Can they let me go?

JimiTime · 05-03-2016 10:59PM

seamus wrote: »

Is being late really that big a deal though?

Are you working shift work, or serving customers, or having to unlock doors/open up?

Has anyone actually said anything to you about being late, or made you sign into a "late book" (I had a job which had one of those), or does nobody even blink?

Are your hours completely fixed (i.e. 9-5), or do most people occasionally start or finish earlier/later.

As a manager I wouldn't really care if an employee turned up five or ten minutes late a couple of times so long as their job wasn't time-bound and it was clear they weren't just punching a clock.

It's easy to get spooked during your probation because you feel like you're not contributing.

You're 4 months in now, which is actually a perfect time to sit down with your boss and ask for feedback on whether he thinks there's anything you should address coming up to the end of probation. Don't mention the late thing unless he does.

Huge Kudos to you in this! There are some that have a 'computer says no' attitude to lateness, and it boggles the mind. Its great to see someone who still asks the relevant questions in relation to it. I have worked in companies where negligence, bad attitude etc go un-noticed, but a really good guy arriving in 10 minutes late a few times and they lose their mind. I always employed a 'whats the work like and is it effected' policy regarding lateness.

bored_stupid · 05-03-2016 11:22PM

Would stay off facebook twitter when in or going to bed on work nights ask famaliy and friends not to text or ring after serting time of night unless its an emergency .

Set your alarm on your phone on a weekly setting in case you forget some nights or might nod off .

Your manager may understand missing the bus now and again even when the bus just drives by your stop half full [feckers ] but you don,t want your workmates to start talking about you been late as this is what i,d be worried about as your manager will be asking your workmate for feedback on how your getting on in work .

If in dublin try work out bus times give yourself extra time /use buses free wifi aswell .
http://www.dublinbus.ie/Your-Journey1/Timetables/

vetinari · 07-03-2016 01:23AM

Completely depends on the work culture at the company.
If you're not customer facing or have time specific appointments, it shouldn't matter too much.

Like someone else mentioned, it can be annoying to see people place a lot of focus on timekeeping (primarily because it's easy to measure) but a lot less focus on output at work (because it's harder to measure).

livedadream · 07-03-2016 02:23PM

its one of those things that some people care about and some dont.

I work in HR and while I wouldnt think of sacking you straight away i know the way these things can go,

I'd view it long term:

1: are you bugging people who are on time and early even that have worked here for a while and think your taking liberties.

2: is it a sign of something else, sickness, trouble at home, laziness, attitude to work (do you not really want to be there)

3. is it effecting the business: apart from how I view you (personally I think being late shows disrespect but that's a personal view) and how other staff view you above 1. Are you not meeting customers on time, is it your time management, organisation skills or interest in the role. are you getting your work done on time and in the right way.

Unfortunately its common for companies to use your timekeeping as the reason to let you go during your probation if they dont like the cut of you, if your making ab ad impression or if they think your not going to work out.

To be harsh about it if your manager is like some of the ones i've worked with they will view you as:

lazy, couldn't give a fcuk, poor attitude to work and un-organised. How effectively you do the actual role might not come into it because they will pick on you not being at your desk when you should be.

on a more positive note: your manager might also not care.

your probation is to show you can do the role and fit in with the company.

Try to make up the time you are late.

One thing i would as and this is total personal: you didnt mention how late you are- strolling in at 9:02 is one thing but strolling in at 9:15 etc is taking the mickey.
FYI Id prefer to see someone sprinting in to their desk late then strolling in with a cup of starbucks late.

Best of luck with it.

Can they let me go?

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