LEAVING EARLY

[bluebird34]

My son has just got a 12 week job with tesco after a prolonged period of unemployment and he is over the moon. He will be working afternoons and his shift ends at 6.30pm, however his last bus leaves at 6.35 and he will need at least 10mins to get to his stop. He is now stressing that he will lose the job when he tells the that he will need to leave 5 mins early although he is happy to start earlier (15 mins if necessary) to make up for it. What is their reaction likely to be please.

[Ellipsis]

My reaction would be "Why didn't you discuss this when we made the job offer in which we stated your hours of work?"

If he's accepted the job then it's his problem. They may be able to accommodate his different hours, or they may not. Either way, it doesn't reflect well on him - and it's not a good start - to turn up on day 1 with this problem. In his place, I would try to find an alternative means of transport (e.g. a bicycle) and not mention it to Tesco.

[Madruby]

Hi, I agree with Ellipsis in that it is his problem.

Is the 6.35 bus the last one of the day? If not is it so baod to wait around for another bus? sorry if I appear harsh but as I previously worked in food retail it was not uncommon for candidates being interviewed to assure that they could work any hour, anyshift. If the 12 weeks contract could lead to something more permanent then I would advise being as flexible as possible. Check out the store policy in regatds to requsting working flexibly/ amending hours.

[Brinjal]

That never goes down well as there are always comments from other workers. When I started one job I explained to my boss at the start that I would only be able to start at 8.15 as I had to drop my kids at nursery and couldn't drop them before 8.00am.
He was in agreement with this but some weeks later he had forgotten this and questioned me about it and stated that others in the company were complaining. I pointed out the employment contract but it just created an unpleasant atmosphere.

[Prudie]

As others have said have you looked at alternate means of travel - surely the last bus isn't at 6.35? Perhaps he can ask but I'd wait at least a couple of days of working there first. I only say this as my daughter had a Saturday job at Tesco and they turned out to be a very mean, uncaring and stubborn employer!

[bluebird34]

Thank you for your answers. Unfortunately yes 6.35 is the last bus and he lives 7 miles from the store. I am really upset for him he has worked so hard to get a job and now it looks as if he will lose it before he has started and we live in a small village so no hope of a job nearer to home. Public transport here in the Fens is a joke and I really don't see him ever getting a job

[Fitzer]

Bicycle has to be the answer then, with a little practice 7 miles is going to take less than 30 mins, if he hasn't got a bike then get him to put out a wanted request on his local Freecycle group (Freecycle.org) and he'll probably get one offered.

[HowardKennitby]

Does he know what other people on that shift do? Maybe get a lift all or part way for a contribution to the petrol.
Bike is a reasonable alternative at this time of year.

[Mosaic]

Agree with Fitzer - a bike or a moped, lots of high visibility gear and waterproofs. It'll be cheaper than the bus as well.

[bednobs]

why apply for a job he can't get to?

[cathfromsaron]

i would offer to take it off my lunch break for the first week ... and hope an existing employee is going my way!

cath x

[dotty.]

if it is a store that is open 24 hours then there is no reason he cannot ask that he starts slightly earlier to enable him to leave on time for his bus, if the store is one that closes at 6.30 then he will have to stay until then i would think, but most managers can be flexible in this tyoe of situation as long as there is a valid reason. I would also suggest that he offers to reduce his afternoon break or even forgo it, (I assume he has a 15 or 20 minute break unless he is under 18 ) as a gesture to give them an incentive to let him leave early.

[bluebird34]

Thank you for your more positive answers!! He had been round town leaving his cv everywhere he could think of and tesco rang him and asked to see him so he was unaware of the hours and anyway bednobs at least he wants to work!! His last job was 18months ago cleaning and he worked for 14 hours a week for £10 which was the difference between jobseekers and what he was paid.

[factor-fiction]

He should ask and a good employer may be able to be flexible, although he may need to be prepared to live with the hours until alternative arrangements can be agreed. There is a good chance that others are already in the same boat and there may already be a solution in place- eg someone may give lifts.

[bluebird34]

Yes I am hoping there may be the possibility of a car share but if there is no other solution I have told him Iwill pick him up myself although at 77 it is not what i would choose and he does not drive unfortunately. However i will do whatever i can to help him get a job and i must say some of the people who answered seem to think jobs grow on trees, well they dont around here!! Anyway thanks for all the positive answers = despite my username I am in fact his mother not his father lol x

[mazie]

If you pick him up for a few days tomking, I'm sure he'll make a few friends and get a lift. Don't let him lose the job for the sake of having to do that for a little while. Good luck x

[bluebird34]

Thank you maizie thats what i'm hoping xxxx

[sherrardk]

Must be a complete pain if you don't drive and live in the sticks (I would struggle without the car as we have one bus an hour into town). Hope all goes well for your son and good on him for getting off his butt and getting a job. (PS - didn't even look at your name but thought you were his mother from the way you wrote about him :) )

[mike11111]

Having given your age as 77 one would assume that your son is no longer in the first flush of youth. Depending on his fitness cycling 14 miles per day may or may not be an ideal solution.

[joko]

would a bike enable him to make his bus in 5 mins?

i would see if you can sort a share an if not he should present them with the problem - after having worked very hard for a few days to show his worth

they can only say no. make sure your son makes it clear when he brings it up that he is just enquiring as to whether there is any leeway with those 10 mins or so, and if not, he is to just accept it and say he will sort things out another way then.

if they do agree to it, make sure he lets others in the work force know his circumstances so they dont start gossiping.

[Eve]

He needs a reliable back up as it may not always be practical to get out on time as he could get caught up with all kinds of things like waiting for replacement cover, store searches (we used to get them when I worked in a supermarket, employees were randomly searched as you were leaving to check you hadn't stolen anything), he could get caught up with a customer (common even as going to leave if you're in uniform as they don't necessarily know you aren't on shift anymore) or be in the middle of something he can't just leave (especially with a tight timescale), I'm not sure if Tesco do but some places have a policy where you can't wear uniforms outside of the store so he would have to change or cover up and he would need to get his stuff.

Staff changing rooms aren't always quick to get to and from depending on where they are situated. Ours were right at the back of the store, past the clock in machine, through the warehouse, up a load of stairs - you would then have to go all the way back to the front of the store to leave.

Does he know which area he is working on? Depending on his shift pattern and hours he is legally entitled to some breaks so employers may be loathe to let his substitute breaks for an early finish if he then ends up working over time when he is allowed a break, especially larger employers.