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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask to leave work an hour early each day and do my work on the train

41 replies

Suriya28 · 14/06/2017 18:07

So I love my job and don't want to leave. I've been there for 6 months now.

I need to move nearer family.

They live an hour and a half train journey away but it is a direct train and I always book a table and do work at the train table.

I don't want to be cheeky but it would massively improve my quality of life if I could leave an hour early each day.

I do three hours of train travel a day in total and I'm not asking for them to count. But as I spend an hour of productive report writing a day on the train I don't think it's unreasonable to have that count.

Our council have an agile working policy so you have a work laptop and can login using a key. You can work anywhere with the laptop.

I know some people who work from home some days.

I'm an adults social worker.

OP posts:
Original poster
Suriya28 · 14/06/2017 18:08

I've been doing this commit for two months. I've not officially moved away yet but I'm staying with my cousin in an area slightly nearer my work than my parents.

OP posts:
BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 14/06/2017 18:09

Could there be any problem with client confidentiality if you are working on reports and person sitting next to you on train could see your screen?

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 14/06/2017 18:10

I'm not sure I'd like this as your employee. Suppose you don't get a seat and can't work or find it too distracting.

And as a social worker, isn't confidentiality compromised if you are working with the general public looking over your shoulder.

Rosehyd2 · 14/06/2017 18:11

I used to commute over 3 hours a day but we moved so it was just over an hour each way and for a better quality of life.

I don't leave work early but I did ask my work if I can shift my working hours to start an hour earlier so I got home at a decent time. It's made a huge difference to my work life balance. I have my evenings back, it's not just work -sleep- work like it used to feel.

Any chance you could ask for the same thing?

I also work on the train but it's just a given thing, I do it to get on top of the things before everyone else goes in the office.

Do you have/need a decent working internet connection for your whole journey? They may not be happy to class it working hours if you don't. (I didn't on my previous 3 hour commute so couldn't ask for it).

NeedMoreSleepOrSugar · 14/06/2017 18:11

Do you have an hours worth of work each day that's suitable to be done on the train? Ie suitable to be done on a laptop in a public place (so nothing confidential etc)?

Can you be sure to either get a table on the train, or if not, to have time to do the work later at home? If yes, id ask fir it to be considered. I do done home working and it's a great help to work life balance.

Rosehyd2 · 14/06/2017 18:12

To the two posters above me, you can get blackout screen covers so only you can see your screen and people sat next to you cant. A lot of people on my train use them.

AHedgehogCanNeverBeBuggered · 14/06/2017 18:13

I work on confidential stuff sometimes and would absolutely not be allowed to do this work on the train. If you're writing anything you wouldn't be happy leaving out for other people to see then you really can't do this.

Is there the option to reduce your hours? Or work an hour from home in the evenings?

Asmoto · 14/06/2017 18:13

Could you not just submit an agile working request stating you want to work from home for 1 hour per day? It would then (subject to maintenance of confidentiality as pps have said) be up to you whether you completed this at home or on the train.

Dishwashersaurous · 14/06/2017 18:14

I actually had someone work for me who counted four hours a week on the train. Didn't always mean that she left early though.

The other thing to consider, if they are willing to consider time on train is compressed hours. So five days over four, so you work normal hours plus train

PookieDo · 14/06/2017 18:14

I am allowed to work from home due to commuting, it is not unreasonable to ask. Im NHS. I have a phone and laptop and don't need to be in the office to be able to work. You can buy screen deflectors.

Thinkingabouthowlifechanges · 14/06/2017 18:14

I don't think it's unreasonable if you can work properly on the train (would not be possible on my packed, noisy trains).

But your company might say no for fear of setting a precedent - they have to draw a line somewhere : what happens if one of your colleagues decides they want to work from the beach / beer garden? !

Also what's your bargaining power? How much do they want to keep you? Would you be easy to replace if you left?

nostringstoholdmedown · 14/06/2017 18:15

I don't mean this to be rude at all but why the hell are you asking a bunch of strangers about this?

You need to speak with your manager.

MargeryB · 14/06/2017 18:18

Would be a No from me. I would informally sound out your manager.

caffeinestream · 14/06/2017 18:20

Can you start earlier and finish earlier instead?

Original poster
Suriya28 · 14/06/2017 18:22

The laptop screen is a confidential blackout one.

we are allowed work in a public place using such a laptop. Not any other though.

It's also secured in case it's stolen. All your information is on your 'key' not the laptop.

I know someone who leaves early and works from home. It doesn't seem that different to me.

I don't want to ask and be shot down though!

OP posts:
skyzumarubble · 14/06/2017 18:22

I would suggest you started earlier and finished earlier.

ilovesooty · 14/06/2017 18:22

The last time I booked a table seat I only got a back of the seat pull down table. No way could I have worked on that.
I'm afraid I don't think I'd say yes if I were your manager.

Original poster
Suriya28 · 14/06/2017 18:22

I don't mind my working hours to be honest.

I have family support and enjoy the train ride. Once I can drive the commute will be 50 mins so not too bad.

So I don't want to change things too much.

OP posts:
Original poster
Suriya28 · 14/06/2017 18:23

It's a half empty train. It's a proper table.

I'm sure she will say yes but I don't know if it's cheeky to ask.

OP posts:
Mulch · 14/06/2017 18:23

God loves a trier

BikeRunSki · 14/06/2017 18:25

Would you need wifi to work on the train with the key ? Would it be reliable enough/affordable? Can you be certain always to get a table?

ForalltheSaints · 14/06/2017 18:25

You have not explained why you need to be nearer to your family and do not need to tell us. However, this may be something you can use as part of your request to your employer.

Holdingonbarely · 14/06/2017 18:27

I really don't see the big deal. Doing an hours work on the train is fine imo
This whole chained to the desk thing is ridiculous
If you have work and it needs doing you do it.
The amount of people I see fucking around in the office chit chatting/taking an hours lunch etc.
I would much rather compact all that wasted time and use it productively
I would let you

converseandjeans · 14/06/2017 18:27

nostrings I think OP wanted to gauge opinion before asking manager?
I think it would look better if you asked to WFH for a full morning/afternoon or a full day.
Could you also suggest a shorter lunch to compensate? So maybe take half hr lunches all week in exchange for an afternoon?
I'm in teaching so no chance to WFH!

Calyrical · 14/06/2017 18:28

I mark exams and we can't mark in public places, even with blackout screens.