Reply to: Contractor Time Keeping Query

[stek]

Contractor Time Keeping Query

is this discussion still going on?????? hmmmm

Helps to fill in the nine mins for the OP!

[rurffy]

is this discussion still going on?????? hmmmm

[TheFaQQer]

LOL. Might have been OK if he'd left it until 15-52 to leave ;-)

Got visions of OP sitting there waiting for the second hand to hit 12 o clock at 15-51 precisely.

When I did a summer job for ICI in Germany, the clock for the timecard machine ticked round every 6 minutes (because the hour was divided into 10 for some reason!).

I used to clock in at 0905 and out at 1655 so that I clocked the maximum day for the minimum effort

[Normie]

2. Coming at 8am and leaving at 4pm is a luxury. I have only seen that gig with people who do shifts in support, and even then it is one day every fortnight on a rota with early or late support. Doing what you are doing now as time everyday is splendid luxury for most people who have no choice to commit to full time job and part time job and surviving on a basic minimum wage. Your situation sounds absurd and you show your manager a distinct lack of respect, empathy and gratitude.

I've been working 8am til 4pm for the last 7 years - leave home at 7.30am, usually back to make the kids tea by 4.30pm. I totally agree - it is indeed a luxury, and for which I am very grateful.

[psychocandy]

I think that's different PC. Nothing wrong with making yourself available to your customer. The OP is fcked IMHO.

LOL. Might have been OK if he'd left it until 15-52 to leave ;-)

Got visions of OP sitting there waiting for the second hand to hit 12 o clock at 15-51 precisely.

[billybiro]

My tuppence is that if you're being picked up on timekeeping or you are worried that you need to be seen early/late, then you are simply not delivering.

Time to move somewhere new, you've been busted.

Possible, but not necessarily always the case.

Remember that some clients (and the managers you'll work with within them) are more used to the "permie" way of life (and judgement) whereby often presenteeism trumps any and all ability to deliver.

If you're delivering on your contract, but are still being picked up on time-keeping, you almost certainly are in this situation.

[Pondlife]

I think that's different PC. Nothing wrong with making yourself available to your customer. The OP is fcked IMHO.

[psychocandy]

My tuppence is that if you're being picked up on timekeeping or you are worried that you need to be seen early/late, then you are simply not delivering.

Time to move somewhere new, you've been busted.

True enough. Not so much that its just I find that a lot of people want things done towards the end of the day.

[Pondlife]

My tuppence is that if you're being picked up on timekeeping or you are worried that you need to be seen early/late, then you are simply not delivering.

Time to move somewhere new, you've been busted.

[eek]

Must admit though it always seems to be the case, come in early and no bugger notices, but go home at 4 and everyone thinks you're a skiving dog.

These days I tend not to rush my nuts off to get in early because I know at 5-25pm someone will want to urgently discuss something for 30-40 mins and I'll be stuck there anyway.

It depends on the culture of the company. The last clientco was the reverse everyone noticed what time you arrived no one was around to see when you left.

[psychocandy]

Must admit though it always seems to be the case, come in early and no bugger notices, but go home at 4 and everyone thinks you're a skiving dog.

These days I tend not to rush my nuts off to get in early because I know at 5-25pm someone will want to urgently discuss something for 30-40 mins and I'll be stuck there anyway.

[rocktronAMP]

Hi all,

This is my first post so I am hoping someone can answer my question....

This morning I got pulled into a meeting room by my manager screaming at me because my timesheet was incorrect and he threatened to not sign another until I sorted out my time keeping.

Basically the hours I do are 08:00 and leave work at 16:00 but I log off my laptop at 15:51 everyday and am out the office just before 16:00. The thing is I work for a large company and the actual building is massive so I am still "on-site" within my hours.

He has complained that I am leaving too early and gone loopy over it.

Can someone advise if I am right or is right?

Thanks for any help on this.

I hate clock watchers from the other side, the management. I think you are at fault though. You have take the right attitude in a contract especially in this bad economy. It is about giving value, so it moving slightly more to a consultant.


1. Why not do as the Romans do, when in Rome? I have personally witnessed a bas****d **** control freak manager and the culture of presentee-ism, workaholic-ism and bunker down mentality that was spread to the entire team of 25 odd people, who expected and regularly put in 9-12 hours of work at an investment bank. Unfortunately I was working as employed consultant at the time not as a contractor and the working time was 8:30AM to 6:45PM tough and it was a long story ... Your situation is peanuts compared my ex (See 3)

2. Coming at 8am and leaving at 4pm is a luxury. I have only seen that gig with people who do shifts in support, and even then it is one day every fortnight on a rota with early or late support. Doing what you are doing now as time everyday is splendid luxury for most people who have no choice to commit to full time job and part time job and surviving on a basic minimum wage. Your situation sounds absurd and you show your manager a distinct lack of respect, empathy and gratitude.

3. Why the bloody heck did you not ask about this at the interview time before accepting the offer of a contract?

4. Are you picking up kids from school or something? You probably need invest in helpers / neighbours / grandparents you can take the little one(s) to school and therefore you get into work 7:30 and still. You're a flaming contractor earning more than a permie so pay Granny £25 the bill a week to help you with the kids.

5. How long is this contract? If it three months or less then it is not a long time in your career life. Either put up or shut up and just deal.

6. I am sorry that your manager is shouting at you, but (1) you need to show empathy there. Work the ************ time that you signed up to do!!!!!

[SueEllen]

Then again, if I had train to catch etc then I could see how you'd have to be out of the door at a certain time mind. Or if it was a long drive home then I'd be less keen to stay for extra 30 mins. As it is, even if I leave at 6-30 I'm still home before 7 so not so much an issue. Leaving 6-30 and getting home after 8 or so would be an annoyance I agree.

In that situation you would come in earlier.

Or make a point of one day a week staying longer.

[psychocandy]

Hmmm. I never clockwatch and always end up working slightly more than the hours. But with PWD its always a bit vague.

But, the important thing is I work a little extra if I want to. If someone tells me to do more hours they can sod off then. Also, if they get a few extra hours a week out of me then I dont expect whining when I come in 9-30 or so one or two days for whatever reason.

Then again, if I had train to catch etc then I could see how you'd have to be out of the door at a certain time mind. Or if it was a long drive home then I'd be less keen to stay for extra 30 mins. As it is, even if I leave at 6-30 I'm still home before 7 so not so much an issue. Leaving 6-30 and getting home after 8 or so would be an annoyance I agree.

[billybiro]

Throughout my working life, i have always been a doormat. This means I can get in, make a cup of tea, check emails allow the client to exploit me like i'm it's little b*tch. Plus gives me a bit of slack if i am stuck in traffic or the trains are delayed, so i can continue to brown-nose the management and no one questions me leaving promptly at 5.

I know many on here will say i'm not getting paid for the extra time, but allowing myself to be exploited and taken advantage of are things that i pride myself on and helps to be remembered as a weak yes-man for each client i have worked for,

FTFY.