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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get to work at 9?

96 replies

forgeti · 27/03/2023 17:32

My contracted hours are 9-5. Aibu to get to work at 9?

There are 2 unpaid breaks that we generally have to work through. IE when colleagues are off (which is daily, loads on long term absences but full caseloads attached) we are expected to work through breaks and take a short lunch to cover them.

lunch is 30 mins paid, 30 mins unpaid so manager expects you to work through the 30 minutes unpaid.

therefore aibu to get to work at 9? I’m being told that I’m not a team player by not getting in any earlier.

OP posts:
Wherewithout · 27/03/2023 17:33

You should be at your desk ready to start work at 9, not just walking through the door.

starmoonearth · 27/03/2023 17:34

Depending on your job, if you're set up and ready to go at 9 I don't see an issue. I start at 9 but tend to get there between 8:30 and 8:40 but that is to make my breakfast and a coffee

Twizbe · 27/03/2023 17:34

Agree. You should be at your desk and ready to go at 9.

youshouldnthaveasked · 27/03/2023 17:34

I don’t understand why you’re working hours not paid for.

TomatoSandwiches · 27/03/2023 17:34

YANBU, they can either expect you in earlier or work through breaks but not both.

Overthebow · 27/03/2023 17:34

Yes ready to start, logged in at 9. Getting a 30 minute paid lunch break is pretty good, I’m not surprised you are expected to keep lunch to 30 minutes sometimes.

Amadeaa · 27/03/2023 17:35

Ready to start work at 9 - ok. Walking through the door at 9 - I wouldn’t be impressed if I was your boss.

Snorlaxing · 27/03/2023 17:36

You need to be ready to go at 9. If you arrive at work and can start immediately then that's fine but if you need to walk a few minutes, turn on a computer and make a cuppa then you need to arrive earlier to take that into account.

pncr · 27/03/2023 17:36

Yeah what everyone else said. Ready to work at 9 not walking through the door and taking off your coat and getting a coffee at 9.

Original poster
forgeti · 27/03/2023 17:37

To clarify, I am set up at 9am ready to go.

The expectation is to get to work for 8:30am-8:45am to clear work for others essentially. Also sometimes managers like to have impromptu meetings before 9, which can be conducted after 9. So therefore if you miss an impromptu meeting by getting in at 8:45am - you’re seen as “late”. I don’t think that’s fair if you’re contracted to start at 9?

OP posts:
Lovingmynewbicycle · 27/03/2023 17:38

You are not being unreasonable, but I doubt they'll stop harassing you, so I'd be looking for other opportunities.

Autienotnautie · 27/03/2023 17:38

I agree provided you are starting work at 9. (How long does it take people to remove a coat?) That should be fine. I wouldn't be fussed for going the extra mile give u are essentially working through all breaks.

Original poster
forgeti · 27/03/2023 17:39

As an example of the work I’m asked to do:

50% of my team was off today for various reasons. I had to cover the work of 3 other people such covering meetings, emails, working on caseloads, making decisions on their behalf etc.

I got in before 9, but my manager tried to say if I came in earlier, I could have got a head start and sorted their work out sooner.

OP posts:
Cornwallinthesun · 27/03/2023 17:40

You need a new job OP. This sounds toxic and burnouty

Frabbits · 27/03/2023 17:40

Of course you are not being unreasonable.

You work the hours you are paid for. A manager expecting you to work for free is a cheeky fucker.

Original poster
forgeti · 27/03/2023 17:40

The extra mile is definitely not on my agenda. I hate the job and constant do extra work with no recognition. Coming in earlier really won’t benefit my career.

OP posts:
Kath85 · 27/03/2023 17:41

I don’t think it’s unreasonable of your employer to expect you in a bit early so your ready at the start of your shift and expect most employers would be the same. My job is also busy and I have always worked through my breaks and dinners so I know this isn’t ideal. If it bothers you just don’t work through them and look for another role

Starlightstarbright1 · 27/03/2023 17:44

The been a team player is a red flag word to me to do unpaid work

youshouldnthaveasked · 27/03/2023 17:44

Be ready to start at 9 (like you already are) take your allocated breaks(which it doesn’t sound like you’re doing?) and look out for another job

Starlightstarbright1 · 27/03/2023 17:45

Kath85 · 27/03/2023 17:41

I don’t think it’s unreasonable of your employer to expect you in a bit early so your ready at the start of your shift and expect most employers would be the same. My job is also busy and I have always worked through my breaks and dinners so I know this isn’t ideal. If it bothers you just don’t work through them and look for another role

If they want her to start earlier then pay her earlier

Kath85 · 27/03/2023 17:47

I didn’t say she should start early just be in ready to start at 9…

Original poster
forgeti · 27/03/2023 17:48

Yes, I’m going to take every minute of my breaks going forward. I’ll make sure I leave on time too.

It will definitely slow down my productivity at work; but that doesn’t seem to the priority here. I’ll just come in early and sit around doing nothing until 9am.

OP posts:
Putdownthecake · 27/03/2023 18:22

I used to work at a high street bank. Often scheduled to start at 9 but managers would have daily meetings at 8:45. We'd also be expected to have our cash till ready to go for 9 (which involves cashing it all up). I'd get to work for 8:55 and start cashing up at 9. Usually ready to operate it 9:10am. I got told off quite a few times. I even got told off for logging off my till 10 minutes before shift end to cash it up. Think 16:50.. but cashing up often took a minimum of 10 minutes and if there was a mistake you were often stuck there working out why cash was missing. 9 times out of 10 the tills fault. The amount of times I finished 20/30 minutes post shift and never got a thank you. You should be ready to start work at 9. Obviously ours was widespread as the union sent an email saying if they want you to work before hrs then it's overtime or a flat no expected. I don't work there anymore!

Glitteratitar · 27/03/2023 18:42

It really depends on where you work and how much you get paid.

My contracted hours at 9.30 to 5.30. I am a high earner, so I often have meetings at 9am or work into the evening, because I get paid to do so and it’s the nature of my work.

I do wonder if it’s part of your office culture so the question is whether you get paid enough for it.

Zola1 · 27/03/2023 18:46

Depends on your job. My hours are technically 9 to 5 but it's usually more like 915 or 930 to whatever stupid hour I finish.