American Workday, out of touch?

[PHeller]

This is poll/topic, so vote and share your opinion.

I'm working a 4 week temporary job as a sub-contractor. Basically that means I get no benefits, get net checks (no deductions made on behalf of the general contractor) and generally put my body on the line for decent money.

This morning, I was a bit late to work, due to the fact that my girlfriend woke me up at 2am to tell me she had gotten drunk and needed someplace to crash.

The general contractor was a bit pissed at this, but to me, I don't understand the big deal.

In past jobs, I've had lax employers who didn't care much about the time you clocked in so much as you put in your required hours.

I've had others who required me to be early, but I didn't get much thanks for staying late.

So what do you think, does the traditional American workday of 8-4:30 or 9:00am-5:00pm need to be changed?

Should employers be more flexible to allow for a more rested and motivated workforce?

[aprophetofone]

absolutely if i could work from 10-6 i would be the happiest person alive. 10-6 has better benefits than 9-5, 1: you beat traffic, 2: an extra hour of sleep is always appreciated 3: nothing happens from 5-7 anyways, 4: you only catch the tail end of the 5 rush hour(s).

so yeah id like to work either a 10-6 or 7:30-3:30 shift

[koihoshi]

just because one employer is lax doesn't mean they all are that way.

see it from a manager perspective and suddenly it all changes.

You say: "Hey, i'm only a couple minutes late, it's fine."
Your manager says: "You need to be here on time."
you say: "I'll make up the hours."

From your perspective you are saying i'm sorry i missed that time, i'll make it up. Your perspective is disputing that you are able to make up the shift as you missed a few minutes on time.

From a manager's perspective being on time is a consistency thing. You cannot let one employee be lax on it and then be strict with the others. Then you have to be lax with everyone. There is where different employers enforce things differently. One may not care as long as you make up the time, perhaps that's their thing. However, for an employer who believes in consistency at the clock, being on time every day is a must. It's generally handled through a term known as "progressive disclipline" where an employer will coach one person on something such as being late, then they address it with everyone for fairness and consistency. The thought is that if you don't keep consistent, you're unable to hold up that type of discipline. However, this also means if they hold everyone accountable that also means that someone they would normally be lax with means that they must now coach them, write them up, or warn them if something gets out of balance.

I have had employees under me do this with patterns of being late. If i coach one i have to coach the team. however, in my eyes, if you're handling customers, it's a work ethic thing and a choice to be on time. if you aren't willing to make the choice to be at work on time, you aren't too worried about your position as there is alway someone out there who wants a job worse than you do.

if an employee is out sick and they have a doctor note, ok excused. if they start being sick and no doctor note, we'll talk. if they're late or miss work because of the actions of something they could say no to and weren't willing to be on time, that's a choice thing.

in the end, i think he was justified in being upset at you. you were late to work because your girlfriend got drunk and came over to sleep at your place. you weren't to work on time because of this. either because you wanted to sleep in or you were too tired. this is not his problem. he has a business to run. a well rested and well motivated work force is understandable, however, it makes no sense to tell your employees:

"If your girlfriend is partying and drunk the night before and needs to sleep at your place, that's cool, we will let you come to work late as long as you sleep in and are only a few minutes late to work, just make sure you're ready for work!"

Just trying to make a point: A business is a business. A job is a job. Leave the personal stuff at the door, be on time, it's good work ethic. Your employer was justified for being angry as you didn't have a doctor note for your girlfriend being drunk which was not only a choice on her part, but not even anywhere close to their fault.

i personally enjoy 4-10 shifts. However, my new job requires me to work five 8 hour days from tuesday till saturday.

i don't think it's the "typical american job" thing, because every job at every employer may vary.

[1981gMachine]

I work 8-5 Mon-Fri and also 2nd Job 6-9:15 Mon, Wed, Thur, Sat 9-4 and Sun 9-2

I would prefer starting early and getting off work sooner. I have a 5min drive to work, so this would give me some free time in between jobs and an early start to my off nights. I can't thou, cuz my 1st job boss says I need to be there when the shop is open. Mainly cuz I handle pretty much everything and they are somewhat lost without me.

[ilarson007]

Ya know, I don't really think it matters to me, but I want to work during the day (just a normal 8-5; 1 hour for lunch) but the most important thing is that my schedule is SET. None of this changing it every single week shit (like when you worked part time in high school; that's me atm). I just want a set schedule so I can plan way ahead for other things I want to do.

[JC'szx2]

what no over night options fts no vote here

[CraZx2ing]

I work 2nd shift, 3pm-11pm. I would love to switch to 4 10's. Right now we are working 5 10's and I’m not getting paid overtime.

I am a manager of a good amount of people at a very large company. I start my day with a shift meeting with all of my people. If you are late to work then you are late to my meeting and you are disrespecting me, my meeting, your job, the company, and your coworkers.

If you are late 1 or 2 times with out calling first or having a valid excuse, I would coach you and remind you of the attendance policy.
If you are late 3 times, I will write you up.
4 times a final written warning.
5th time, I will fire you.

I do not have the time or patience to deal with people who do not have enough respect to show up to work on time. Currently, I have 0 people on my team with tardies. I nip it in the bud and they straighten right up.

In the economy we have now now, it is VERY easy to find someone that is willing to work hard and come on time. I would much rather get rid of you and hire someone that is going to follow the rules. Everyone is replaceable.

One of the problems with America is that the latest generations just don’t care enough to take responsibility for themselves and their actions. They think everything is a hand out and they deserve a break.

[capitalcrew]

Mornings blow.

[powder]

3 12's 4:30pm-5am isn't on the list. I opt out of the poll.

[SoCalZX2]

3 12's 7am-730pm isn't on the poll either... so I opt out lol. (but my ideal shift is 5am - 2pm mon - fri w/ an hour of unpaid lunch)

As for those that "don't care" about being on time... You have a scheduled start time, that you agreed to upon accepting said job offer... It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out they want you there at that time.

[PHeller]

It's not the being on time that annoys me.

I can understand that "if one person does it they can't all do it" theory.

However, its America's set in stone 9-5 philosphy that gets to me. The whole world doesn't revolve around 9-5.

Not just that, but I think I'd rather hire people who want to be at work, whether they are working late or coming in early. I think I could understand if people are morning people.

That's not to say I would accept a lack of tardiness daily, but I think I'd give my employees a given schedule that may have a few different start times.

[slammmed]

I think koihosi is right.

IMO it's about WHAT your job is. If you are a contractor, and you are working with other people, a foreman wants his guys to work as a team effeciently.

Me on the other hand im a software developer who works with a "team" which translates to me doing my own projects solely. If I show up late its no big deal unless I miss a meeting. It IS however an issue if im late during prime production use hours if something goes wrong. My boss doesnt wanna hear "I'll be in the office in 10 minutes" when a server is down.

[DOUGIESTYL]

I'm promoting 4- 10 hour days, at this time of year, when we've been cut to 40 hrs, to my boss (he's open to it next week.) When we get back into OT season, I'm gonna see about 4-12hrs days. Three day weekends FTZ! :chili:

[LunchBoxZX2]

I am usually in the office by 8am and gone by 5 or 5:30pm. I have to be here during market hours (8:30am to 3:00pm central) and sometimes I am known to come in early or stay an hour or two later than normal depending on client meetings and such.

It really depends on your line of work, but I do agree that America as a whole has the whole idea of corporate hours twisted. People can get things done without conforming to rediculous hours and lack of (in some cases) benefits and such. I'd much prefer a day where I come into the office around 9am, work until about noon, leave for a couple hours and work until about 7pm or so. I believe that corporate America is contributing a lot to the stress and overall disconnected feeling a lot of Americans suffer from. I'm of the mentality that if you're there for important events and you job is done then you have done well, regardless of how many hours you worked in a given day or week.

I do understand that some businesses and some trades and lines of work need to opeate on a tight and efficiently maintained schedule and that's fine. I also, however, think it's wrong for every company to expect that because others are doing it. The mental well-being of your employees carries much more weight than your projected sales or earnings reports. None of that matters when no one wants to work for you.

[CraZx2ing]

I agree it depends on what you are doing. If you are salary i doubt anyone is going to say something about you being 5 minutes late. Most of the salaried people in my office come in early and stay late. I personally come in 10 minutes early and stay 10 minutes late. I'm a firm believer in getting your job done on time, correctly, and not needing to stay all hours of the night. I very rarely procrastinate at work.

If you are hourly (like my people) I'm all over you for being late... My company also has multiple shifts of 8, 10, and/or 12 hours starting at 3am, 5am, 7am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm for the hourly people. I am also willing to make some exceptions such as for the guy that is scheduled at 3, but can't make it in cause he has to get his kids, etc. I'll work with my peeps as long as they are honest and keep me informed about whats up... can't really put a clear thought together right now, the wife is telling me to get ready for work so i'm not late LOL.

[DOUGIESTYL]

I agree it depends on what you are doing. If you are salary i doubt anyone is going to say something about you being 5 minutes late. Most of the salaried people in my office come in early and stay late. I personally come in 10 minutes early and stay 10 minutes late. I'm a firm believer in getting your job done on time, correctly, and not needing to stay all hours of the night. I very rarely procrastinate at work.

If you are hourly (like my people) I'm all over you for being late... My company also has multiple shifts of 8, 10, and/or 12 hours starting at 3am, 5am, 7am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm for the hourly people. I am also willing to make some exceptions such as for the guy that is scheduled at 3, but can't make it in cause he has to get his kids, etc. I'll work with my peeps as long as they are honest and keep me informed about whats up... can't really put a clear thought together right now, the wife is telling me to get ready for work so i'm not late LOL.

Last sentence= LOL!

[zxtwou2]

when i was in the coast guard on the ship, inport hours were 6am til 1-2pm...it was nice getting off in the afternoon, but waking up at 5 sucked. the most comfortable shift i've worked so far is 3rd shift...from 11pm til 7am. it's the only time i can go to sleep, and wake up not feeling dizzy, sick, groggy, etc. but if i had it any way at all...it'd be 4/10's. that leaves 3 days of weekend. i figure i'm at work 8 hours...what's 2 more? i've already wasted most of the day being at work...and 10 hour shifts would save me another day of traveling to work.


and 3 weekend nights of drinking FTW.

[JC'szx2]

i work 7 ish to 3:30 ish i put in my 8 hours a day M-F and the boss never complains, if im late i work over or skip my lunch, if i need to leave early i come in early and usually skip lunch. no time cards, no clock punching, no badge swiping. my hours very with my formans permission. its just me and another guy on the job site

[Ivyleaguezx2]

I currently work 5 days a week, starting at 5am, generally leaving work between 4pm-530pm. it will change soon though, and I will work 4 days one week, 6 days the next alternating with the other supervisor.

[Exodia]

I work 10:30am - 6:30pm. It has alot of advantages i'll tell ya that, can stay up, and sleep in. But when I need to get something done, everything is open my work hours. I would much rather work 8-4