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laurafmcdermott
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« on: July 31, 2008, 04:40:19 pm » |
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We have just gone here to a flex schedule. Our normal hours were 8am to 5pm with an hour lunch. We now have the option to start work between 7:30 and 8:30 am and can work five days or four days with an hour or half hour lunch, as long as we are working full 40 hours.
This is my first week. I have elected to work Tuesday through Friday, 7:30 am to 6:00 pm. So far I love it. Although my gas savings on Monday was negated by needing to drive for a doctor's appointment, I had a wonderful full day with my children. It takes a lot more preparation to have quick-cook dinners and packed lunches for all of us for the days I am working extended hours, but I really think in the long run it will be worth it (until, that is, I can work from home!).
Anyone else working flex schedules? Have you come across any downside?
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gee4
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« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2008, 05:24:36 pm » |
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Laura,
That sounds great. It's a shame more companies don't bring in this system. I guess the reason is exactly what you have said above - that we will work all our hours in 4 days and have the 5th day off. I understand for some companies it doesn't work but does a PA really need to be in the office 5 days a week?
Enjoy and make the most of it - you are extremely lucky.
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dettu
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« Reply #2 on: July 31, 2008, 06:38:54 pm » |
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My most recent job (the brief one with the layoff) had an unusual schedule--7:45-5:00 with a half hour for lunch and then everyone left at 12:30 on Fridays. It sounded heavenly, but it never worked well for me. For starters, they gave so little time off that I ended up having to work extra hours on Fridays to make up missed time for doctor appointments etc. Also, I often use lunch hours to run those errands we must do during business hours (post office, bank, etc.) and 30 minutes wasn't long enough--and there were not many places nearby the office to have lunch so it wasn't long enough to eat. Everyone ended up eating at their desks, and it was such a disgusting environment that I hated eating there!
My current job is 8-4, half hour for lunch every day. It's easier not having to work around the flex Friday because everyone is always available at the same time.I do eat at my desk most days; if I'm going out for lunch, I'll come in 15-30 minutes early that day to make up the time.
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Cathy S
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« Reply #3 on: August 01, 2008, 08:56:59 am » |
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Hi Laura
I am really lucky - the team I work with all work unusual and very fluid hours (academic research dept) and so as long as I do the work so do I.
Recently I had six weeks of working half office half at home and spending time with my family (two large dogs) was the best bit about that.
I often work a little bit from home on evenings and weekends and then I take the time back if I need a little longer at lunch for errands, etc.
It works well for all of us and I guess because we are a small team no one takes advantage.
If I was changing job, flexibile working would be probably the top deciding factor on my list, but like you my aim is to work from home, preferably for myself, with the current timescale to achieve this being in 18 months time.
Good luck with the flex Schedule and enjoy Mondays
Cathy
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mlm668
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« Reply #4 on: August 05, 2008, 03:51:16 pm » |
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We are on summer hours right now - 4 9's and 4 on Friday. I work 8-5:30 and 8 to 12 on Fridays. Being as this is our slow season, I'm having a really hard time with the schedule (especially this year). I could work 5 8's but with the office being all but abandoned by noon on Fridays, that's not all that appealing either. I must say I miss the days of 8-5 with an hour for lunch - especially since I lived less than 5 minutes from the office and was able to go home for lunch everyday. Now I only have 30 minutes and like Dettu, by the time I get out the gate to the car, I've used 5 minutes already. Factor in drive time to pick up something and by the time you get back, your time is up and you end up eating at your desk same as if you brought lunch. My paranoid side says this is a scam by the employer to have you available to work through lunch (you can bet if you're at your desk, someone will stop and ask for something) without having to pay you that extra 30 minutes that you're supposed to have to eat. Saves them 2.5 hours of OT per employee a week that eats at their desk and is interrupted with questions and work that needs to be done "RIGHT NOW". Michelle  |
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geminigirl
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« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2008, 04:11:23 pm » |
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I haven't worked flexi hours per se ever but at one place I worked (which was regular 9 - 5 with one hour for lunch) the boss decided he wanted to finish early on Fridays...
As it was a very small company - 5 office staff and one in the warehouse - the decision was quickly made to work Monday - Thursday 8.30 - 5 (with an hour for lunch) and Fridays was 9 - 2, with no lunch. It was bliss, starting every weekend at 2pm!
I've never worked anywhere else where flexi hours were allowed. Where I am now we have "core hours" of 10 - 4 when you have to be at your post but then we can work around. Most of the other office staff do 8.30 - 4.30 but it just killed me getting up at 6.15 each day. My boss tends to work at home for a couple of hours before coming into the office so it suits her, too, for me to do 9.30 - 5.30 - and that way I miss a good part of the "rush hour".
Slightly off-topic but it kind of fits in ... what's the usual working week for you all? When I first started work (back in the last century!) standard for me was a 35 hour week which slowly increased as I moved jobs to a 37 1/2 hour week. Now it's back to a 35hour week which, I have to say, suits me so much better! Oh, and with an hour for lunch...
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lucie33
Newbie
Posts: 32
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« Reply #6 on: August 06, 2008, 06:48:52 pm » |
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I work part time, to fit with home commitments, but I think a full working week works out at 37 1/2 hours.
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dettu
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« Reply #7 on: August 06, 2008, 08:02:11 pm » |
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Gemini, most of the jobs I've had are 40 hours, but this one is 37.5. I had one other job with 37.5 and you wouldn't think an extra 2.5 hours in your week could add so much to your quality of life--but it really, really does. Getting off this much earlier just makes life soooo much easier.
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spitfire78
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« Reply #8 on: August 06, 2008, 08:56:59 pm » |
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I was 40 hours for more years than I care to count  . I was promoted in 2006, and it is 35 hours. I get an hour for lunch every day, so am here for a total of 8 hours instead of the 9 I was previously - I just love it! |
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Katie G
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« Reply #9 on: August 06, 2008, 09:01:01 pm » |
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40 hours a week here. 8-5 with an hour for lunch. With my commute, I leave the house at 7AM and get home at 6PM. 11 hours is a l-o-n-g time to be away from home! I wish I could find something closer to home, but a lot of the AA, EA or PA or even Office Manager jobs in my neighborhood have abysmal pay and near non-existant medical or retirement benefits. For all the frustrations, I have a pretty good deal here.
On the other hand, my boss is really good about things like ducking out early for a doctor's appointment, or coming in late after an oil change. Of course, we don't abuse it so it's no big deal.
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dettu
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« Reply #10 on: August 08, 2008, 02:48:56 pm » |
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I THOUGHT my employer was flexible with the appointments but people are making a huge big deal about my needing to reschedule a meeting for next week. I had a minor family emergency come up and I really have to be gone during that short little window to deal with it...I still dream of being self-employed.
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