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 ?

You have to take a break. Its the law.

You may have agreed an early start and finish.

I doubt they agreed to you not having a break.

You’d have to take a break in my team if working a full day like that. I don’t think it’s really for employees to be dictating their hours. Sounds like the company would prefer you to work until 4.30.

Ok so going by the posts presenteeism seems important- I was under the impression that core hours being present and efficiency was what they were after

I think it can be a bit problematic if people shift their working day to 8-4 depending on the work place. 9-5 has always been a bit of a compromise time between those who’d like to start early and finish early and those who’d prefer a later working day.

It depends on whether your work place needs people all there at the same time as one another.

At my work, the hour between 4-5 (and even going on a bit later) can be quite a key time because it tends to be the only time when the more senior people aren’t in meetings and you can get hold of them. The hour between 8-9 tends to be a bit meaningless and can involve people sitting about having a coffee and not doing very much!

And also it is the law to take a break.

No, as several posters have pointed out, breaks are important for health, safety and wellbeing. They're the law.

You can't opt out.

Weather it’s easier for you or not wouldn’t there main priority
his main priority would be be a management presence till end of the day

it doesn't mean your managers can get away with not applying the law.

Your manager should legally impose for you to have a break. If you miss lunch once in a while, no one will be petty enough to notice, but it cannot be a rule and you can't base your contractual hours around not having a break.

Imagine if businesses could get away with not giving breaks to staff!

Regarding "presenteeism", what are the hours IN YOUR CONTRACT?
It's all well and good you prefer some hours, but "organise other staff around work.* is not your place of employment's problem. Often one member of staff trying to impose their own hours has an impact on the team and it's not acceptable.

It might (or might not!) means that you leaving early prevent others from the team to be able to leave early when they need it.

I think some management are controlling and like to have power. Sad really but no other reason for them to behave like that.

or maybe, just maybe, they're doing their job 😂

All that matters is what your employment contract says regarding your hours.

You’re also naive to think promotions don’t involve office politics.

Are you taking any of the 30 mins lunch, as that's unpaid whether you work it or not - in which case I wouldn't count 8-4pm as hitting your contracted hours. You can choose to work through your lunch if you want but it's not part of the contracted hours so 4.30pm would be the correct finish time at my employer

Everybody is obsessed with breaks - the woman is saying she is having her breaks.

if her contract says she is to do forty hours a week minus 36minutes a day for breaks - that’s covered.

if in her interview it was agreed 8 until 4 would be her hours, that’s covered too.

breaks are important, they are a legal requirement, in some jobs the legal requirement can be you work eight hours straight with a 5minute break every hour.

I used to get glares from senior management when I left dead on 5pm to get the train (hours were 9-5pm). It was so bad I used to sneak out the back door! 🤣.

YANBU, and you need to make that clear to your manager. If that was agreed, that was agreed. I'm don't know why people are hanging up on your lunch break, you're not the first or last person to work through their breaks.

I get the shits when people swan off early and leave me to work till 7pm because urgent things come in at 4pm.

It's important to be present in business hours. These have extended somewhat due to the increase in start early leave early people. Everyone would love to leave early, but someone has to cover the work till 5/5.30 when standard business hours end.

Our work has 10-4 core hours where you have to be in and then you either start earlier or finish later whichever works for you. Most people do 8-4 or 8:30-4:30 with a half hour lunch break (it’s enough hours for a 37,5 hour week as the OP said her contracted hours are).

It doesn’t seem to make a difference to promotion potential although I would say management generally work a bit longer either in the office or at home fairly regularly (for “free” / as part of expectation for salary)

I'm confused about why you're working for free. If you genuinely want to give up your lunch break and work through then, if your contracted hours are say 7.5/day, you should be leaving at 3.30 not 4.

If you're doing 8 - 4 for 5 days a week that's 40 hours, which is more than you're being paid for. 5x20 minute breaks/week or 5x30 minute breaks still means you're working your contracted hours (and still giving them some of your labour for free).

Beware the carrot dangling. Ive learned the hard way that this is often just a way to get as much out of you as they can with no expectation of giving you a promotion or anything else

Ignore the lunch break thing. Many people have lunch at their desk. And work through but pop for coffeee and bathroom breaks. You are not working your lunch to leave earlier.
8-4 is 8 hours per day =40 per week - 5x30 min lunches = 37.5

I cannot see the difference between 4 and 4.30 and yes I’d be annoyed too. What hours do everyone else work.

At the end of the day, you’re not entitled to or guaranteed a promotion. So if someone else who is willing to put the extra time in is perceived as a better cultural fit for the job, you have no recourse to complain there.

Plus, there’s a different skillset required for your current role vs a promotion. It might be that efficiency in your current work, isn’t what is required for the next step up. They might want someone who is better at being visible and managing office politics. So whatever you’re currently doing in role, may not be putting you in good standing for promotion.

@IDontHateRainbows @mydogisanidiott thank you - I think your posts understand where I’m coming from- it’s not about the lunch break!!! It’s the carrot dangling attitude which irked me. Of course there is no promotion- I’m spending my time sorting out outdated processes- which is not even my job! I’m doing all this in addition to my job spec and to pick on presenteeism is just so annoying- the mindset in work is so outdated-