Is this odd, or am I overreacting?

[chatterbox30]

Context: started a new job, where I was under the impression from interview, it was flexible working between office, visits, meetings and home, with varying start and finish times between 7am-7pm managing own diary etc. In corporate line of work.

I started a new job, Monday the first day was okay, everyone was chatty and asking about my background, where I worked before etc. As expected. I assumed for first couple of weeks I would be office based 9-5ish settling in. I got laptop, phone and was mostly left to plod on with setting it up.

My second day Tuesday, I came in about 8.45am to find everyone in, and I felt I was late, they were all rushing around and barely said good morning... Again left to plod on with online training rubbish, all the mandatory check list training.

Wednesday I got in for 8.15am and I was the only one there? When they all arrived in at 8.45am, again they barely said hello. I was under the impression I had to stay till everyone else left st 5.30pm, which meant I was in 'over time' / 'flexi'.... No mention of claiming this back? Again left to carry on boring training.

Towards the end of the week and this week, I have been shadowing a couple of colleagues, as expected, travelling with them to meetings in other buildings, when I attempted to make conversation about anything other than work, they have ignored me and sat in radio silence...
For Example, I mentioned whilst driving with one colleague, how I liked a singer playing on the radio, and they didn't reply! We just sat there in silence till I asked if they come this building for work often, they replied yes!!

They have all said they prefer coming into the office to work (all older in late 30-50, no kids/pets and live fairly close). I am 28, live 30mins away have 2 kids and if I can work from home, I'm going to jump at the chance!! I prefer the quietness at home and I can get loads done.

I had an induction meeting with my line manager, who went through a generic checklist, and ticked off flexible working, I queried the times and logging my hours, which was cleared up... I asked about wfh, and travel and was told the department expectation is 3 days in office, 2 wfh. He then proceeded to go on about other teams having to be present in the office 5 days.

Does this sounds odd or am I being dramatic? Debating if I should run for the hills or stick it out and hope I'll be left to my own devices. I'm just not getting a good energy, I'm in my 6 month probation period, and I doubt they'll find anything to stack me with, but I'm so uncertain and it's making me feel uncomfortable.

Sounds very much like my work. General expectation of at least 3 days in office - that’s not documented but I think the manager would have words if you weren’t coming in that much - but actually half of the team prefer to be in the office every day. (Not me haha!)

Start and finish times are pretty flexible. Also not documented and I don’t think anyone would get away with starting later than 9.00am (it’s the sort of industry that has early starts and early finishes) but it’s basically like as long as you get the job done, do it when you like.

I have a role like this. 3 set days in, unless you have meetings or events elsewhere and 2 days working from home. I tend to rock up at about 8 and leave either at 4 or 4.30 depending on the childcare situation. You obviously need to get a clear answer on what the expectation is in this workplace. I mean you can't really be expected to do more than your contracted hours, without some sort of recompense, so this will need clarifying as well. What does it say in your contract?

I know she says corporate but this is 100% like CS. Lots of people don't want to asmit they are CS not happy about office attendance due to certain newspaper and public moaning about them being lazy....

On the other days in the office when they weren't talking to you, were they talking to each other or was everyone just sitting in silence unless talking about work? I personally couldn't work in an environment like that. My office is super friendly and it makes work so much better. We can work flexibly between certain hours and you just log on and off as long as youre working the hours required per day and taking minimum 30 mins lunch, longer than 45 requires supervisor approval in advance. Driving in a car in silence would of made me want to climb out the window to be honest. It's quite strange/cold behaviour.

As others have said two separate issues. I think the main issue is you’re trying to find your feet and fit and people don’t seem very friendly. Does it matter? Next shadow try to chat to them a bit more, ask them about themselves how long they’ve worked there what they enjoy etc or speak to your manager about it. I suspect this is on them I think creating a warm and friendly culture comes from the top down.

Two issues
Approach to time - theyre offering hybrid working aren't they? It's going to take time for you to learn the norms In terms if working hours but if you need something more definitive speak to your manager.

In regards to colleagues you just might be incompatible or it might be they are rude as they appear only time will tell

can you go in the office for all working hours until you get to know your colleagues, the general vibe, how things are done and for colleagues to know you etc? Many people who work autonomously will be doing additional hours, early am or late pms, weekends etc when you dont see them in the office. As long as they are not meant to be answering incoming calls that’s fine. Give it time to get to know people and leave their managers to monitor logged in hours to ensure contracted hours are being worked from home and office

If you have it in writing /in your contract that you are expected to work flexible hours 7-7 than that’s written in stone and no one can query that. Your colleagues sound weird but they’ve no right to get huffy with you regarding the times you are in. Maybe that’s not the reason and they are just weird! Some people don’t take quickly to new folk so if I were you I’d just give it some time to see if people warm up.

As for WFH that’s a different issue. First refer to what’s in your contract or job description. You could tell your manager that what you were told in interview isn’t the same as what you are being told now. Only you can decide if it’s a deal breaker for you working three days in the office. Personally I find wFH five days completely isolating. I’m a hybrid worker but my days in the office vs at home vary from week to week depending what I’ve got on. There are the odd weeks I’m home all week and I hate it.

If everyone is flexi working, then this is what it will look like?

If you don't feel it works, either sit down and work out an actual schedule and clarify with your boss they are ok with it (as you seem to be under the impression you're doing it wrong), or don't and leave. You're 28 not a child, get clarification if you need it.

My role is very similar to this in regards flexi- as long as people work their contracted hours each week and are in for core hours -10-3 they can work whatever shift works for them. I found it a bit strange to start when people starting clocking off at 3, but I just work 8-5 as that’s what works for me and my childcare.
we are told 2 days per week in the office but it’s never been enforced. Some work one every other week, most do one day per week. Takes a while to get to know everyone as you hardly see them!

6 months is a nice long probation period, I’d start going in line with the policy and when works for you rather than what seems to be an invisible expectation, and give people time to warm up to you as you settle in to the job. If you just can’t click with people after several months, you might want to start looking for other gigs because you spend a lot of your life at work. But don’t go quitting without another job lined up this early on, these sound like teething problems/new starter nerves.

I'd stick it out a bit longer. Some people take time to 'warm' to newbies.
As for the flexible working. I manage my own time, so might work 8 hours one day bit would work 6 another to balance it to 2 x 7.

If as a pp states it is Civil Service then go on the Intranet and search for Flexi Time policy. This will then set out the rules that operate in your office/department. Read them then ask your manager to confirm this is what you are permitted to do.

sounds like my last job - basically did the induction Tick-Box stuff and gradually got absorbed into the team.

I, too, did the first month (my decision, nobody talked about it) in the office then settled into what i thought would be a nice routine of 3 office and 2 home. But the trains are so stupid and so often late i changed it to 2 office and 3 home for better work/life balance, and again, nobody bats an eyelid.

I would guess, OP, that they treat people like adults, even the 3/2 arrangement doesn't sound mandatory so when you are settled in why not just do 2/3 and see how it goes?

As for the lack of small talk - I'd find that difficult, but again, once you get to know people a bit better it might feel more comfortable for them to talk to you.

I work flexi time with core hours 10-2pm and it does take some getting used to but I really wouldn't try and be first in/last out unless this is something you're prepared to sustain (& frankly, unless it's very well paid, you'd be mad to!) - just do your hours within the 7-7 and stop worrying what everyone else is doing.

I agree with the previous poster who said the issue with colleagues is unlikely to be your working hours but something else entirely. I would speak to a line manager about the general standoffishness as that is unprofessional & not a nice environment to be in.

That sounds standard for flexi-time - you should have a time-sheet somewhere that calculates hours worked. In my last job my core team generally did roundabout 9-5ish, give and take, but the wider team had people who would be in at 7 and away much earlier or the opposite. It's super-handy to be able to take a long lunch for a haircut or whatever, and to bank time by working late to then have a "flexi day" off.

It sounds like your colleagues are not very welcoming/friendly which is a separate issue.

I’ve worked in a few jobs like this. You just need to take control of your own time and leave when your hours are done and work from home when you want. I initially felt awkward and that I needed to announce it- right my hours are done see you later! Or see you weds as I am going to WFH tomorrow.

People can be weird when there’s a new person. Try and talk to people one on one as you never know what’s causing the weird atmosphere (my last team hated each other and there was always tension when certain people were together). It takes time but you will settle in.

As to you coworkers being stand offish. You have been there a week today and already know their ages and that they are childless, that's pretty forthcoming to be honest. I wouldn't have been comfortable disclosing that to a newcomer so soon. Maybe your personal questioning has given them the hump?

Is it a public sector employer ? In my experience you’ll be expected to work standard hours whilst you are learning and then you can start doing flexi once that’s finished. If you need to do flexi during that period for any reason you should speak to your manager who can agree it so long as the hours remain the same - Ie not accrue a deficit or gain.

Just do what was agreed in your contract and don't worry about colleagues.

Me and all my colleagues work different hours and start and finish times. 2 of us sometimes WFH if we have childcare issues.

If you don't settle in after a few weeks, you can start looking for something else?

I work somewhere like this. When I started I was the only person who ever worked from
home. I worked from the office for the first few weeks and then from home once I felt comfortable with the work. It felt very weird to begin with, but I cracked on with it and what was initially a fixed term contract got made permanent. As long as you can show sufficient output you’ll be fine. Stick to your guns when it comes to your working hours.

It sounds like your colleagues are just really boring and not into socialising or making friends at work. Which is a shame, but you've done nothing wrong. You were told it's flexible, 7-7. I'd take that as I could go off and do my own thing for a couple of hours half way through the day if I wanted. It's none of the others' concern. If they have no banter or fun culture I fail to see why they'd care if you were at your desk or on the moon. Within designated hours.

I think if they said flexible and 2 days a week from home I'd do that. If you come in at 8 then leave at 4:30... the only one making you stay on longer there was you. If you set the expectation up front that you will work long days because you come in early they'll come to expect it.

I am fully home based and manage a large team. I say it's flexible and I mean it. I don't check on my team's whereabouts - I just want to see good output. The number of folks who still stress if they are 10 minutes late (late for what?? I don't set a start time!) and text me to say they have been delayed is nuts.

So perhaps not as flexible as sounded in interview, I think this is often the case! What does contract say?
At least it's now cleared up and if 2 days WFH and the clarifed start/finish time suit you then that's OK, although would be miffed at being mislead at interview.
Lesson learned to check contract and get confirmation of working patterns, at least via email before starting.

But I think the bigger issue is the rude/ uncomunicative colleagues.
Being stone walled and ignored isn't a good working atmosphere.
I wonder if something has happened before you came to create this atmosphere, a micro managing boss,
, a colleague been let go, terms and conditions changed and they aren't happy for whatever reason.
If it doesn't thaw out then I would look for another job (unless pay, location, etc really suit you)
As its miserable working with colleagues like this and it can really dent your confidence and self esteem if people just ignore you, are they like this with each other too??

I think you are over thinking it to be honest. My place people just go in to do their minimum office days which they agreed, then hours depend on your own diaries/workload - some people do 2 days, some 3 days, some prefer more in he office. Some days you work more hours, other days you think nah i fancy a shorter day today, some days you take long lunches, some days you work through. As long as you get your job done worry about your own work life otherwise you'll drive yourself insane worrying about everyone else. Also, no one likes to be called out on this type of thing. Just worry about yourself.