To swan off to the hairdressers during the working day?

[PersonaNonGarter]

Interested to know people’s thoughts on this.

I am employed on a 35hr 9am-5pm 5days a week contract. In reality, no-one in my industry works that - the hours are often long, go into weekends, start early and finish late. The wages generally reflect that.

I am having a very quiet period at work while key clients are on holiday. I booked a hairdressing appointment 9-11am (marked ‘personal appointment’ in my diary) checked with boss that a personal appointment was ok (it was). Appointment went to 11.30am.

Just received a bit of a pass-ag message from my boss suggesting I should book this as a half day’s holiday because ‘11.30 is closer to lunch’. I am not sure that the extra 30mins is really relevant. I don’t want to use holiday.

AIBU?

It's a bit cheeky to do this.

I used to log off slightly early to go to e.g. hairdresser but always made up the time (reduced lunchbreak) and specifically ask for a later appointment on these days. e.g. after my working day has finished. If they can't do this then I work through lunchbreak but generally hairdresser accommodates me.

‘DP often pops to the barber in quiet moments but it’s a half-hour job.’

Yep - and this is another thing that makes me annoyed. I have to get my hair done for work. That is, I need to look presentable. No one makes me but it is important. And it takes longer as a woman so I am making time for it - which will not affect my work output.

Blossomtoes - The OP said that her wages reflect the extra hours they work.

I'm required to log working hours on a monthly basis; anything worked over contracted hours can be taken back at a convenient time, anything under contract is worked back in the following month.

I would suggest you note the hours worked and when you need to take time off in lieu present that to your manager showing where these additional hours were accrued. They can't expect flexibility to work just one way

I think I'd agree with that. If it had been a medical or dental appointment I'd have seen it differently.

Your boss is being ridiculous, if you frequently have to flex your time and work extra hours.

Just politely explain to him that the flexibility needs to work both ways, and if he has a problem with your productivity he needs to clarify that.

I suppose it would depend on the work culture.

No one where I work would bat an eyelid at someone going to get their hair cut, but there is no way I could have gotten away with it at my previous job.

I Always go during work - have my laptop with me though my manager is cool with it though :)

If I had to use work time I would make an effort to split such a long appointment up.

e.g. Colour across a lunch break and then finish a little early on another day to go back for the cut!

If the two hours was “approved” verbally/informally, I’d book leave for the half hour extra taken.

YANBU, I often go shopping and for haircuts etc during the week day.

No one cares, it’s all about output not bum on seat.

I do this all the time.
we bill our time though so it really doesn’t matter when I work as long as I bill enough time in the pay period.

Boss is generally pretty tolerant on this so I might book leave just to appease him.

However, I am quite surprised at the responses here basically implying that work is about be ‘at work’ rather than ‘doing work’. Surely it is about productivity?

Can't you just book a later/late night appointment OP?

Surely work hours are work hours and that's why he said something to you.

I think this sort of thing is why some organisations are insisting that people return to the office who could feasibly work from home.

I sort of understand where you are coming from my employer is the same although we don’t have 9-5 built into our contract and do not have any core hours. We just work whatever we need to get the job done subject to a minimum of 35 hours a week.

That said if I book a personal appointment during the working day then I try to make sure it is over lunch time when colleagues wouldn’t necessarily expect to be able to contact me. I also wouldn’t want to book an appointment longer than an hour either.

Mumsnet loves presenteeism.

I'm happy to work in a 'if the work is done, do what you like' workplace.

Boss is unreasonable.

I'm getting my nails done in a bit while toddles is an nursery. I have a rare quiet day, I work more than my paid hours, I'm an adult and can manage my time, diary and workload.

Can you pass-ag back?
“of course I will book leave if you think it’s appropriate; I had hoped that flexibility over working hours worked in both directions...”
Not if it’ll get you sacked though!

Exactly! Op is just taking advantage here. It doesn't matter that you don't have work to do, you are still employed during that time. Too many piss takers.

Do you get paid for the extra hours OP? If you don't do you not have a TOIL system?

Do you actually? Do you work on a make-up counter or as an air steward or some other role where appearance is dictated in contract? Because if as you say no one is making you, I don’t think you can argue it can come out of work time.

FWIW I’m senior at work and cut my own hair with nail scissors, when I can be arsed. Has had zero effect on my career. Pissing off my boss by taking 2.5 hours out of work time for my hair would definitely have a detrimental effect on my career.

Well, if they're also only paying you for 9-5 and 35hrs, then that's all they should get. How are you supposed to organise an appointment for, say, 5.15 (in your own time) if you're still working?

Piss-taking by your employer too.

Yeah it's taking the piss a bit isn't it

Medical appointments/ dentist etc - those that can't be done on a Weekend fair enough but getting your hair done 🤔

I think this is absolutely fine, given you spend busy periods working late and I assume don't get TOIL. I work in an industry where we have busy periods dependent on projects and I always say to my team that they need to be taking their personal time back when they can - for a hair appointment I would have no issue with this whatsoever as long as the work was done and you were available for emergencies.

Next time just take your laptop so you're showing as available on teams/slack