Working hours

[expat]

What is normally considered to be "hours" worked?

Is the time between your arrival at the building to the desk considered to be part of the working hours or is it legally excluded?

This brings up a lot of legal questions, I believe, in case - let's say - you get stopped at the reception by the security guard or the lift isn't working or when you are in an office which takes about 10 minutes to reach (does it mean 20 minutes have to be given for free?). So if you are at 9 in the office but for reasons outside your will you reach the desk at 9.30 can the employer say that you are late?

Do you mean to say you have a contract that requires you to be at work from 9, but doesn't define what "being at work" is?

[mcquiggd]

At my shop we have swipe cards which we have for time keeping... and the system automatically deducts 30 minutes for lunch even if you work through it.... it even flags it as a 'transgression' if you dont swipe out while sitting at your desk working over lunch - covering their arse I guess while also saving money.

The project managers work a slow week - arrive at 9, off as soon as the timeclock shows 4pm ... the other permies are often working 40+ with no overtime... many are there 2 hours after their bosses buggered off and they write off flexi time every month.

I feel a bit guilty as myself and several other contractors simply put in time sheets showing the full time we were on site, working, and ignore their rules.. and we are all paid for that. The permies, who are actually a decent bunch, get screwed more than we do.

[swamp]

Most contracts are paid by the day. My rule is anything over three hours worked is a full day, otherwise 1/2 a day.

And by 'worked' I mean sitting at the desk.

[Francko]

Francko, that's honestly the sort of question that only a permie would ask.

Think you need to get out a bit more, go down the pub with some well paid contractors and learn about flexible time-keeping...

I am curious Joe and actually I think this concerns contractors too as most of the managers/employers wants to make sure that they exploit every single minute of them.

A well paid permie job is more of a doom than a bless, trust me, Joe.

[Francko]

i dont start before 9am - and i make sure i'm leaving by 4pm - but i do get paid by the hour and i dont have a lunch break (well maybe 10 mins to heat up my 'soup')

Yes, but 9am/4pm at the door or at your desk?

[Joe Black]

Francko, that's honestly the sort of question that only a permie would ask.

Think you need to get out a bit more, go down the pub with some well paid contractors and learn about flexible time-keeping...

[Francko]

I think it matters not what time you spend at your place of work, but merely WHAT TANGIBLE BENEFIT YOU BRING to the company.

Huh? What are you talking about? I am a permie, I don't have any of those problems at the moment.

[Chappo]

i dont start before 9am - and i make sure i'm leaving by 4pm - but i do get paid by the hour and i dont have a lunch break (well maybe 10 mins to heat up my 'soup')

[DimPrawn]

I think it matters not what time you spend at your place of work, but merely WHAT TANGIBLE BENEFIT YOU BRING to the company.

[Francko]

Start time? Hours worked? Employer? Late?

Sorry, don't understand the concepts you are discussing...

If you arrive at 9am in the building and reach your desk at 9.04 am can the employer state you are late for work? And if you leave at 5.27 pm to leave the building at 5.30pm can the employer say that you still have to do 3 minutes of work?

[malvolio]

Start time? Hours worked? Employer? Late?

Sorry, don't understand the concepts you are discussing...

[Francko]

What is normally considered to be "hours" worked?

Is the time between your arrival at the building to the desk considered to be part of the working hours or is it legally excluded?

This brings up a lot of legal questions, I believe, in case - let's say - you get stopped at the reception by the security guard or the lift isn't working or when you are in an office which takes about 10 minutes to reach (does it mean 20 minutes have to be given for free?). So if you are at 9 in the office but for reasons outside your will you reach the desk at 9.30 can the employer say that you are late?