Unfair to ask this of manager

Digital Solitude

Hi guys, apologies if this is in the wrong forum but I think/hope I'm okay.

Basically, I've been in my job for about a month, I got the job through playing football with the owner so I didn't get in on qualifications or anything, though it is in a chipper anyways.

The manager has been fairly sound to me, any time I'll be late for a shift for football or miss one at short notice he's never got any problems and is forgiving to my mistakes.

The last few weeks, maybe 11 of my 12 shifts have been until closing, so I don't leave work until 2am, so I'm assuming he wants me to be trained into this.

Next week I'm moving house though and will have to cycle to work, it's a good 25-30 minute cycle each way, so I'm not hyped for the idea of cycling through the city at 2am for 30 mins, especially on a weekend. It's the far side of the city so none of the other guys will be able to give me a lift back.

Am I being a fanny about having to cycle that late or would people think I'm right in not being okay with the idea, I don't want to leave the manager out by saying I can't work past 10 or so anymore, especially when I've been specifically closing pretty much since I started.

Tl;dr don't want to cycle across the city at 2am for safety reasons, am I being a bitch and should suck it up or is this a genuine complaint

Thanks for any reply.

mada82

It's not your jobs problem that you've moved. They will be doing you a favour if they change your shifts but they could also refuse to.

Digital Solitude

Our shifts are changed weekly so it's not a huge ordeal I don't think

K_P

Are you suggesting you ask your manager for you not to be rostered after 10 just while you're moving, or is it for the foreseeable future? I think either would be a bit cheeky, but if it's the latter, then you're taking the p***.

People have to commute all sorts of distances and times for jobs, it's part of working and it's something no one enjoys. If you don't want to cycle across the city at 2am, then get a bus, taxi or any other form of transport. Cycling doesn't have to be your only option and if it is and you're dead set against cycling at night, then maybe start looking for other employment.

Mrs OBumble

You're not being a bitch: friends of mine who cycle specifically avoid the city when drunks are around, because messing with a person on a bicycle seems to be regarded as hilarious. I'm guessing that you don't have a car, there are no buses a a taxi would be horrendously expensive.

You need to talk to the owner.

Tell him about the situation, and that you didn't realise when you took the job that it would always involve closes, and that not happy cycling across the city at night-club kick-out time. If he's worth working for, he will realise why.

Best case, he will say fine, and put you on a different shift. Worse case, he'll have to let you go.

The only thing you can do wrong here is not to let him know the truth of the situation.

ted1

You need to quit. The job isn't for you and as an employee you sound unreliable

Dial Hard

Which city? Your location says Leitrim.

roast

Nope, cycling through any town at 2AM is a valid concern - of yours. It's not really your employers problem.

It sounds like he's being pretty lenient already - IMO you're lucky to have a manager who's so laid back. Most wouldn't be that accommodating to be okay with employees showing up late.
Might be worth asking him - but don't be surprised to hear a PFO.

Alanstrainor

I'd cycle through Dublin at that time without much worry. Just choose your route and avoid hot spots. Worth trying at least before bringing this to your manager. I think given that you've only been in the job a short while, and you have already been late it would be taking the piss to suggest that you cant work after 10.

Digital Solitude

Fair enough guys, thanks for the honest replies. I'll give it some time and see how I get on, your post is making me feel like I'll be sound Alan, thanks for that.

If push comes to shove I'll keep working the late hours I'd just prefer not to, I don't know where me leaving the job and being unreliable come from? And I highly doubt I'll be fired for asking.

Regarding it, would it be bad form to just request Saturday nights I don't work late? They'd obviously be the busiest around town.

*edit* Regarding being late it's pointed out to him that I can't start the shift on time atleast 4-5 days in advance, I'm not arriving late and apologising or anything of that nature.

simonw

can you just change your route? adding a few mins to your journey to avoid the likes of camden street or college green would probably solve your problem