15 Minutes expected before you begin

279 replies

ThatPearlkitty · 25/03/2026 01:01

Inspired by another thread but a separate topic when eg the role is 9 to 5 paid hourly then why do some employers want people eg 15 mins before your actual start time why dont they pay for your time before then, yes i understand most roles is necessary eg coat, get ready for the day etc but then its free labour ?

OP posts:

Toker · 29/03/2026 09:39

It's illegal. Plain and simple. It's not a grey area or optional. If your employer wants you on the premises 15 minutes before you are due to start work then they have to pay you for that time. Too many middle management pricks think they know employment law when they don't have clue!
These are basic rights that our grandparents fought and died for. Slowly being eroded by 25 year old supervisors who think that company policy trumps Employment Law.

Toker · 29/03/2026 09:45

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 25/03/2026 02:22

It’s not a fresh debate though. People have explained it to you. Don’t do it if you don’t want to but if your employer has this policy and you don’t do it, it won’t be an issue for long

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Quite right. As soon as it reaches an employment tribunal the company will be forced to back down. I hate the whole, "If you don't like it leave" attitude. This is the language of abusers and criminals. Employment laws are there for a reason. Companies don't have the right to pick and choose which ones they implement to suit them.

marcyhermit · 29/03/2026 10:56

chaosx5 · 28/03/2026 23:41

At my work, I'm a swimming teacher, they expect us to collect an ipad from the office, arrange equipment on poolside before we start, and clear it away after the last lesson. That's easily 30-45 mins for every shift, and not paid for, which stings more, when if a class has no children turn up, we are expected not to change out of wet things, tidy equipment, but we need to assist another teacher, which can be more disruptive than helpful. Recently, a colleague was told she needed to arrive 30 mins early to set up, to cover a younger class, in the learner pool, due to sickness, which was extremely difficult for her due to childcare constraints.
Understandably, we must be on time for safety reasons, but that leeway, should be reflected from both sides, or paid on top on our contracted hours.

Do you just accept the unpaid work?

smithsgj · 31/03/2026 13:57

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 25/03/2026 02:05

Then don’t take a job requiring you to do this.

Working 9-5 means being ready to start at 9 and stopping at 5 THEN logging off etc.

But then I have never been an arse about flexibility so each to their own 🤷‍♀️

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I've never had this kind of job but it seems obvious to me that logging in and logging off/starting up and shutting down a computer is on the employer's time because it's part of the work you're required to do. Taking off your coat and making a coffee, not so much.

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