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Topic: Managing personal stuff when you have an office job
| Author | Message |
| zinny | Posted – 1/8/2006 10:36:40 PM | show profile Those of you who saw my other thread about checking personal email at work know I'm heading back to an office situation after freelancing full-time for a few years. I'm already starting to hyperventilate a little bit at the idea of wearing nylon at 9 am in a sealed building where you can't open a window. No doubt I will miss sleeping in, walking the dog in the afternoon, working at night when I'm most alert, etc--but what about going to the doctor or dentist, meeting the plumber during the supposed 4-hour window of 9:00 to 1:00 that stretches till 3:00, and all the other personal stuff that needs to happen between 9 and 5? This office is supposedly very into warm bodies being there between 9 and 5 (I've already asked). Obviously a lot of people manage to do this, but I think most people live with somebody else and can divvy these things up. I typically have at least 1 thing per week that can only be scheduled during regular business hours. Any advice about managing this stuff? |
| Astera | Posted – 1/8/2006 10:47:10 PM | show profile I feel your pain, but unfortunately, I don't have any advice for you. At the last place I worked (with the paranoid Timbuktu spies), I had at least one doctor's appointment per week. It became an issue, and flex time or reduced hours was not an option. So, now I'm back to freelancing full-time. I love the flexibility, but I don't love the sporadic paychecks. I really don't know how full-time employees do it. I guess back in the olden days, the men were at work and the wives ran all the household stuff. Now, it's like the wives need wives! ------ adeventuresofastera.blogspot.com copyeditrix.blogspot.com |
| SFElisaW | Posted – 1/8/2006 10:50:23 PM | show profile Be ready for a SHOCK I went back to full-time work last year after four years freelancing and it was TOUGH. REALLY tough. In my first week on the job: * My washing machine broke * My car got a flat tire * I lost my cell phone and had to replace it It was SUPER stressful (my washing machine is still broken - a year later) but eventually I got used to it. My company is actually quite good about things like doctor's and dentist appts and the odd domestic crisis. The key is to realize that you will have to pay more to have certain things done -- fluff and fold, if you used to do it yourself -- eating out more. Also expect to buy more clothes and need more weekends away. Yes, there are times when I don't know how I can afford to work! But the good news is I was pleasantly surprised how nice it was to see the money hit the account every two weeks. |
| princess | Posted – 1/9/2006 8:22:25 AM | show profile You really have to manage your time carefully. With things like doctor's appointments, the vet, etc. I schedule them for after work or at least after 4 p.m.?this way if I have to leave a little early, it's not too big a deal. I also do stuff early in the morning. Most places are open by 8 a.m.or earlier - by that I mean banks, laundromats, drycleaners, etc. Sometimes personal stuff will overlap w/work - it's inevitable. My boss is pretty good about it since I keep it to minimum. When she does give me an attitude, I just remind her that all my deadlines are met (I make sure they are!) and that I'm not asking for permission to do something, it just has to be done. You really have to use your judgement. Every workplace has a different culture with this type of thing so you have to conduct yourself accordingly. Good luck. |
| Upward Bound | Posted – 1/9/2006 8:56:09 AM | show profile This is one reason why so far I've worked at small companies outside NYC. With only 5 people at a company, you don't have any corporate BS to deal with AND I get to dress casually. I run errands at lunch, quote often. We all do. As for the plumber's huge window, I've found that one easy to deal with. Simply tell the plumber (or whoever is giving you the vague window) that you work full time and cannot sit at home to wait for them. If it takes you 20min to get home, twll them to call you 30min ahead of when they ACTUALLY expect to be at your place. You'll have to warn your boss that this is going to happen, but if you eat a working lunch at your desk you can use the plumber's appt. as your ''lunch'' break and the first hour of your time with the plumber shouldn't count against you. And yes, like the previous plster said, make sure you don't ever miss deadlines. Having to meet the occasional repair person won't likely cost you your job unless they're already looking for a reason to fire you. ------ Never settle! |
| mumbo jumbo | Posted – 1/9/2006 10:19:46 AM | show profile Plumbers can be a problem, but most doctors and dentists have early morning, evening or weekend hours. When I worked full-time, I never had to take time off for doctor's appts, except for procedures. |
| activeverb | Posted – 1/9/2006 10:50:29 AM | show profile You probably only think of these as things that have to be done in regular business hours because you had always had the luxury of doing things wheever you like. I have a hard time imaging one thing a week that absolutely has to be done during 9-5 hours, unless you are undergoing regular medical treatment for a serious problem. For most people, a plumber's or doctor's appointment is a pretty rare thing, and easy enough to handle. If your dentist doesn't offer appointments before or after work, find another dentist -- plenty do. Having to stay around for the plumber isn't all that common. My guess is you're just nervous about having to go into an office and not being in control of your schedule, but you'll adjust. Most of America goes into work on a regular schedule and handles the rest of their life just fine -- you will too. <<I typically have at least 1 thing per week that can only be scheduled during regular business hours. Any advice about managing this stuff?>> |
| WritingEd | Posted – 1/9/2006 2:14:01 PM | show profile Agree with activeverb... I can't imagine having one or more things every single week that would cause me to miss work during my regular hours. As others have said, you insist on scheduling certain times with your doctor or dentist. Sure you sometimes have to wait longer for an appt., but only in an emergency would that be an issue anyhow. You anticipate in advance that your boss wouldn't be thrilled with you having to cut out early or come in late, and that determination shows through in your voice when you're scheduling. I'm lucky in that my retired father lives two minutes from my house and he has been able to help out on occasion with having to meet furniture delivery men and such. They also should be able to call 30 min. before arrival, as should phone repair people and many others in service industries. It also helps to occasionally find doctors closer to work if you have a long commute. Once I needed a dermotologist for a short-term thing and I found one 5 minutes from the office. A big help because the appt's were somewhat regular for a little while. Also you may start to realize things that you formerly did in person that perhaps could now be done over the phone or online. Good luck in the transition! |
| clairezulkey | Posted – 1/9/2006 4:45:34 PM | show profile | email poster Hey Zinny, I know this is not the topic you're curious about but I'm looking for sources who can talk about turning their freelance gigs into full-time work. Drop me an email if you are willing to talk more about your situation. ------ Editor of MBToolBox |
| caitlinkelly | Posted – 1/9/2006 10:10:07 PM | show profile Having gone back in 2005 to a FT job after nine years of freelancing, I thought this, too, would be a big deal. I've learned to lower my standards, get a little more patient and to just let some stuff wait, sometimes weeks, til I can get to it on the weekend. Occasionally I'll get up earlier and run a bunch of errands or make some appointments before I leave for work, but that can be a rushed and stressful way to start the day. Right now the car CD player is broken, which is annoying, but really not that big a deal so it simply has to wait. I managed to have a medical test last Saturday morning, (and was pleasantly surprised to find such a thing possible), although I had to wait til Monday for the result. I agree with another poster that, after the endless hassle of money-chasing as a freelancer, it's great to know that your hard-earned money will arrive on time with no lame excuses, kill fees, rewrites, etc. Once your new office discovers how terrific you are, I bet you'll find a little flexibility in cube-land. You can, if you get organized and learn your new office neighborhood (and colleagues will likely be helpful) get a lot of personal stuff done during a lunch break. Congrats on getting a FT job. I keep trying to think of a thing I miss about freelancing... ------ Author of "Blown Away: American Women and Guns" (Pocket Books, 2004.) |
| kaceclosed | Posted – 1/10/2006 12:33:07 AM | show profile I was nervous about this too, but, like other people on the board said, it's really daunting only if you're thinking about the radically different lifestyle change between having complete freedom and needing to be at work. I've found it to have worked out fine--since I often come in at 8 and often stay til after 6, and usually stay at my desk during lunch, I don't feel bad if I have the odd appointment during the day that requires me to be gone for an hour or an hour and a half. My office is pretty flexible, though, which is nice, and I would never schedule something during a meeting or during a time when I know others may need me ''on call,'' but it's pretty easy to get to know the rhythms of the office. They know I'm there and working hard, and it speaks for itself, especially if you forego the lunch hour most of the time. |
| willwriteforfood | Posted – 1/10/2006 2:59:42 PM | show profile I spent two years in an office, so I do know what you're going through. Basically, let yourself be known to always go above and beyond to get things done, eat at your desk (I think I took two lunches total throughout the two years) and be willing to help out in things not necessarily your responsibility. Once you get this name for yourself, a little more flexibility from your boss is likely. I was in a car wreck and had to go to Physical Therapy 3 times a week, plus various other doctors appointments, etc. I scheduled them for 7am so I was at worst 15-30 minutes late for work. I never took lunch breaks, and I would work later in the evening if necessary. My boss was happy so long as deadlines were met, and I got my full hours in for the week. I'm sure the same will be true for you. As regards attire, I actually miss suits. My office was very casual but I much prefer getting dressed up to work. It makes me feel more professional (she says in t-shirt and shorts working with the laptop on her knee). Believe me, the regular checks are wonderful, particularly the two words ''over time.'' ------ "Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job." --Douglas Adams |
| Upward Bound | Posted – 1/10/2006 3:35:01 PM | show profile Overtime? Wow... Wish I could say I got that. I'm on salary with a job (assoc. editor at a mag) that cannot physically be done in 40 hours a week. No extra pay for my extra hours... How does one get overtime? Union job? Newspaper? ------ Never settle! |
| Upward Bound | Posted – 1/10/2006 3:40:22 PM | show profile The point of that, I guess, was that since I work so many extra hours, no one has ever said anything when I need to run an errand or feel like taking an afternoon off for personal reasons. My vacation time isn't really tracked either because of this. I basically take it when I need it to unwind a little. But then again, my office is small and it's an independent publisher. No corporate BS to deal with. Anyway, just a reminder that if you want a stable job without overbearing rules, go for a small company and look outside NYC. There is a compromise between freelancing and uptight corporate places. ------ Never settle! |
| salsera | Posted – 1/10/2006 3:40:45 PM | show profile personal stuff This can be tough, and I think the key is doing things in the evenings and before work. I use Commerce Bank now, which opens early, and take care of that before work. Same with dry cleaning. Recently had to deal with a dead car. I called AAA at night after I'd been working until 7 p.m. (went in at 8 a.m. and was at the office late because I'd spent an hour and a half at the dentist). You'll find a way to juggle everything if your employer is flexible (luckily, mine is). |
| zinny | Posted – 1/10/2006 11:16:59 PM | show profile >> eat at your desk (I think I took two lunches total throughout the two years) << {shudder} I have been reminding myself that at least when it's not hailing I can take a nice long walk at lunchtime and eat outside. I'm a hard worker, but definitely less happy and more sleepy if I just sit inside all day without some breaks and some movement. But points well taken about getting a feel for the office rhythms, scoping out the office neighborhood for a new dentist etc, and becoming one of those folks who has a lot of errands on Sat morning. |
| willwriteforfood | Posted – 1/11/2006 1:55:07 PM | show profile I hear you- did I mention that I'm not working in an office anymore :) My office job was not in a publishing firm, so I think that is why we got overtime. One thing I will suggest is take your lunch with you. If you have a freezer or fridge at the office, then use it. Otherwise you will be spending a lot more than you expect in eating out for lunch. ------ "Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job." --Douglas Adams |
| jjones | Posted – 1/11/2006 3:05:23 PM | show profile try to wait a few weeks and observe what everyone else does. In all the office I've worked in, the start time is actually half and hour after when originally stated. That said, see what other people do: Do they come in late? Do they leave early? How do people react when others have to leave for doc appointments, stay at home to get deliveries, or take their car in for service? Also keep in mind that those higher up in the hierarchy are more likely to be excused, while those lower down are more likely to be scrutinized. It's tough. It's tough for everyone, but after a while you learn what's ok and what's not and you learn how to squeeze those errands in on the way to work or at lunch. Another pointer: Set your life up so that you can do as much as possible online: banking, grocery shopping, etc. |
| gimmemags | Posted – 1/11/2006 5:06:45 PM | show profile all I can say is PTO. Most people in my office take at least 1-2 per month to schedule major things or doc appts. Because I live in a big city, it's generally not feasible to handle errands in less than 1 hour, or an hour 1/2, especially when you don't live near the job. If you have a lot of PTO days, there's definitely no harm in taking one here or there to handle business. It can suck around vacation time, but at least you won't have to spend your whole vacation running errands. |
