Aibu to thinking working on train shouldn’t count towards your contracted hours

[Daffodildainty]

I’ve noticed a couple of management colleagues recently working consistently short days then crediting 2-3 hours a day as working on train. Aibu to think this is bolocks, that you can’t concentrate properly or review papers during your commute and shouldn’t be working on highly confidential material in a public environment anyway?

Are you directly responsible for their work?

YABU, privacy screen should prevent prying eyes being nosey. I get lots done on the train when I have to commute down to London.

YABU
As long as the work gets done to a good standard, it’s irrelevant where it happens.

The sooner companies accept that, the sooner our air will be cleaner and our roads clearer.

Can’t see the problem, It’s a case by case basis and f they’re working fair enough

YABU. If you're a good manager you may be working in the bath on occasion.

Yabu!! I’m sure as senior managers they probably work well above contracted hours regardless. Are you feeling a wee bit jealous?

What matters isn't how long you are in the office, or where you do your work, but whether you get your work done and whether your clients are happy.

This, exactly.

OP, YABU.

As long as the managers are producing the results they're tasked with, it's attitudes like yours that mean life is a nightmare for most commuters, we have people being ineffective but putting in all the hours they can at work, and it's why those with caring responsibilities struggle to be seen as valuable employees vs their single/care-free colleagues who faff around at work with long, wasted hours.

YABU - as long as it's not breaching confidentiality or something.

Rubbish

I get far MORE done on a train without constant interruptions from colleagues.

Yabu

SQUIRREL!

I don't get this, and I'd like to get it, for future reference.

My 2 pence, do they extend the same privilege to their underlings? Or is one rule for them and another rule for us?

If they are really and genuinely working, and it is not a regular thing, then fair enough. I agree though that some people are not doing so, or trying to avoid being in the office for some reason that should be tackled.

Agree about confidentiality. A few years ago I knew about Brookside being cancelled before it became public because of the person next to me who worked for the tv company reading papers on a train.

YABU and odd.

Work is a thing people do, not a location.

Of course YABU. All my travel beyond travel from my home to base counts as work hours. I never do any actual work on the train but it still counts. Just like if I drive 3 hours to another office that would count as work.

If they are actually working and doing a good job I don't see what the problem is.

Do you have the same option?

I can't abide presenteeism or office monitors like you. SO glad I don't work for a company like this anymore, fucking hell. YABVU. Of course you can work on a train or commuting.

If the confidential information includes any personal data, then they probably can't do it on the train. That's under the new GDPR rules. There would be issues with them carrying a laptop, phone, tablet, etc with personal data. From my understanding, it has to be kept secured in a bag (ideally locked) while traveling, be encrypted (in case it's lost/stolen), and contain ONLY pertinent information that has been approved for such use. I'm not sure if a privacy screen is considered enough. It's worth asking whoever your GDPR compliance officer is (you have to have one). If their tasks don't contain personal data, then there's no issue with them working on the train.

Depends on the train, some long distance services at off peak times can be really quiet and empty - so not much distraction in forms of other passengers or frequent train stops.

maybe IABU and you can work on a train during your commute but it does grate when one of my management colleague consistently fails to meet ANY deadline. This places a burden on the rest of the management team - including me.

Also management would be doing less tedious ‘actual work’ than the staff they manage (I’m assuming) so a lot of their work on the train could involve responding to emails or generally catching up rather than personally creating 3000 word reports or anything intensive

Op surely that's a different issue as what does not meeting deadlines have to do with working on trains? Or do you think they are not working their hours and hence missing deadlines?

^I do however, see others that seem to consider just being on a train during work time as working, that grates a little....
^

I disagree with this. I often travel for work and suffer from travel sickness so find it difficult to do emails or other computer work on the train. However, as I’m travelling to or from work (not usual base) then I do consider that ‘work time’ - I’m not going to do that in my personal time.

Well fair enough if they’re failing to meet deadlines then.

Personally I would agree that travelling to different locations is part of your working hours, but I suppose it depends on your company/industry/contract etc.

Doesn't sound like deadline failure is fault of calling time on train 'work'.

I can read & comment on stuff quite well on the train, much better than in the office or even at home.