To not want this first thing?

[itsrainin]

I work in an office with lax boundaries and it isn’t very professional so idk if I’m focusing on the wrong thing after a culmination of odd behaviour.

I get to work at 8:40am - I am contracted to start at 9am. I usually have my AirPods in listening to music as I enter the building. Without fail someone will approach me as soon as I set foot in the office door, before I’ve even put my bag down, to inform me of an urgent task they need help with there and then. Or to help a set of visitors access another area of the building with my staff pass (including setting their sign in sheet up/visitor passes which isn’t my job). Just generally not giving me a moment to sit down, log in and settle before randomly piling on work.

I feel like with those 20 minutes I’m not being paid for, I should be able to listen to something in peace eg catch up on pre-recorded meetings I’ve missed due to diary conflicts such as career development sessions.

There’s also a lady who bakes things at home and hands them out to everyone first thing. I’m on a diet and feel bad turning her down. She’s usually very insistent and puts something on my desk anyway for “later”. I’d rather not be disturbed and approached over this, would rather she left her treats in the canteen.

Aibu?

"I'm not on the clock yet so don't talk to me....come back at 9"
"Thanks Mary. Looks lovely but I can't eat that - dietary reasons"
That's all you need to do surely?

Situation 1, "I'll do it when my shift starts"
Situation 2 "no I'm fine thanks"

Can you not just arrive a bit later? Get there just in time to get to your desk for 9am ready to work.

Quiet time, no YANBU, but I don’t think anyone is going to protect this for you- I think you need to learn politely, with a slight tone,to say, “apologies, I’m not actually working at the moment, I’m on unpaid time doing some admin” or “do you mind if we catch up about this after 9, as you can see I’ve not logged on/ put my bag down/ I’m not technically working.” If you discuss things with them and/ or do stuff they will think you don’t mind.

On the treats I think I’d just smile nicely and put them in a communal bin once she’s gone? Or can you drop her a polite email saying you’re worried about diabetes sand would really appreciate her leaving you out? Or can she make something nice and healthy!

If the weather is nice sit on a nearby bench and listen to your headphones until just before your start time.

You just need to reinforce your boundaries.

That’s all on you I’m afraid.

Be polite but clear.

I’ve just arrived, but give me 20 minutes and I’ll be happy to help.

Not for me thank you, but if you leave the treats in the staff room I’m sure they’ll be snapped up.

1. I've actually come in early to do something else. I'll do that at 9am once I've had a coffee and logged on.

2. Ah, I actually can't eat that, if you leave it there it will end up in the bin im afraid, take it for someone who can enjoy it, thanks!

So much going on here but all of it really boils down to - come on, you're an adult.

1. Hiya, I've literally just walked through the door, come back in 10 minutes and I'll sort you out

2. I really don't want a cake, thank you.

'I am not actually here yet'... big smile...keep walking...
'Kind of you..but no thanks'... slide goodie across desk to her... and repeat...

How senior are you? If middle management or above then I don't think you can really moan about this as it's part of what you're increased salary covers. If you're more junior then it's fair enough to say "I'll be with you at 9, just getting set up". As for cake woman, return it to her desk as you don't eat cake. Every time.

What I say to my kids when they issue a list of requests and thoughts and “come and see this” before I’ve even got in the door and taken my coat off - “I’ve literally just stepped in the door, go away and give me ten minutes and then I’ll be happy to do xxxx”. When that doesn’t work I just say “I’ve still got my coat on” with a suitably incredulous expression.

Expecting to be left in peace for twenty minutes until 9 isn’t hugely realistic unless you’re prepared to be a lot more assertive, but expecting to be allowed to take your coat off and put your bag down etc before people start at you is entirely fair enough. It’s just rude to launch demands at someone the moment they step over the threshold.

Turn up later? My team (mostly!) know to leave me in peace because I’m setting myself up for the day by arriving early.

In this situation I'd be walking through the door at 8.59am and not a moment before.

You need to practise your resting bitch face combined with a palm out hand gesture as you sweep in. Then at 9.00 on the dot transform into your normal self,(apart from to the feeder)

So all these people who ask toy things have started work earlier than you? In that case jsut respond, 'I'm not on till 9, I can help after that'.

I

Do you drive in? Just sit in the car later.

Or say "I'll check my emails and if I've got nothing urgent myself I'll come over at half 9 if that's suits?"

Ha, I worked with a fashion man who did this. He’d have lunch al desko which to all intents and purposes looked exactly like he was working – and there were plenty of lunch spaces in the building – and if you got within 10 yards he’d flip up his palm, then flip it into a pointing gesture at his headphones, then hiss, “Lunching? My time? No?” and swivel his head back to his screen. V effective.