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?

Hi OP! I agree that for your first day you will rather want to be very early. It would be mortifying to be late, and no one will ever forget it.

However, as someone who hires and manages young graduates often, I would have no problem with a somewhat later start to accommodate your bus times, as long as you show similar flexibility on your end and don't run out the door at 5. There are some professions in which of course you must be on time on the dot every day, but most (office) jobs are more flexible than that and five minutes earlier or later don't matter. I personally don't think a rigid work environment benefits anyone, and the company I work for also supports the use of public transport / carpool. So before you despair about your commute options, try and figure out the general atmosphere at work.

Also, OP is probably not a millennial. Millennials are between 25-38 years old by now, and OP just finished uni.

turning up early your first week until you get the lay of the land

Exactly this. Once you've been there for a couple of weeks you'll get a feel for what the etiquette is around start times and flexibility, but it's best to go absolutely by the book until you learn what are the done and not done things in your workplace.

Good luck with the new job!

🤔 I’m really shocked at how many people are saying they’d get up an hour earlier.

I work in finance for a large multi nat and NO ONE would do that! I can guarantee you that in my office a simple email would be sent back saying ‘appreciate you’ve asked me to be in for 8:45 but actually my public transport won’t get me there until 8:50. Obviously this is perfect for a 9am start which is why I accepted the job’ and my company would be like ‘yeah fair enough no problem’ sometimes I do just think I work for the best company in the world though as they are SOOOO good like this!

I think your also missing the fact that you may officially start at 9 but some places culturally expect that to be 8.30

🤔 I’m really shocked at how many people are saying they’d get up an hour earlier.

Depends on where you work. I work in a hospital. Being late is not an option.

If you get the bus that arrives at 8.48, how reliable is it and how long from the bus stop, I would take the earlier bus on the first day then explore if it's ok to take the later bus, most employers are ok with slightly flexible start times if it's transport related

I'm 10 years out of university, but I don't think the op's question is unreasonable at all for someone starting their first job. Yes, I would take the earlier bus, but I think it's a good sign the OP is asking for advice rather than just assuming turning up 5 minutes late is okay. Not sure why everyone feels the need to criticise her.

OP, take the earlier bus during your first week, and explain your situation to your manager on the last day of your first week (if the manager/the company seem reasonable and flexible, and you think you've made a good impression so far). Say you understand it may not be possible, of course you'll make up any time at the end of the day if the bus is late, etc. If they say no, just make sure you still turn up with a smile on your face the next Monday.

I agree with most posters. Definitely get there at the time requested on the first day. It’s your first meeting with co-workers and you don’t want to be ‘the one’ (and there always will be one) who rolls in later than requested. It marks your card from the off as unpunctual.

Even after that I would be getting a bus earlier than the one that gets you there just 12 minutes before your start time. Bus timetables are notoriously unreliable and even if it runs exactly to time that bus only allows a very small margin for error before you are either cutting it fine or running late. I am sure there will be someone to go and sit/make coffee if you arrive a bit early and again, you don’t want your early reputation to be the one who is always running late or skidding through the door at the last minute. Once you have established yourself there I am sure there will be room for manoeuvre and negotiation but whilst you are new and unproved you need to be showing how good you are not doing the bare minimum.

Generally speaking people get into their workplace before their time of work starts. It makes seem Asia you aren't bothered if you swan in at 9am on the dot and faff taking your coat off, getting a drink etc.

I use the bus to get to work, and personally wouldn't plan those timings and journeys as its almost inevitable you'll be late some of the time.

Typo: as if, not Asia...

The world of work is changing. We’re not in the 50s any more. Thankfully the days of big boss, watching his team arrive, on the clock, niggling about a minute are long gone. The companies who remain like this are dwindling out, as archaic things tend to do.

Not in my experience! I've been working for over 30 years, and have never seen that attitude in any job I've had.

Ultimately, you're on the impress. Be early, keen and enthusiastic. Nothing puts me off a new colleague more than them walking in taking the piss. You have to earn the right to do that.

I’m surprised you got a new job with an attitude like this.

An attitude of...asking a reasonable work related question of people on the Internet as she's not sure what workplace norms are and doesn't want to bother her new manager?

OP, some workplaces are staffed by people who inexplicably hate those who have been to university and will be trying desperately to portray them as feckless millennials, as seen on this thread. I've worked there, and can confirm if you want to succeed then being 15 minutes early every day is a good idea as they will jump on any apparent deviation from their rigid expectations.

However most are run by reasonable human beings who won't expect you to stand around in the rain for an hour waiting for the office to open.

You won't know which it is you're working for until your first day so definitely get the earlier bus for the first day and then see what the workplace culture is like and how closely the buses stick to their timetables. Where I work now they would be horrified to think I was leaving the house an hour earlier just because some internet strangers didn't think arriving at work 12 minutes early was early enough.

My DP technically starts work at 9 but always has to get there 10-15 mins early to get into the building, get a cup of tea and get settled at his desk. Many jobs are like this. You may have to get the earlier bus every day I’m afraid...

Different if you have kids you have to pick up yes but these graduates didn't have that problem

Your home or personal life should not make a difference. That's discrimination. I'm surprised that, working in recruitment, you didn't know that.

If a person finishes work at 5pm there's nothing wrong with them stopping at 5pm, whether they have children or not.

If normal start time is 9, then all well and good going forward. However, agree with PPs that relying on a bus that gives you just 12 mins may be cutting it fine.
That said, many many years ago in my first proper job, I was told that the hours were 9-5.
It was a 40min or so commute, door to door, so I would arrive between 8.50-8.55. A few days in, my boss told me that they would prefer me to be in the office at 8.45. "What will I do when I arrive?"
"Oh, start working"
I asked if I would be paid, to which the answer was no.
I continued to arrive in time for 9.
Didn't stay there long.

YABU - why wouldn’t you want to make a good impression on your first day? If they ask you to turn up early every day that’s a different issue, but I really can’t see a problem with a longer journey for one day.

First day, 15 minutes early? I would aim to be there 15 minutes earlier than the start time you've been given.

@Yabbers
I don't think saying you need to show up on time, and maybe a bus that leaves 12 minutes to spare isn't a bright idea?

@Cramstonmanor

That’s rather dramatic.
My DH is a hospital Dr and the world doesn’t stop if he’s 5 minutes late. Nor does it cause severe delays. 5 minutes is nothing expecially when he regularly works an hour over his shift because he’s still got a patient on the table!

Nobody wags a finger at him for walking in a couple of minutes late (not that he does often but they’ve stuck him 2 hours commute away for no apparent reason) just like he doesn’t drop the scalpel at bang on Finnish and walk out. The NHS demand flexibility from him so ofc he expects a little flexibility back! It’s a two way street!

Personally I think good flexibility is in professions, the higher level of professional you are the more flexibility you’re given as companies struggle to retain good staff. I work with senior accountants and if my company pulled any of them up on their extremely flexible working patterns they’d be trotting straight out of the door and into the open arms of a competitor firm!

Hit post too soon, take 2:
I don't think saying you need to show up on time, and maybe a bus that leaves 12 minutes to spare isn't a bright idea is calling someone lazy and feckless. When I was younger, my dad always used to say on time is 5 minutes late, and you always leave 15 minutes spare at least. If you're starting at 08:45, you get there for 08:30 sharp, and if that means you have to get there 55 minutes early to cope with public transport tough luck, bring a book.

I don’t think the OPs question was unreasonable either. I think I’d still take the earlier bus the first day though.

Plenty of businesses are OK with some lateness and others aren’t. One of my DILs has two buses to catch to get to work and is sometimes delayed. It doesn’t matter as she regularly works extra time at other times and is a hard working and conscientious employee who doesn’t take the piss. It just depends on the job, the employers and the employee.

I think the OP is doing the right thing to arrive early on the first day She can then scope things out.

Op you have to get the earlier bus everyday. The other bus gives you no margin for delays.

You need to be at work at 08.45 daily to sort your stuff and be ready to start at 9.AM.

It is work, you are being paid for your time to do the job you were recruited for like it or not. That means arriving on time every day even if it inconveniences you.

Why on earth would you need to go to bed at 7pm each night? 6 AM is a perfectly reasonable time to get up on a, work day.

I don't know why some posters on this thread are being such patronising arseholes. If OP hasn't had a fulltime job before she's not going to know the pointless rules. She's doing the right thing and asking

This is what gets me about some industries, it's all power play. Like the pp who said employees who were only there for the paycheck wouldn't get their contract renewed. As if everyone isn't there for the paycheck. "Welcome to the world of work" is just how people feel better about the fact that it sounds entirely shite

I work in healthcare so slightly different, but I think all of DPs jobs have been flexible. At the end of the day it's entirely pointless making OP get in an hour early for the sake of being a little bit flexible, as long as the work is done it's not important really if OP turns up at 9.05 and leaves at 5.05.

I think that's the way a lot of industries are moving, and it's so much better. Employees feel more valued, employers waste less time telling off their employees.

Even working in healthcare if I'm 5 minutes late because of traffic it's fine tbh, and if someone went to my boss and explained this situation hed sort something out because he's not an arsehole.

Have you thought about hiring a car for a few days/weeks. Some places do really good deals.

The world of work is changing. We’re not in the 50s any more. Thankfully the days of big boss, watching his team arrive, on the clock, niggling about a minute are long gone. The companies who remain like this are dwindling out, as archaic things tend to do.

Not in my experience! I've been working for over 30 years, and have never seen that attitude in any job I've had.

I've been working for 35 years and I have seen that entirely reasonable attitude in many jobs in the past.

We have moved backwards over the years. I read about the draconian measures adopted in many workplaces now and I'm shocked, really shocked, that these have crept in. Your company does not own you body and soul. You are not slaves.

2 years before you can claim unfair dismissal? Disciplinary for being ill? Demands that you work late with no pay? That you go in on your day off for a couple of hours for a meeting (tough if you have to scrabble around arranging childcare!)?

It really shows how the decimation of the unions has made working life so much worse for many people and removed so many rights.