I'm always first to leave the office. Feel like I'm skiving.

JackieChang

My hours are 9-5 and I'm usually gone by 5 ish. I might work till 5.30 sometimes and once in a blue moon I'd stay till 6 or 7 if a deadline HAS to be met. But 99% of the time I'm out the door between 5 and 5.15pm.

My manager and office mates always stay till much later. I've heard of them leaving at 6pm, 7pm or 8pm. It's getting a bit awkward saying "bye now" at the end of the day, I feel like I'm taking the piss and should be staying on.

Anybody else in a work environment like this? Do you give in and stay an extra hour for the sake of it?


No I don't work in finance.

edit: forgot to add that none of us get paid for overtime.

davehey79

Similar set up in my own office and exact same if I need to I will stay on to finish something or if asked politely. Don't get paid over time and 9-5 also and if I walk out at 5 and others stay on that's their call. I have a life outside the office walls. Wouldn't pass any more thought on it.

micar

Well I work in an office...work 8-4.

Usually at my desk at 7.45. Only really take 30 mins for lunch.

Shut down the pc 3.50...and leg it at 3.55...... So long suckers

CalamariFritti

I wouldn't pay any attention to it. If you work your hours and get your stuff done there is no reason to stay put for appearance sake.
If others feel the need to do so or can't get their stuff done in time that's their problem.

harr

JackieChang wrote: »

My hours are 9-5 and I'm usually gone by 5 ish. I might work till 5.30 sometimes and once in a blue moon I'd stay till 6 or 7 if a deadline HAS to be met. But 99% of the time I'm out the door between 5 and 5.15pm.

My manager and office mates always stay till much later. I've heard of them leaving at 6pm, 7pm or 8pm. It's getting a bit awkward saying "bye now" at the end of the day, I feel like I'm taking the piss and should be staying on.

Anybody else in a work environment like this? Do you give in and stay an extra hour for the sake of it?


No I don't work in finance.

Do you get paid OT if you work past 5 ? Does everyone in office perform same job and could they have heavier work loads.
If you have your work done and you are not falling behind and you don't get paid OT then I wouldn't worry about it..you have shown you are willing to stay back if a deadline is approaching or the work load is bigger.

Radiant Cool Crazy Nightmare

You are doing it right, they are doing it wrong. Work to live not the other way around.

JackieChang

harr wrote: »

Do you get paid OT if you work past 5 ? Does everyone in office perform same job and could they have heavier work loads.

Forgot to add in my original post - none of us get paid OT.

We perform different functions and one of the people in the office is our manager.

But even if we have different workloads - and it does vary for all of us now and then as I said I'd stay late if I really need to get something done - surely they would have some chance of leaving at 5pm here and there. I'm literally always the first person out the door. I feel like I'm breaking an unofficial policy.

Anyway, I'll just keep doing what I'm doing as others have suggested.

harr

JackieChang wrote: »

Forgot to add in my original post - none of us get paid OT.

We perform different functions and one of the people in the office is our manager.

But even if we have different workloads - and it does vary for all of us now and then as I said I'd stay late if I really need to get something done - surely they would have some chance of leaving at 5pm here and there. I'm literally always the first person out the door. I feel like I'm breaking an unofficial policy.

Anyway, I'll just keep doing what I'm doing as others have suggested.

Don't worry about it so...the others will get very little thanks for it...if anything it shows they can't get work done in regular days hours and you can...no chance I would be working an extra 6-7 hours a week for nothing...that's working a full extra day without pay...

Wanderer2010

Keep doing as you are doing OP. Don't worry about anyone else because they certainly aren't worrying about you! The boss knows you are good for some overtime when required. He or she will respect you if you stick to your work hours and only offer help now and then. A lot of people who only stay late for show are misguided and naïve, thinking longer hours = more respect = a promotion to a job that they end up hating anyway.

The old adage is right. Work to live not the other way around.

Avatar MIA

How do you know they are not always out the door 5 minutes after you :pac:

jimmycrackcorm

JackieChang wrote: »

My manager and office mates always stay till much later. I've heard of them leaving at 6pm, 7pm or 8pm. It's getting a bit awkward saying "bye now" at the end of the day, I feel like I'm taking the piss and should be staying on.

They're making up for spending an extra hour during thew day on Boards.

Leaving on time is normal enough as long as you aren't viewed as a clock-watcher or deemed as someone on a computer who gets up mid-sentence in Word.

Bear in mind though that if you go for a promotion, you'll just be at a disadvantage against someone who is perceived to work extra.

Samuel T. Cogley

Some of the best managers I've ever worked with had the attitude that if you can't get the work done in the allotted hours you can't do the job.

sdanseo

Samuel T. Cogley wrote: »

Some of the best managers I've ever worked with had the attitude that if you can't get the work done in the allotted hours you can't do the job.

That completely depends on the work. We deal with clients and volume of queries in any given day can be massive. Fridays, for example, we generally stay till 6 or 6.30. Short lunches. But then if you need flexibility to leave an hour early here and there, you can.

I regard it as part and parcel of being salaried and people who stick to their exact hours with zero flexibility annoy me a little. They're not in the wrong, but it comes across as a little unreasonable once the employer is willing to recognise the extra time worked somehow.

Samuel T. Cogley

sdanseo wrote: »

That completely depends on the work. We deal with clients and volume of queries in any given day can be massive. Fridays, for example, we generally stay till 6 or 6.30. Short lunches. But then if you need flexibility to leave an hour early here and there, you can.

I regard it as part and parcel of being salaried and people who stick to their exact hours with zero flexibility annoy me a little. They're not in the wrong, but it comes across as a little unreasonable once the employer is willing to recognise the extra time worked somehow.

That's entirely reasonable in the given situation. However there seems to be this ridiculous US working practice of being seen to be there for the sake of it. If the OP has all his work done, or the company is running with too few staff then they should keep doing what they're doing. To be fair he suggested that when he needs to stay he stays. When a deadline is looming I'd rather have well rested staff in than someone who's leaving at 2am instead of 10pm today.

evolving_doors

sdanseo wrote: »

That completely depends on the work. We deal with clients and volume of queries in any given day can be massive. Fridays, for example, we generally stay till 6 or 6.30. Short lunches. But then if you need flexibility to leave an hour early here and there, you can.

I regard it as part and parcel of being salaried and people who stick to their exact hours with zero flexibility annoy me a little. They're not in the wrong, but it comes across as a little unreasonable once the employer is willing to recognise the extra time worked somehow.

What if you were told in interview that the hours are 9 to 5... then you gotta pick up the kids before creche closes at 6?


OP I reckon those other numpties are waiting for you to get lost before they can break out the coke and hookers.

Elemonator

I believe in the work to live thing. It's okay to leave at that time.

Just don't be expecting an excessive bonus when you don't put in excessive hours.

sdanseo

Gebgbegb wrote: »

What if you were told in interview that the hours are 9 to 5... then you gotta pick up the kids before creche closes at 6?


OP I reckon those other numpties are waiting for you to get lost before they can break out the coke and hookers.

Well then you might come in a little earlier and finish a little earlier on a day where you'd know it would be a bit busier. Or maybe do a weekend morning to finish work that doesn't involve clients (in most places you'd get the time back as leave if you did that).

My gripe wouldn't be with anyone doing their hours and going home per se, it would be with an unwillingness to show any flexibility in general. Naturally that has to work both ways.

To answer the OP's question - once you're willing to muck in somehow when the going gets tough, I wouldn't feel in any way guilty about leaving on time. Just don't be that guy who refuses to do anything extra, ever.

JackieChang

sdanseo wrote: »

To answer the OP's question - once you're willing to muck in somehow when the going gets tough, I wouldn't feel in any way guilty about leaving on time. Just don't be that guy who refuses to do anything extra, ever.

I'm not that guy.

As I said I'll stay late if I have to and I have done in the past. When I do stay late it doesn't feel like I'm putting in extra effort because everybody else stays late anyway. After 2 hours "overtime" I leave with the rest of them at the normal time of 7pm. I'd have to stay until 9 or 10pm to be seen as "mucking in" as you say.

davo10

Like all situations of this type, there is for and against. If you are not getting any benefit from staying late, overtime, time in lieu, improved chance of promotion/salary increase, then you are right to leave at the end of your day.

On the other hand, if advancement in the job is a goal of yours, the other guys are now ahead of you.

whiskeyman

If you're getting your allotted work done, it's no problem.
Many places have the above mentality.
It can stem from the management and work down. Some of the IT / web firms are notorious for it.
If you've kids, you're very unlikely to be able to stay any longer so don't get into the habit.
As has been said, those staying longer aren't necessarily being any more productive than you.
If it's in any way suggested they are, I'd seriously reconsider working there.

Wanderer78

Like others have said, it depends on your goals, if you're a life orientated person, enjoy your down time, but if you 're a career orientated person, your fellow work mates are ahead. I personally think you're doing the right thing op. Best of luck

Donal55

sdanseo wrote: »

That completely depends on the work. We deal with clients and volume of queries in any given day can be massive. Fridays, for example, we generally stay till 6 or 6.30. Short lunches. But then if you need flexibility to leave an hour early here and there, you can.

I regard it as part and parcel of being salaried and people who stick to their exact hours with zero flexibility annoy me a little. They're not in the wrong, but it comes across as a little unreasonable once the employer is willing to recognise the extra time worked somehow.

The OPs boss wont pay o/t and you're suggesting flexibility.
Its a two way street.

Mantis Toboggan

As someone who used to get paid for overtime and now doesn't I won't be working free of charge for anyone anymore.

winesday

I am always the first to leave in my place too. 5 O'clock and I'm practically running out the door. People here would usually stay an extra 30 mins, They don;t get paid or there is no time in lieu. It was said to me before by a co-worker about me always leaving on time. Told her to work more efficiently and maybe she would get out on time!

stargazer 68

When I started work in a company - many years ago - 6 o clock came and I got up to go. A couple of the other pa's looked at me like I was mad - 'he hasn't said you can leave yet'!! Knocked that on the head straight away!

I have stayed late in the office to finish stuff - I hate coming in to a pile of tapes etc - but certainly wouldn't do it on a regular basis. If I have my work done off I go!

seamus

I can definitely understand how leaving before everyone else makes it feel like you're skiving. But ultimately the measure comes down to whether you're getting your work done. If you are, great, then you have nothing to worry about.

Don't be fooled into believing that management are measuring performance based on the hours someone spends in the building. They are most definitely measuring it based on what you're getting done and your willingness to help out when actually needed.

If your colleagues are staying till 7pm and still only getting through the same amount of work as you, then management will notice this and it looks good for you and bad for them.

Nowhere on your CV will it ever say, "worked 50 hours weeks when I only got paid for 40" and your manager will never say "he stayed late every night" when giving a reference. Consistently staying late to impress management is literally a waste of time. You won't get rewarded for it at any stage.

The only time this is an issue is if it's mentioned to you in a performance review. That's when you ask for more money if they want you to do longer working days.

mrcheez

micar wrote: »

Well I work in an office...work 8-4.

Usually at my desk at 7.45. Only really take 30 mins for lunch.

Shut down the pc 3.50...and leg it at 3.55...... So long suckers

Starting at 8 and 30 mins for lunch? I'd leave on day 1

Start at 10 and 1 hour lunch in the sunshine (where applicable) ... can't live without it

Aglomerado

I worked in a private sector office job where the contracted hours were 8-5 with an hour for lunch. No overtime. It was in a manufacturing environment so there were shift workers in the warehouse and plant.

I was always gone at 5 while my manager and some colleagues stayed on.
A few months on, I was reassigned to a new role within the same department which was more logistics driven. My manager told me "And you won't be able to leave at 5 any more", in a sneering tone.

Day one in the new role, I was getting up to speed with the routine and stayed back until about 6.

Day two, I devised a system which worked for me and had all my paperwork down in the warehouse for 4.30. Everything was done, so all I had to do then was mark time until five and scoot out the door. From then I was always gone at 5.

The manager used to glare at me but there was nothing she could do, I'd done my tasks for the day. She was often there until 8, she called me once from the office at that time because a driver had turned up a day early and the paperwork wasn't there, so she needed to know if there was another order ready that he could take.

I don't know what she was doing all that time. She shared the office with us and often spent 1-2 hours talking on the company phone to her children in Spain / Israel.

It's great working and having a job, but it's even better to have a life outside.

I'm a civil servant now and have flexitime. I can and do occasionally work 8-6 or even 8-7 when there is pressure, but I get those hours back to use at a quieter time.

Hollister11

mrcheez wrote: »

Starting at 8 and 30 mins for lunch? I'd leave on day 1

Start at 10 and 1 hour lunch in the sunshine (where applicable) ... can't live without it

What's wrong with starting at 8. Absolutely nothing. It's actually better as your up earlier and get more out of your day.

mrcheez

Hollister11 wrote: »

What's wrong with starting at 8. Absolutely nothing. It's actually better as your up earlier and get more out of your day.

it's actually safer cycling to work for 10 and leaving later. I'm not a morning person so 8 would kill me, if the commute didn't !

EDIT: saying that though, 30 mins for lunch is a bit criminal isn't it? A one hour break would increase productivity no?

Hollister11

mrcheez wrote: »

it's actually safer cycling to work for 10 and leaving later. I'm not a morning person so 8 would kill me, if the commute didn't !

EDIT: saying that though, 30 mins for lunch is a bit criminal isn't it? A one hour break would increase productivity no?

Haha good answer.

I suppose it depends on the person, and the type of day your having.

Some just need a bit of food and a chat so half hour is sufficient. But others need to full hour to go for a walk, clear the head, eat and talk longer with colleagues.

inforfun

People here will probably come to my desk and ask if everything is ok if am still here 5 minutes past.
I get nothing for free so why would i give my time for free?

bee06

mrcheez wrote: »

it's actually safer cycling to work for 10 and leaving later. I'm not a morning person so 8 would kill me, if the commute didn't !

EDIT: saying that though, 30 mins for lunch is a bit criminal isn't it? A one hour break would increase productivity no?

I'd prefer 30 mins and to leave 30 mins earlier. I dunno what I'd do for an hour lunch! I start at 8 as well to avoid traffic. It's always nice and quite as well because most people don't start til later.

OP, I'm in a similar situation. I start at 8 and am supposed to finish at 4.30. I aim to leave at 5 but will stay if I have to (was there til 9.00 last Friday). But I'm always the first to go and feel so guilty when I see others sending emails at 8.00 or even sometimes 1 in the morning (working from home). But I always get my work done so it would be stupid to sit there until 6 for the sake of being seen to be there.

witchgirl26

OP has anyone actually said anything to you?

Honestly if you are getting your stuff done and not leaving things for others to have to pick up then don't worry overmuch. I don't get paid OT and generally am out the door just after 5 (work 8.30-5 normally). If there's bits I want to get done or if I feel I've had a really unproductive morning and feel guilty, I'll stay a bit to finish off stuff. Likewise, my boss is flexible with me if I need to start a bit later or take extra time at lunch for an appointment.

I don't agree with staying late for the sake of being seen to do OT. And this hasn't hindered my career at all. In fact in an interview I did last year I asked about overtime (in a place where you'd traditionally expect to see people putting in mad hours) and was told by the director I would have been working for that if I was having to do loads of OT they'd look at why as there's normally only 3 reasons: 1) The workload is definitively too much to get done in the time frame and more senior members of staff would need to look at this; 2) I was not being productive myself and therefore not getting things done on time; or 3) It was a one-off project which had a very aggressive due date and could there be some flexibility in hours afterwards as recognition.

Ben Gadot

Samuel T. Cogley wrote: »

Some of the best managers I've ever worked with had the attitude that if you can't get the work done in the allotted hours you can't do the job.

Aye, between the time I arrive and leave I get my own tasks done as well as being available to offer dig outs to my colleagues. All done without staying for excessive clocking (though if something has to be done I'll put in the extra time and get it done). I also deal with a high volume of queries but I believe in managing your work and not instantly dropping everything at once to answer someone. If you do that your head would be fried.

I think your work should speak for itself and I've never had problems re bonuses and rises (relatively speaking).

I've seen so many people put on the facade of working hard as well as becoming the person everyone knows. Yet they are ones leaving in anger when the time comes around to appraisal.

In short, don't worry about it op if you can back it up with your work.

the_pen_turner

i don't understand the logic of if your work is done then you don't need to stay


you shouldn't stay either way. a few minutes to finish off is ok.
once you are working away and not dossing

if you have an 8 hour day and each task you do takes an hour. you should get 8 done in a day . if you are given 9 or 10 tasks do do then its not your fault that you 'only' got 8 done. that's bad management
if its an urgent order etc , once off panic then work late to get it done but not for free or at least a bit of give and take.

76544567

I used to do long hours in a company.
I would.do from 7am until 7pm, but i only did it because i got paid overtime.

There was.one guy who used to start at 6:30 and when he left at 4 all the tut tutting would start from the other staff about him leaving early.
Didn't matter that they all did 9-5 and the guy was in 2.5 hours before any of them. All they saw was him leaving before them. They to say things like, Joe is on a half day again. Or, would it kill him to hang around and give us a dig out once in a while.

I wouldn't take any notice op. And i certainly wouldn't do ot if i wasn't paid for it.

Ben Gadot

The funny thing is that some people don't realise what you can get done between 6.30am-9am without interruption. The same goes for after 5pm-7pm, only difference is that some people prefer to use the earlier window.

Neon_Lights

If you stay in past the appointed time other than the fact there's something urgent to be dealt with, you are an incompetent loser who sucks at both their job and life

davo10

Neon_Lights wrote: »

If you stay in past the appointed time other than the fact there's something urgent to be dealt with, you are an incompetent loser who sucks at both their job and life

There's a contender for "Sweeping statement of the year".

There are a whole lot of reasons for staying late, but the only good ones are the ones that benefit the employee. If not for pay or time in lieu, then it must be for improved chances of advancement. An employer considering candidates for promotion often chose the ones who can be relied on to put in the extra effort when needed. Of course if the person who leaves on time is much better at their job, he/she should be promoted, but that doesn't always happen.

Jodotman

People have to realize employers really don't give a flying f about you unless you are the 1 in 10 who are exceptional at job and would do anything to keep you and make you happy. You are making them a profit.

It depends really on your salary and responsibilities about overtime.

I wouldn't stay working in a company that doesn't pay you overtime or give you back the time in annual leave

I wouldn't stay working in a company if you had to work three hours extra every night because they are short staffed even if they did give you additional leave or pay

I would work overtime for two weeks solid because a project is finishing then yes if they gave me back in holidays/pay.

I want to be out the door at 5.30 every single day.

Avatar MIA

Jodotman wrote: »

I want to be out the door at 5.30 every single day.

And there's definitely a need/place for people that want that.

davo10

Avatar MIA wrote: »

And there's definitely a need/place for people that want that.

Companies and built on people like this and they provide neat stepping stones for those that are career minded.

Neon_Lights

davo10 wrote: »

There's a contender for "Sweeping statement of the year".

There are a whole lot of reasons for staying late, but the only good ones are the ones that benefit the employee. If not for pay or time in lieu, then it must be for improved chances of advancement. An employer considering candidates for promotion often chose the ones who can be relied on to put in the extra effort when needed. Of course if the person who leaves on time is much better at their job, he/she should be promoted, but that doesn't always happen.

What I gauge from what's being said there is that if you're a lick arse, stay late. If you're getting overtime and need it why not.

But yeah it's more about an ability to get things done rather than a morose personality deficient individual looking at cats for 2 hours after their contracted home time.

I think the standard workday is too long as it is, studies have shown and I agree that people are most effective in 6 hour sprints and are happier because of it.

Ayuntamiento

bee06 wrote: »

mrcheez wrote: »

it's actually safer cycling to work for 10 and leaving later. I'm not a morning person so 8 would kill me, if the commute didn't !

EDIT: saying that though, 30 mins for lunch is a bit criminal isn't it? A one hour break would increase productivity no?

I'd prefer 30 mins and to leave 30 mins earlier. I dunno what I'd do for an hour lunch! I start at 8 as well to avoid traffic. It's always nice and quite as well because most people don't start til later.

OP, I'm in a similar situation. I start at 8 and am supposed to finish at 4.30. I aim to leave at 5 but will stay if I have to (was there til 9.00 last Friday). But I'm always the first to go and feel so guilty when I see others sending emails at 8.00 or even sometimes 1 in the morning (working from home). But I always get my work done so it would be stupid to sit there until 6 for the sake of being seen to be there.

I feel the person who sends an email at 1am would actually look a bit deranged and sad...
I sleep with my phone next to my bed for the alarm so if I got an email at 1am it would probably wake me up. I'm sure that would piss of a lot of people.

I've heard that some of the multinationals have enforced a policy whereby if you must send an email at an unreasonable hour, you have to go to HR the next day and account for it as that kind of bs is one of the many factors leading to burn-out and high employee turnover.

Jodotman

Just to add to my post I don't mind people who stay on late to achieve the promotions etc. Some people love working and would rather be working than been at home.

People seem seem to stay in jobs for a long time in crap benefits and crap work life balance. Most times you change job you should see a pay increase, keep changing to get the best benefits, working conditions and to ease the workload.
Took me 8 tries to find the perfect job and will never leave the company i'm in to go back working in crap again.

I love Sean nos

How many people work in your office OP? If there's 4 others working an extra 2 - 3 hours per day, then that's enough workload to justify a headcount increase.
So your colleague consistently performing this work means that there's a job opening for someone that needs it.
Assuming of course that they're all not just inefficient.

witchgirl26

Ayuntamiento wrote: »

I feel the person who sends an email at 1am would actually look a bit deranged and sad...
I sleep with my phone next to my bed for the alarm so if I got an email at 1am it would probably wake me up. I'm sure that would piss of a lot of people.

I've heard that some of the multinationals have enforced a policy whereby if you must send an email at an unreasonable hour, you have to go to HR the next day and account for it as that kind of bs is one of the many factors leading to burn-out and high employee turnover.

That doesn't always work though in a multinational. I mean the US working hours or Singapore ones would be through our night time so they may be sending emails at a reasonable time for them.

My last company was a multinational and the policy in our team (which was global) was that you weren't expected to answer any emails after 7pm your time. I'd wake up though most mornings to about 10-15 emails sent during their work days and I'd just deal with them then. I don't believe sending people to HR for that is right - HR have more to be dealing with and it's not their issue if someone can't just ignore their phone.

I love Sean nos

witchgirl26 wrote: »

My last company was a multinational and the policy in our team (which was global) was that you weren't expected to answer any emails after 7pm your time. I'd wake up though most mornings to about 10-15 emails sent during their work days and I'd just deal with them then. I don't believe sending people to HR for that is right - HR have more to be dealing with and it's not their issue if someone can't just ignore their phone.

Also work for a multinational, so there's a lot of mails coming in at all hours. I've gotten into the habit of switching off the data connections (wifi and mobile) on the phone at night. That stops the beeping and flashing lights at weird hours.

In fact I go through periods of removing work mail and apps from my phone altogether. When travelling, it can be handy to check in on how things are going, but that has to be balanced against the need to switch off.

The last client I worked with had a rule about not sending them notifications after 22:00 unless it was something absolutely critical.

Wanderer2010

I work for a multinational but never ever get emails on my phone after work? Why would anyone have your work email connected to your phone? I can see why senior managers may need to be connected at all times but why would anyone under this level be getting emails at home in the middle of the night?

I love Sean nos

Wanderer2010 wrote: »

I work for a multinational but never ever get emails on my phone after work? Why would anyone have your work email connected to your phone? I can see why senior managers may need to be connected at all times but why would anyone under this level be getting emails at home in the middle of the night?

Might come as part of a work-supplied phone.

Some see it as a status thing.

Also, not all emails received require action. The company I work for in particular are masters at generating mails that I could not care less about. A lot are automatically generated, which means they can arrive at strange hours. That's why I switch off my data connections when hitting the scratcher.