Work Ethic

[mle]

I would say no and why (obviously ridiculous) and that if the employee still had an issue that she could find a job closer to home. People commute everyday and nobody else is being treated like a princess. Why don't I just personally pick you up and do everything for you too...

[poppleton]

Wow - that sure takes a lot of nerve to make a request like that! My parents instilled a very good work ethic in me and my sister, and we'd be in big trouble if we ever pulled something like that (even now, and I'm 30!).

That being said, I also have found that many companies do not require very much from their employees, and don't necessarily push them to do their best. A few years ago I had an office job where I was busy only about 10% of the time. Part of this was due to lack of work, and part was due to the fact I implemented a lot of organization in a chaotic environment. When I begged for more work, I was told to work slower. I volunteered to work less hours (and therefore take a lower salary), and they found that unacceptable as they wanted me to sit there just in case they needed me! Drove me batty, and I finally had to quit because I was so bored and I didn't feel right getting paid for work I didn't do.

[abbasgirl]

Please tell me your friend said, "NO!!!"
That employee is taking advantage of her. People don't generally get paid to drive to work. They get paid while they are on the job. That's it. And carrying a binder of notes into a meeting does not mean she should get extended lunch hours. How "extended" are we talking here?

[gourmetsue]

Unbelievable. I guess some people have serious guts (or other parts) to ask for something like that. I totally understand the mileage when on company / work business, but getting to and from work??? I used to drive from west of hamilton to downtown every day for work, sometimes you have to do crazy things for a job but you can't expect anyone else to pay for that.

[guccigoo22]

My husbands company pays for travel time. It's dependant on whether the job lays outside the parameters. (not sure what those parameters are though lol) He also gets extra pay if it's an out of town job (more per hour,they pay for the hotel, and he gets $45 a day for food expenses, and bills for the hours it takes to drive)

I should stipulate that he works for a Union. He is now a lead, so he has a company truck, phone and gas card. When he has to run around to suppliers, or the Head office, he get's paid as well.

I'm not sure it's exactly "unethical" to ask for travel pay, I just think it's something that should be discussed at the beginning of employment, and can be worked into the contract.

Time is valuable, and if the time spent on travel/commute, is not worth the money you make for the day, perhaps find a job that better suits your needs?

[lekate]

Nope, commuting should not be paid by the employer.

And yea, work ethics no longer exist. One of my managers puts down that she works full shifts on her pay req. but regularly...doesn't show up. Great, and she's 21, with a 3 yo and another on the way. Responsible.

[Andit]

Interesting responses, everyone. I was just so annoyed yesterday by the request to get paid for commuting.

Sorry, I didn`t mean to imply all young folks are lazy (most of the folks I hang out with are in their early 20s & work several jobs & have a life).

Just to clarify about my friend`s employee. The job is as a personal assistant, but because she`s physically disabled (although mobile, ie walks on her own, no wheelchair or walker), she has specific needs in an assistant. The employee`s duties include helping my friend get to & from work (unless there`s a late meeting, in which case another employee will usually help - note my friend lives a 2 minute subway ride from her job) & bringing things to meetings or bringing her water or coffee (if the employee goes out for something, my friend will usually pay for something for the employee) or photocopying & faxing (light secretarial). If there are meetings off-site, my friend pays for transportation (wither a cab ride or transit fare, since the other location is also on the subway line). The employee`s computer skills are a little lacking (she`s not worked in an office before), so my friend has given her projects to work on (so she won`t be bored) & sent her on upgrade training (employee didn`t have to pay for it & got paid while she was there).

All of this was laid out when the employee got the job. & while there is a union in the workplace, the employee is on contract & not subject to their rules (or dues). If the employee has a doctor`s appt, for example, my friend will let her go on company time, provided there is nothing pressing at that moment (this can usually be planned in advance, if something pops up last minute, someone else can help my friend). The decision to hire someone to act exclusively as her assistant was based on not having to pull other employees away from their duties. The getting to & from work is because my friend is nervous of being knocked over by commuters who aren`t paying attention.


The binder I mentioned, which this employee`s predecessor refused to carry (a 2 inch ring binder which weighs less than my cat, I might add) was carried to one of the meetings by my friend`s boss`boss when he saw her struggle with it. This part annoys me, since any decent human being should help a disabled person.


My friend is going to have a word with the employee today about the `request` (it was sent via email & the employee called in sick yesterday). Should be interesting to see how things shake out.

I`ll keep everyone updated on what happens.

[c_mcarthur]

Ha yea okay, if i asked to be paid for my commute to work id be laughed out of the store...
retail pays the bare minimum

[TudorChick]

these days it is so hard to find those that truly believe work is work and go above and beyond..i hate to toot,but i was always one of those.i had employers tell me i was always early and never late,hardly sick and worked above and beyond.i got raises and had the lazy people complain and ask why.i worked with alot of teenagers,and not all of them are like that,but i had so many get mad at me for getting EOTM and call me a "brown noser".

i ran a warehouse at walmart and had over 10 under me,then i worked in a lube shop,same thing,5 or so teens and two other adults in that shop.i got annoyed with always filling in on my weekends off due to a 24 pack flu.

i guess what i am saying is,so many kids these days have entitlement..and not just teens either..my hubby works with a real lazy old guy,he is like 60 something,and since he has been with the company forever he thinks it is ok to sleep on the job while hubby (28 years old) does all of the work...

i believe everyone should get payed for what they do,and for travelling time.i envy my mothers' job.she works at the hospital and gets 7 weeks vacation a year payed,and full benefits and allowances for things like scrubs,shoes,anything related to her job...