AIBU to get to not get up an hour early for the sake of 5 minutes?

[Makemeaname]

Starting a new job next week, reliant on public transport for now. My hours are 9-5, have found a reasonable route which I would have to go out at half 7 and would get there at 8.48.

Just had an email through requesting me to be there at 8.45 for my first day, for a 9am start. There will be others starting the same day. WIBU to still get the bus I was aiming for, rather than having to leave the house at half 6 and hang around like a lemon for 55 minutes?

Yep, I get it YesQueen. And being on the shop floor at 9 is fine if you're paid from 9.
Anyway, most of us need our jobs and do what we can to keep them - especially if we like them. At my office we have to put up with our manager's foul moods. I'm not knocking you. I think you're employer's got a bit of a nerve though.

your, not you're

Agreed on the turning up earlier on the first day even just for 5 mins.

However after that, the places I've contracted for have Been ok if I've turned up between 9.00 and 9.15 because the lift situation at work is just awful with everyone trying to get into one lift, then waiting for the next lot if there are more people.

chuck coat on the chair, login and getting started takes me 2 mins max. I don't really need to have the 15/20 mins of water cooler chat and morning brew. That is just time wasting to me. I get a coffee at my next 5 min break in an hour.

That's the point @YesQueen - you've become so conditioned by your employer's expectations (both past and present) that you've become used to working some time for free.

They are relying on fear (that you will lose your job) in order to get you to do this because someone else potentially would be prepared to work for free if you refused. This is exactly why unions exist - so that employers can't pit us against each other - and why we need them more than ever as good jobs become scarcer and competition for them grows.

@PenelopeFlintstone my manager is amazing, but he doesn't set the rules, it's from higher up 🤷🏽‍♀️
But I can't both get there at 9 and start work at 9, I have maybe 7 systems to log on to
I would always rather be early than late though, being even a minute late panics me
We are salary so not paid by the hour as such, and never have to stay late

"you've become so conditioned by your employer's expectations (both past and present) that you've become used to working some time for free."

You do know that not every job is like this and, with low unemployment, you can consider looking for another job.

Glad you decided to go in earlier perhaps see if you can start early all the time and finish early then you aren't reliant on a ridiculously tight schedule to get there on time in your first job.

I had a new starter and after a few weeks asked her to come to a different office (its part of the job) and she told me she would get there at 9.15 as her other option was to get there at 8.30. I wasn't impressed. I just thought 'so get in at 8.30'. I still now have the impression she's a flake based on other lackadaisical timekeeping.

But I can't both get there at 9 and start work at 9, I have maybe 7 systems to log on to
Well, then you have to start work before 9 and should be paid for that time.

@PenelopeFlintstone not that I don't agree but it's been that way in every single job I've had. From mobile phone networks to retail to NHS to private companies to car sales
Never had a flexible time job because it's always been shift work. And you don't usually find out that the systems take a while to log on until you've finished training etc etc which doesn't help!

I agree that you need to get the earlier bus for the first day but I always get to work for my start time. I always have. Start at 9, I get there at 9. I don't think that's a terrible thing at all, but realise I'm in the minority

If OP hasn't thrown herself off a bridge after reading a gazillion people saying the same thing...

Look upon this as an investment in your career. As you climb the ladder, the restrictions start falling away and you find that the trust increases (applicable jobs only, obviously).

I'm at a stage where I more or less come and go as I please. I can pop to the shops, do the laundry, dentist doctor, even a gym class if I want and I know my boss won't bat an eyelid because I do my job. Some weeks I give, some weeks my employer gives. The work gets done and delivered and everyone's happy.

Far from being some "drone" as pp seem to think, I am very satisfied with an excellent work life balance, in a good interesting job that pays well and enables me to live a decent life. Win:win as far as I can see.

I think there's room for assessing employers on their own merits. But the idea that you owe your employer unpaid worktime and slavish obedience, no matter how inconvenient it is to you, is what allows really bad employers to get away with stuff officially paying an hourly rate but insisting that employees stay over time to finish tasks or do extra tasks, for no extra pay; like forbidding staff to speak to each other, and either making them clock off to go to the toilet or simply not allowing toilet breaks.

The last thing your manager want to hear before you even start the job is about your travel issues. Part of your job is to be there on time, whatever that time is. Please do not ask for concessions on start times in your first few weeks of starting a new job. You have a responsibility to be there on time without your employer having to be involved in your arrangements.

Leave early and then with your extra time you can pop into a cafe, get a drink, and relax before you start. (As opposed to late and frazzled on your first day.)

So what did you do in the end?

Speaking as an employer of a small team of people, if hours are 9-5, then they get in 5-10 mins before, to be ready to start work at 9.
It takes a bit of time to get through the building, have a wee, hang up coats etc, and settle at their desks..
We are generous with time, for things like nipping out for a dental appointment, the odd late bus etc, its swings and roundabout, so be fair with your time keeping and they will be fair with you.
This is obviously an office situation, possibly different if you have to “clock” on in a factory setting.

You can really see the different types of employees here. And I can tell you now that the ones that put their foot down over arriving when they’ve been asked to arrive on their first day are not the employees that go far in a company. Might not matter for shop work etc. But it’s indicative of a certain type of attitude.

I managed to beg a lift for Monday, got in at half past and then we didn't start till gone 9 but at least I wasn't late. Bus was fine getting in before 9 every other day, And now I've started properly hours are fairly flexible - just need to start between 8 and 10 and do my full days hours and work so that'll be fine going forward.

The thing is, my job is 9-5 but I am expected to be ready to actually start work at 9 am.

Therefore I’m always in by 8.45/8.50.

If you get there at 9, how long does it take you to actually get going and start work?