Rigid Work Schedule 1

[Lion06]

I wanted to get a quick poll from users. I currently work for a large Structural Engineering Firm that affords me the opportunity to work on many interesting jobs and be exposed to all aspects of structural engineering. I love everything about my job except for the work hours.
Our office hours are 8:30 - 5:30 and other than coming in at 8 and leaving at 5, there isn't much flexibility in the hours. I can, of course, leave if I have something to take care of at home, but I would love to come in at 7-7:30 and leave at 4:30. Other places I have worked have had much more flexibility in the schedule. At my last place of employment, I routinely went in at 6:30 and left aroun 4.
There are several factors that contribute to my wanting different hours, not the least of which is my commute. If I could work earlier, I would shave about 15-20 off of my drive each way.
What is the norm out there as far as work hours go and flexibility?

 

[JeremyBraggPE]

My company is very flexible about when we come and go and where we do the work.

 

[JMirisola]

My company is also very flexible. I work 5-2 each day strictly because of my commute (30 miles each way). The traffic around here sucks so by keeping the hours that I do, I manage to miss the heavy volumes. It also makes me a much happier (read: productive) employee.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP2.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2GB RAM, nVidia 2500M

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

 

[CanuckMiner]

Official hours here are 8 to 5, but there are many options an hour or two either side of that. Of course, there are meetings, teleconferences, etc. and some are in other time zones so some flexibility is expected both ways (i.e. by employer and employee).

MYerges, have you been told that you cannot come in and leave earlier? Have you asked?

Cheers,
CanuckMiner

 

[ewh]

The company at which I work is not so flexible on this. We are supposed to be in the office between 8 and 5 unless there are extenuating circumstances. What really gets my goat is one particular long time employee who still comes in sometime around 9:30 or 10 (never the same time day-to-day). Notices have been sent out to everyone about the company rules, but he is still here (or maybe not, he could have left early).
Other than the longer commute time, these hours are fine with me, and if I feel like coming in earlier or staying later, I do get compensated for it.

 

[Lion06]

Canuck Miner-
I haven't asked about switching my hours. There was mention of this during a meeting about 4 months ago (that office hours are until 5:30). I have been reluctant to ask because I have been here for only about 8 months and I haven't heard any grumblings from other employees. I haven't really asked others about it yet, but thought it would come up from time to time if people were unhappy about it.

 

[FACS]

The only problem with flex hours that vary too wide is this:
When you need to talk to someone, you need to talk to them now. It helps to have everyone in place at the same time. Projects can loose momentum when too many people scatter the hours.

Charlie

http://www.facsco.com

 

[mechmama]

I've worked for a large firm and medium firm with flex time ranging from 6:30-3:30 up to 9:30-6:30. However, it seems if the company does not have a flex time policy, you're stuck with the hours they give you unless you want to come in earlier AND leave later. Who wants to be the jerk leaving at 4:30 while everyone else gives him dirty looks? I think you would be better off to start getting some support to approach management about flex time for everyone.

 

[sms]

One of the main reasons I took my current job is that the work hours are flexible. I work at home a couple days a week, and otherwise come in at 6 and leave by 4. This works well with my commute, plus I do a good bit of work with people in Europe and it makes it convienient to work with them. We also work a 9-8-0 schedule so I get every other Friday off.

-The future's so bright I gotta wear shades!

 

[cvg]

I would not attempt to try and change the company policy, since you are a newbie this would probably be ignored. However, you should be able to have a frank conversation with your direct supervisor and find out if he will be flexible.

 

[aardvarkdw]

Many larger companies tend to be strict as to the hours that their employees work (i.e. B@3ing), though some departments inforce this less than others. At the company I work for, I could come in at 3:00am if I wanted to but they would expect me to be available for meetings and such. I routinly come in at 6:00-6:30AM and leave between 3:00-4:00PM even though our official hours are 8:00AM-5:00PM.

David

 

[sms]

As a parallel question, if the nominal work hours are 8:30 to 5:30 I wonder if MYerges might be looked at as a slacker if he/she leaves earlier than 5:30. Even if the boss says it is ok. In some offices if you don't stay 30 minutes to an hour past quitting time you are considered a slacker.

-The future's so bright I gotta wear shades!

 

[Heckler]

We have core work hours of 0900 - 1500 hours. As long as we meet those core hours it's flexible. For example, I buzz out of the office on Mondays at 1500 hrs for a mtn bike ride in the foothills. I have it on my calendar and make up the hours during the week. I've worked at places that were very rigid and it's not fun. I tend to work more hours because of the flexibility. Sometimes my wife calls asking me when I coming home

Best Regards,

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SWx 2007 SP 2.0 & Pro/E 2001
Dell Precision 370
P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400
o
_`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

(In reference to David Beckham) "He can't kick with his left foot, he can't tackle, he can't head the ball and he doesn't score many goals. Apart from that, he'

 

[HDS]

Are the lights on and the doors open earlier? At some places it is the opening and closing of the office that controls things.

My place is flexible as long as you meet core hours and you can change everyday. I know other places that are flexible only if you are the same everyday.

 

[ProbaSci]

During my first evaluation at a true "industry" job, I was told my work was great, my performance was great, but I wouldn't get an above average raise because my hours (7:30 - 4:00 w/ half hour lunch at my desk - approved by mngmnt) were causing grumbling amoung others who saw me leave early. I told the boss that it seemed the others had too much time on their hands if they were watching when I came and went but that didn't get me any more $$$.

http://www.probasci.com

-
Implantable FEA for medical device manufacturers

 

[Heckler]

Our Manufacturing group is here at 0500 hrs so the facilities are up and running long before I get here. But we have key cards that let us in the controled entrances.

My hours are totally flexible and anything outside of the core hours I just e-mail or call my boss. I meet all my deadlines and show the highest level of productivity so I don't get questioned. It helps that my boss in not a micro-manager. Although, a designer got caught "fudging" his hours and now has to e-mail my boss when he comes in, leaves for lunch, comes back from lunch and leaves for the day. His next step is out the door if he does it again.

Best Regards,

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SWx 2007 SP 2.0 & Pro/E 2001
Dell Precision 370
P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400
o
_`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

(In reference to David Beckham) "He can't kick with his left foot, he can't tackle, he can't head the ball and he doesn't score many goals. Apart from that, he'

 

[Lion06]

HDS-
The admin staff is usually in between 8 and 8:30. We all have keys to the building and our office (mostly so we can get in on the weekend if we need to), so it is not a matter of the office physically being open.

ProbaSci-
I just have my 6-month review about a month ago (it was a month late), and I was told that my work was great and they were very pleased with me. Much other praise was thrown around...... but no need to bore you with that. I don't get a raise until my 1-year review, so it will be interesting to see how that goes.

All-
Has anyone brought up or initiated the flextime or was it in place when you started there?

 

[Heckler]

We officially work 8.5 hours a day Mon-Thur and 6 hours on Friday. That was set up with the State of California so it's official. Their was a movement here about six months ago for a 4-10 schedule but that got shot down because of the approval process with the State.

Best Regards,

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SWx 2007 SP 2.0 & Pro/E 2001
Dell Precision 370
P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400
o
_`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

(In reference to David Beckham) "He can't kick with his left foot, he can't tackle, he can't head the ball and he doesn't score many goals. Apart from that, he'

 

[JStephen]

Our hours have forever been the same unchanging hours. But when I moved to where I was 35 miles away, I asked about coming & going an hour earlier & it it was no problem. People that lived closer didn't care one way or the other.

 

[KENAT]

Officially my place is fairly strict.

In practice my direct manager is extremely flexible, most weeks I work 4 x 10 hour days, actually closer to 1x10, 2x11.5 and 1x 7. Somedays in before 6, somedays as late as 7:30.

Of course if I'm not here when I'm needed...

Loading up the front of the week actually can work quite well. Often if means I can get more done at the beginning of the week, give it to people to review Thursday pm & Friday then come in on Monday and complete it. Of course if everyone worked my schedule this wouldnt' work anymore!