to be ready by a certain time to start work. there was one pr two that would rock in with seconds to spare, and then piss around in thr staff room - finishing brekkie, slowly taking off coats etc, making calls/texts/checking fb, and then go and make a coffee. so they would come out 15 minutes later.. Management put an end to it becuase others complained about it every week at staff meeting. Once we had started work, we could then have drinks but because of the piss takers, now its only in break times, again because of the complaints..Unless you Are off timetable then you can do as you wish and maangement will even make you coffee's or ask one of the secretaries to do it if they happen to walk past. this really winds the complainers up, but nothing they can do

I make coffee before doing anything else, but I'm never late anyway so it's usually around 7.40am.

I have two workplaces that I divide my week between and the day always starts in the same way: boss (me) gets in, starts computer, makes coffee for myself and whoever is around, has a chat and then checks e-mail. We all wok damned hard and that 30 minutes or so in the morning is important to all of us. I'm also the best coffee maker so they wait for me!!!

Have worked in both the battery hen every-piss-is-timed environment and the sort of environment where wandering over the road for a cooked breakfast is just not considered a problem, because it's assumed and expected you'll get your work done anyway.

In my current environment, "coming in, chatting to colleagues, wandering off to kitchen, chatting to colleagues there, coming back to desk, chatting again" isn't just not inappropriate, it's a critical part of being effective at my job - lots of informal chats here and there to keep communication flowing and stuff on track.

Good luck with finding a new job OP!

I am a nanny [live in] so when I go down to start my day at work my boss makes me a cup of tea and I sit on the couch for 10 minutes I do, do actual work after my cup of tea and if there was a drama I would deal with it

Swedishedith - that makes sense to me. I went from career where I pretty much organised my own time to call centre work where we have zero control. Everything logged, monitored all the time. They don't even like casual conversation in slow periods. Staff feel very little loyalty. But the attitude us that if you don't like it then you know where you can go - the dole queue.

Pretty much everyone in my office either brings coffee in or does the log in-make coffee thing. I agree with what daisy and others have said about pettiness and productivity.

thanks daisy The most part of my problem is that for 4 years I have worked for another director of the company who treated me like an adult and let me get on with things. He knew I worked hard and really appreciated me. He has now retired (the git) and left me with the 2 remaining directors who he acknowledged would 'save themselves a fiver even if it cost a tenner in the long run'!. I think I am done with this company, the pettiness will drive me mad I think!

Your bosses would hate my office then - coffee is first priory in the morning, then pretty much ever hour on the hour after that, frequently accompanied by other goodies.

We even occasionally have theme days - including a recent one where all the office staff dressed up in 80s costumes, had a buffet lunch and 80's music on all day.

In a previous job we were based in a Georgian villa with a large front garden (back garden was a car park). We used to save the loyalty vouchers from one of our suppliers and ever summer had a lunch time barbecue. We used to get lots of looks from the staff at the office block nearby as they headed past to get their sandwiches from the corner shop while we were tucking into burgers and beer !

Have been a bit cheesed off with my job lately but this thread had certainly put it in perspective.

I stare at a computer screen 7.5 hrs a day. I'm sure H&s says I need to give my eyes a break every x number of hours. I make a coffee or go to the loo. I also need to get up out of my chair as again I'm sure it is really bad health wise to sit done for 7.5 hrs a day without a break.

It's meant to be 5 minutes of non-screen work every hour.

And of course we all do that. Ahem.

Totally agree re how people react to being micro managed. Just out of that situation lately, and now have a normal boss, who actually treats people like adults. People definitely do give extra when they are properly treated, and left to get on with things, and deliver the goods.
I get myself a cuppa when I go in, in the morning, but like others on the thread, it's just a matter of throw a spoon of coffee in a mug, and fill with hot water from a boiler, not a tray set out with the best silver, or anything! No coffee breaks are taken, so I don't think our employer can moan!

I'd get crucified if I took a break, made a drink, whatever, during 'work time'. Our work day is micromanaged to such am extent we can see how long we take for each task & break & woe Betide anyone who fails to correctly log their breaks etc. We're also expected to be at our desks at least 5 mins before shift, to start up computers etc & be working & taking calls etc by start of shift.

I'm not saying I like it. But the company culture is to reward people who take least breaks & complete & largest quantity of work with no mistakes.

Goodness, I go to the loo as well.

What a shirker.

It all depends on the culture of where you work I suppose! As it has been negatively commented on its obviously viewed as not acceptable within your workplace sadly

Certainly couldn't do this where I work

Yanbu. We eat breakfast and lunch at wor all while checking emails and ordering things. I don't understand why it would delay you at all. You flip the kettle, it takes 1 minute to boil, pour it in and drink while working.

Is the kettle far away? Or is it in your office and the noise annoys this person? If you are getting in earlier then your start time then I'd be a pita and make my coffee and chill out not working until said start time. If they want to be pedantic so can you.