To leave my job on time?

[whitecliffsofclover]

Not sure that this is the right place but want the traffic, also I've been up since 5am so please bare with me.

Around 8 months ago I started a new job, I finish on the hour each day and catch the train (as I don't drive) at 7 past the hour. The walk to the train station is around 4 minutes so I always manage to catch the train.

However since the virus, our workplace has introduced new measures including taking shoes off as we enter the building and washing our hands before we touch the phone to clock in/out. As a result it's taking me longer to leave.

AIBU to start getting ready to leave a few minutes earlier so I'm out of the door on the hour? The last few times I've been in, I've missed my train and had to wait another hour for the next.

As to not drip feed I work in care (hence still being in work), and a client's relative has a problem with this.

Thanks in advance.

Can you start a few minutes earlier to compensate?

I did this when I had a bus to catch, left 5 minutes early but did start work 10 minutes earlier to compensate, and stop all the comments about finishing early by the people who drove to work

I did agree it with management though and explained otherwise I would be waiting for an hour for the next bus.

@MontysOarlock @therona

Thanks for your replies, I'm usually around 15 minutes early to work and never less than 10 minutes early. I start straight away.

I've suggested that because I'm always early I should be able to leave on time but the man (the relative) is adamant that I should be working up until the hour, not leaving on the hour. He will not be flexible about this as he's difficult to work for, which makes me worried about going to work.

I can't see another solution other than not working with this client, which would be a shame but they have a high turnover of carers due to the relative.

Change your start and end times to. 55 past the hour

Ooh weird because I assume you are employed by them to do X number of hours which you are doing. He is being a dick.

I didn't say this in my post above but basically my supervisor said no to my original request to leave to catch the bus at the end of the car park, so it wasn't like I was lying and then could see me and the bus from the office windows.

So when I came in early, I made sure I was seen by my supervisor, deliberately went and got a drink and sat in the break room reading a newspaper until 2 minutes to my official job start time. Then I went to my desk, turned the computer on etc and was ready to work at 9.

The manager then saw me sitting reading the newspaper and asked if anything was wrong, I was just factual and said that I only asked to leave early for the bus and I was giving more of my own time, and this works two ways. He over-ruled my supervisor and I went back to my original starting time. When I say 10 minutes, I mean that I was contracted for X number of hours and still did at least 10 minutes extra a day which is almost an hour a week (shitty call centre job).

You could make a point by entering the house, washing your hands etc and then standing there waiting for your official start time. You can just be factual about it. Saying oh I thought we were strictly sticking to times.

Tell them you are doing your hours and take it or leave it. Can you speak to any of the client's relatives and point out that his arsey behaviour is causing the high turnover? If you are contracted to do X number of hours your argument is much better than if you are contricted to start at x time and finish at y time.

but if you have no problems finding other work - go for the take it or leave it option. Everyone has to be a little bit flexible not just workers.

Only your employer can answer this .

I had a similar situation years ago where the 8am bus got me in for 8:55 but was often just after 9 (like literally 2-3 mins). I always made up the time by staying after 5:30 - I couldn’t get the bus before 6 anyway.

My boss wasn’t happy with that, so I had to get the bus in that got me there for 7:55 and still couldn’t get the bus before 6. He wasn’t prepared to compromise.

So I didn’t work a second over my allotted hours and left the job as quickly as I could. I was only on minimum wage so it was a case of either paying £15 for a weekly bus pass or £250 for the train.

Surely if they are requiring certain procedures such as taking shies off the doesnt that count as part of work time? A quick hand wash is probably part of you usual hygiene routine in care but anything additional requirement instructed by them is surely part of the job?

I do hope you are not working without some form of shoes on anyway op. That would definitely be against health and safety!!

Explain one more time. If they're going to be difficult about this and you can get another client easily, leave. It doesn't sound like they're very nice otherwose either. I'm sure you can get plenty of other work at this time.

Thanks for your replies.

@MontysOarlock I'm contracted to work certain hours, starting at 12 and finishing 4 for example, rather than a set amount of hours. This obviously makes it more difficult.

@TerrorWig I'm aware that only my employer will be able to tell me whether this is allowed however they always seem to favour the relative's point of view iyswim. I know they will say that what the relative wants goes. They aren't a bad company but will do anything to keep this particular clients family happy.

I'll obviously speak to them first however I don't want to seem like I'm being awkward or difficult as I've not been with them for too long.

Also it's not just about washing my hands, I've always practised good hand washing working in care. But also having to go to the garden to get my possessions etc as these can no longer be kept in a storage room.

If leaving on the hour I'll have to say I cannot work there anymore, which my employer should be fine about. This however would be a shame for the client.

@LittleOwl153
We have work shoes to wear! I wouldn't be working without shoes. At risk of going off on a tangent though, the work shoes are communal and we aren't allowed to bring our own to wear. This is a bit grim right? This does mean some people do not wear footwear as they don't want to be sharing shoes. This might be a breach of health and safety, if never thought of that.

whitecliffs NO WAY should you be sharing SHOES!!!!
You need to speak to your employer about this at least.
I'd be packing that client in - and explain to your employer how unreasonable the relative is being.

Oh, and you should not be expected to leave your possessions in the garden either!

Find another job as soon as possible and leave.

If you're arriving early, starting early aka working for free, and he hasn't got the good grace to let you leave 5 minutes earlier to avoid waiting 1hr for the bus, nope don't do it.

the work shoes are communal

and

having to go to the garden to get my possessions etc as these can no longer be kept in a storage room.

No, no, no! Is your agency aware of how this clients relative is behaving?

This is how vulnerable adults in care become abused. Over-zealous relatives that disrespect the support workers, then it only takes one support worker who will take it out on the client.

Please report all of this to your employer before you leave.

Take care

It’s not your fault that we have coronavirus and you are having to waste time washing and changing.

It’s not your clients fault that there is only one train.

But....he should consider himself lucky that you are still willing and able to get to him.

He can not stop you from leaving work on time, so if your finish time is 4.00 then you should be walking out the door at 4.01 especially as you have a train to catch.

If he thinks he can get someone else to come and work an extra couple of minutes for free every day, then he should employ them and let you stay home in safety!

Whilst you are washing and changing at his house to protect him, you are working. Now it’s for the client and his relative to decide if they want you to leave on time or just leave altogether. I’d not put up with that sort of passive aggressive “you must work” attitude. We are no longer living in Victorian times when the ‘help’ were treated like a lesser human being.

@pussycatinboots yes thinking about it now it doesn't sound right having to share shoes, a lot of people wouldn't be happy to do that. Now imagining all sorts of verrucas and athletes foot.

@NurseButtercup It's actually a great company who really care about their staff in all other aspects. It's just that this one family are a rule unto themselves and just cannot be reasoned with, hence everyone refusing to go back there.

I don't particularly want to leave as the client is lovely, but I wish they'd put their foot down with the relative.

Are you working in a care home or a private home? Either way, people should be wearing shoes- and certainly not communal ones! Why can't you bring your own pair, label them and they are your indoor only shoes JUST for your use? I'd like to read their policy on the communal shoes! It opens the doors to fungal issues, verucas and other issues!

Generally in care its stipulated in your H&S policy that shoes should be leather or at least closed in with a sturdy sole. There is a risk of needle stick (more so for nurses), hot food being dropped on your feet or a client standing on them!

As for the leave time, can you speak to a different supervisor and get it in writing that you are now working x hrs till x hrs?

@Elouera This is in a client's house. We've asked if we could provide our own footwear as we don't want to share (there's a team of around 8 working one or two at a time), but have been told no as everyone will want to do that. There's plenty of storage space, even if it meant getting rid of the communal shoes. So we've been told we can't keep them there, but also cannot just bring them daily as they do not want germs being trodden in if they've been worn elsewhere.

I think it's more the fact that they like to feel in control about things, so will make up petty rules.

The relative is nothing to do with your employment.
Take it up with your employer and let them spell it out to their client.

Your company is bending far to far backwards to keep the client. This is not acceptable.

You shouldn't be sharing shoes with anyone, do you all even have the same size? that's pretty disgusting. And there is no way you should be leaving anything in the garden - nope, nope, nope.

They can't just make up petty rules - isn't there a detailed contract outlining the terms and conditions with your company? TBH I'd just say "fuck off to the other side of fuck with your control freakery" and go elsewhere.

You're too kind and the client's family are banking on that.

I'd speak to the other workers there, surely they aren't keen on the shoe sharing thing! If you all stop putting up with it, and say its unacceptable, they'll need to find another way. Why can't you have your own shoes, they are only used at their home, and are kept in individual shoe boxes in their garden shed? not ideal to have things stored there, but better than sharing shoes!

Are you employed via an agency? What is in your contract? Have you informed the agency? I assume the 'relative' is getting involved as either lives with your client or might be a carer? Have you checked the ACAS website. Strangely enough, shoe sharing was not an obvious topic, but you might find some answers on there about leaving on time etc.

Being a carer and in this current climate, are you easily replaceable? If the answer to that question is no, can you not tell your employer this is what you need to happen to continue working with this family? Including the shoe sharing... They have round the clock care by the sound of it. a couple of minutes makes bugger all difference especially as you arrive early.

As suspected I've gone off on a tangent and now seem to be ranting a bit. I guess the leaving on time is just the tip of the iceberg.

I will speak to my agency, I suppose I'm just scared of "rocking the boat" per se as due to the virus a lot of clients have put having us in on hold, and family members have stepped in instead. I don't want to lose work at the moment obviously so will wait until everything's calmed down. I think this may be the final straw.

Thank you all for your replies, you've reassured me that I am being rational about this.