Dilemma

[omega]

Now don't get me wrong, I am WELL chuffed about being back in work after 5.5 months on the bench, and even more chuffed about earning again, oh and it's 23 mins from home

Role is 6 months temp to perm. After many, many organisational changes no one here cares any more. The rest of my team (5 others) roll in at least 5-10 mins late every day and go home on time or early. They generally don't talk to each other at all during the day, and mostly don't seem to particularly like each other, none of this particularly bothers me as I'm used to just getting my head down and getting on with it.

I wasn't given any work to do on starting, so took the job description and hints I'd picked up in the interview and then built myself a workplan which I then showed the team manager, he just said 'thats fine'. Is that typical, as I'd have thought that when paying a contractor a business would really want to get some value out of the deal ?

Now the contract is supposed to be 39 hours per week, but the site all finish at 12:30 on a Friday after doing 8.5 hours Mon to Thu (30 min lunch), which adds up to a 38.5 hour week. I discussed this with the team leader and he said 'oh just stick on your timesheet that you finished at 1:00pm, but go home at 12:30 with the rest of us' , am I asking for trouble doing this ? should I just stick to the proper hours ? He's the one who authorises my timesheets, and it is a temp to perm role, but surely it's a bit risky claiming for an extra 30 mins each week ?

Finally good luck to anyone on the bench at the moment, keep at it !!

Do I get some kind of award for one of the longest posts ever ?

[SizeZero]

He's the one who authorises my timesheets

There is your answer.

[zamzummim]

If the boss is OK with it, then where is the dilemma, surely you work extra time here and the, and it all adds up. I fnot just work the extra 5 minutes every day... or work the extra half an hour from home!!

[JoJoGabor]

Sounds like public sector. THey really don't give two hoots, its only our tax money that makes up their budget - they can always increase taxes if they need more budget to go home earlier!

[northernladuk]

Now the contract is supposed to be 39 hours per week, but the site all finish at 12:30 on a Friday after doing 8.5 hours Mon to Thu (30 min lunch), which adds up to a 38.5 hour week. I discussed this with the team leader and he said 'oh just stick on your timesheet that you finished at 1:00pm, but go home at 12:30 with the rest of us' , am I asking for trouble doing this ? should I just stick to the proper hours ? He's the one who authorises my timesheets, and it is a temp to perm role, but surely it's a bit risky claiming for an extra 30 mins each week ?

Now personally I would be careful here. He MIGHT be the boss so if he says sign your sheet for 1 and bugger off 30 mins early. Because he is the boss however he is also accountable for you all so when the sh*t hits the fan he is gonna cover his ass whatever it takes. If it takes a quite word in his bosses ear to point out your a timewatching waster that is nicking off early I am dam sure he will. I will also gaurantee in that situation he WILL NOT admit to saying go home 30 mins early.

So your predicament is... you duck 30 mins a week cause your boss says its ok like that time is going to greatly improve your life OR you make it up somehow like come in 10 mins early in a morning, get a coffee, a paper and go for a sh*t or something.

Personally I would work the time to the minute, if not more. Get yourself a reputation first. Be the solid reliable type in a sea of wasters. Get in 10 mins early, be the first face everyone sees. Work will 12.45 after they have all gone and be the last one in the office. Do that for a few weeks, get reputation and then slide back in to bad and contract breaking habits.

I mean.. its 30 mins a week

Another thing to consider as well. You are a company not a resource. If you fall in to line with what they do, including their bad pracices your inviting IR35. Work your own times, not theirs. If IR ever come sniffing the boss can honestly say you don't confirm to their hours which helps. If he says yes he does exactly what the permies do your buggered.

[Zippy]

I'd work the time as per the signed timesheet.

[Muttley08]

I'd chill out, as long as the work is getting done, don't rock the boat - most of the public sector operate like this - they all hate their jobs, but won't leave coz of their pensions and the easy life they have at the moment.

[omega]

Thanks guys.

It's not public sector, it's a very prestigious manafacturing company (hence the 12:30 Friday finish).

I do arrive 5-10 mins early every day, so I'm tempted to stay slightly after 12:30 and claim the full 39 hours. Technically my arse will be covered if they really want to argue it at some point in the future.

Cheers,

Omega