Leaving work on time

[Pickledonion24]

I work as I receptionist we close the building at 5 but at 4.45 the door shuts and no one can come in. I’m paid untill 5.15 so I have time to clear up and pack away.The coffe sop shuts at the same time but they don’t clear up and go untill atleast 5.30. Some other receptionist stay till 5.30 one does extra work but she gets paid more till stay and do extra and the other is a lot older so takes her time doing the lights and packing up. My family own the buisness if it makes any difference. Today the tea shop owner again has left early and asked me to lock up behind them meaning I have to stay later. I mentioned when asked that I had to leave on the dot a little early at 5 but could stretch to 10 past as was getting a lift home. I normally walk home but due to surgery I have been getting a lift. I went in just now to the tea shop and told them I had to leave early. Both the boys said we would leave when where done. I joked about having to lock them in but being only 18 they joked between them in a kind of what you going to do way. Am going to brining up to my mum when she’s back of holiday but it’s not the first time it’s happened.

Can you leave the keys with staff at the tea shop and tell them to lock up.

In this instance it sounds as though you needed to be more assertive with the tea shop owner - stating you would be leaving at 5pm, so she needed to instruct her staff accordingly before she left.

Given the time now, I'd go into the tea shop again at 4.50pm, remind the staff what time you are locking up 'and no later, I have places to be', then return and stand over them from 5pm, encouraging them towards the door as necessary.

They've had their prior warning. If they don't get everything tidied up, that's between them and whoever works there in the morning.

I can’t leave keys people are trained in locking up and alarming and only certain people have keys. I should have been more assertive when I replied that I wanted them ready by five she said but we don’t close till then. I’ve changed the time and a few details so it’s not identifiable. They just had someone sit down for tea and cake

Generally and for the future, all your 'mentioning' and 'joking' sounds far too timid and too much like you're asking their permission, leaving them the with power to decline or ignore your request.

Well, if the cafe closes at 5pm, customers are out the door by that time. You can lock up regardless of tidying up not having been done.

If the owner meant 'we don't close the door until 5pm and there are essential tasks that must be undertaken before the cafe can possibly be closed' then, given your leaving time, it was not possible for her to leave early. She was cheeky to do it and you let her take advantage of you.

Bit like this at my place. We close at 5, I'm rota'd to 5, and everyone else effs off at half 4. Not much wiggle room to close up, clean down, and leave in that zero-second window.

Purposeful look and jangling keys OP!

Still hear waiting said they will be another ten mins meaning I’m 40 mins of waiting

Tomorrow tell her that you will not be able to stay on and lock up again, ever.

I’m leaving in a week so won’t be an issue but I will mention it to her