Why are some managers like this?

[PeanutPies]

been in this role for a few months- before joining I clearly communicated that that I would like to start early so I can leave early- this makes it easier for me to organise other staff around work. Today it was mentioned by my manager that one of the days when we were on site the senior lead walked by and commented that was not there around 4- this would be because I start at 8 don’t break for lunch and leave at 4- then it was mentioned that it’ll be better if I stay until 4:30 to be seen- as when I go or promotions this will be seen as a positive point!!! I was under the impression that promotions are given based on qualifications and capabilities not just warming the seats. I politely mentioned that I made the time requirement clear when joining- I am flexible when there is a meeting or deadline but don’t see the point of just hanging hoping to be spotted. Was I unreasonable ?

If this is something you’d organised before starting the job I’d totally ignore the comments. I would however send a couple of professional 8am emails to them to make a point.

I would just carry on as you agreed at your interview

Personally, management come and go so frequently that it becomes a revolving door. They all have the chat, but most of them don’t have the ability to do the job. It sounds be like you r ruffling your managers feathers - are you good at what you do?

I've had bosses in the past where it has been if you do x you will get promoted, if you do y that promotion is yours. It is all rubbish. I used to work all the hours, help at events, go about and beyond and still got made redundant.

Do your hours and if this senior lead is based in your building, be sure to be around his/her area during your working hours.

Is it legal to work 8 hours without a break?

Do you have breaks if you don't take lunch? Legally I think you have to have a 20 minute break if you work more than 6 hours - so can see they may have got themselves into a situation by allowing it

If you are working more than 6 hours you have to take a 20 minute break during your day (not at the end). They shouldn't have approved you working an 8 hour stretch without a break. I would expect them to put a stop to that sooner or later.

Why didn't your manager just explain to the Senior Lead that you had specific working hours? I don't understand, if they sanctioned this then they are comfortable with it and could have put the Senior Lead straight. If your manager is going to play fast and loose with the truth get it put in writing.

having no break is unhealthy and not in line with working time regulations.

Otherwise if your work pattern is in line with your workplace policy, YANBU.

Are you sure they explicitly agreed to 8 hours in a row with no break? That would be illegal so its pretty unlikely to be honest.

Sorry if I was not clear - I meant to say I work through lunch because I want to- that’s not my contract/ the contract is 37 hours per week with lunch break. But when I’m at work I start at 8 and finish at 4- I suppose my question is wider- why are adults being treated like children?

Unless they were red flags elsewhere with them... i'd assume your manager is trying to be helpful.

Your manager cant control how the big boss is. Big boss may have strong feelings about presentee-ism (spelling???)

From what I’ve heard this individual has been in the company for a long time- workaholic and not a big fan of people taking a/l
etc -

Your manager appears to be fairly poor.

Firstly for not addressing it with the senior leader if that person did indeed comment on it.

A very simple "light on numbers in the office just now, but our flexibly working policy is one of the best things we've introduced. Moral is at highest levels yet & output is up 6%".

He's an even bigger fool for mentioning it to you. You should have asked him to remember your agreed working hours.

Hi OP
I am unsure if your time requests were formally approved and agreed on.
Do they meet service need and working through lunch has potential for problems ( I talk from experience).
I'm sure that employment law states that you need a break of at least 20 minutes every 6 hours.
Our work rotas were devised on that basis.
Ime, most people would rather start work early and finish early but it needs to be fair to other colleagues and meet service needs

You work from 8am to 4pm without a break?

That's illegal.

Not your decision to dictate the working regulations of the UK, unless your outwith?

A few points:

• are you working through 8am-4pm with no lunch break? I’m not sure your approach is sound either. My workplace would enforce a break as opposed to having you work through it and leaving early. Isn’t there a limit on how many hours you legally can work without a break?
• have your actual contracted hours changed or is this working pattern totally discretionary?
• In some workplaces being visible can lead to promotion and make you seem like more of a team player. You might not feel that is fair, but it’s a relatively common occurrence

Is it in your contract?

In my experience, stuff that is agreed verbally or as non specific "flexible working" is not worth the paper it is written on. Employers will say what you want to hear to get you to take the job - you are seeing the real culture of the company now.

You will probably find they don't value you because of your working hours and will end up leaving as a result. Ive been there.

I would point out again to your manager what hours were agreed before you started. People love to make a song and dance about this kind of thing but it’s corporate shite to get people to work extra hours for free. There is plenty of time for you to be ‘seen’ during your hours of 8-4. Unless you’re paid for overtime, do not work more than your contracted hours. If they want to promote people that ‘go the extra mile’, let them and move on. Anyone asking you to work additional hours (for free) doesn’t value you or your personal time.

so basically your work pattern isn’t in line with the policy / regulations, so the senior manager is right, if it followed policy you’d leave at 4.30

It doesn't matter if you consider it your choice, same as you couldn't choose to accept a salary below minimum wage.

Any workplace on top of its legal obligations would put a stop to this arrangement and enforce you taking a break.

Agree with what others have said. Reading your initial agreement, you agreed the early start. That isn’t agreeing that you can work through lunch break. You need to stay until 4:30.

Don’t understand why I need to stay until 4.30 to meet my contract hours - 8-4 is 8 hours minus 30 min lunch 7.30 - 7.30 hours into 5 - 36.5 hours - that’s the contracted hours

Sorry i made a mistake when I said the wrong the contracted hours were 37

If she is working from 0800hrs to 1600hrs that is 40 hours a week.

if she is contracted to do 37hours with lunch break she is working more than five hours a week already.

im paid from start to finish, some companies do it do u don’t/cant make plans outside of work during work hours.

Ok but you still need to take a break.

I'm slightly confused why you're objecting to presenteeism when you're saying that you work above your hours for no apparent reason? If you took a proper break maybe you would be able to work more efficiently and wouldn't need to routinely work extra hours.