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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Start time at work

14 replies

Coffeewithtwosugars · 14/01/2025 08:48

i can start work between 730 - 9 . I just have to do 8 hours .

I want to start at 8 / 830 finish at 4 / 430 . I don’t have a key to the building . I have 930 - 3 as “ contact time “ so I’ll be there for that . The rest is admin .

I arrive at 830 , no one here to let me in until 9 . Am I unreasonable to put my start time as 830 and leave at 430? I am there , but I can’t start work . I’m left alone in my job and no set things to do at set times , I have freedom over it all .

I don’t know if I’m being unreasonable to do this . I don’t really have a boss as such . I haven’t done it yet but the flexibility in this area sold me on the job , the flexible start and finish times .

or do I just suck it up and do 8 hours from when I’m in the building ?

YABU - you should do 8 hours from when you’re in the building.

YANBU - you do 8 hours from when you arrive, if no one is there to let you in

OP posts:

Hayley1256 · 14/01/2025 08:49

Does your contract say you can start at 7? If so then there should be someone in the building to let you in from that time

Shoxfordian · 14/01/2025 08:49

You're not working from half 8 so the fact that you're sitting outside the building for half hour isn't relevant. Can you ask for a key?

Rickrolypoly · 14/01/2025 08:50

How can you start work at 7.30 if your place of work is closed? Or is it supposed to be open at 7.30 but someone has failed to do so?

Loopytiles · 14/01/2025 08:51

So the contract says you can start at 7.30 but in practice you can’t because of the building access. I’d email to request building access to enable you to have working hours as per the terms of your contract.

It could be that your employer says no and changes your contract to be from 9am.

WiseLurker · 14/01/2025 08:51

Is the person who is meant to be opening the building not turning up when they are supposed to?

Bjorkdidit · 14/01/2025 08:51

Surely you need to work to your new employer's rules? Some would allow you to count from your arrival time, but most wouldn't. After all, it's not productive time so you'll need to be there longer/later to do the admin tasks that you can't do while you're waiting to get into the building.

Is WFH in the morning and a slightly shorter day in the building an option? Will they give you a key so you can open up and start work straight away?

Agix · 14/01/2025 08:52

You do 8 hours from when you're in the building and actually working.

If you're permitted to start work at 8.30, but cannot get in at 8.30, that's a separate issue you need to fix before stating that you started work at 8.30 (because, you didn't, because, you couldn't).

tilypu · 14/01/2025 08:53

Is there anything you can do from your car? Can you ask for a key?

I would definitely be talking to someone about it, if you contract says you can work from 7.30, but there's no physical way for you to do that.

Catza · 14/01/2025 08:56

Unless you are doing admin in your car, you are not actually working. I have a similar setup, except I am working from home. My contact times are 9.15-3.30 and contractually, I work 9-4.30 but most days I start my admin at 8 and I finish as soon as my last appointment is done.

Offcom · 14/01/2025 08:57

If the electricity went off for half an hour and you couldn’t work no one would think it was on you to make up that time? I think the hours you put in = the time you are making yourself available to work, whether or not the employer facilitates you working or not. Within the stated office hours of course

Spirallingdownwards · 14/01/2025 08:59

Ask your employer for a key because you want to start earlier in accordance with your contract which says you can start at 7.30 of you want to.

DorianMeile · 14/01/2025 09:21

I think you need to explore how you can get into the office yourself rather than sitting outside for 30 mins everyday.

GreyBlackBay · 14/01/2025 09:26

Do you mean you are available for work from 7.30am or that you are supposed to be able to get in the building and start work from 7.30am?

If the latter then if is not your fault the building wasn't open and YANBU.

We often have broken lifts (and 35 floors!) so you can queue for 20 minutes once you enter the building, management count that as working time.

ginasevern · 14/01/2025 09:58

Surely the simplest answer is to flag this up with whoever manages the building. I know you say you haven't got a boss as such, but there must be someone in charge of keys? If your contract says you can start from 7.30am then there must be provision for you to get in, otherwise it's a nonesense. I would think sitting in your car or standing on the doorstep for half an hour would be boring and cold!

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