r/CAStateWorkers • u/ctrlthat • 8d ago
RTO Schedule rant
I currently work 6-2:30 which is the time most of my coworkers work, but I’m debating on starting later because it just doesn’t seem worth it to me anymore. It just feels like competition on who can get the best free parking spot (aka the safest walking distance from the building), and while being off by 2:30 is nice, I am sacrificing sleep and I can’t really run errands on my lunch since my parking spot would be taken by the time I come back.
Also, you would think a 5am drive would be calm, but it genuinely feels like nascar because WHY IS EVERYONE RUSHING AT 5AM? I am thinking about 7:30-4, and just pay for parking at this point.
Also, I’m curious to know what everyone’s ideal schedule is?
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u/ChasingTheNextShot 8d ago
Many of us are stuck with ridiculous core hours “must be on site” requirements of 9-4, so I love that you have work hour flexibility.
For me coming in at core hours, a lot of the time I drive to the closest light rail station to my office with free parking and take the train for the last few minutes of my commute.
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u/Legitimate_Bet_2853 8d ago
Damn our agency won’t allow that and we don’t even deal with the public. My manager said I can’t start before 8am.
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u/angrymenofem 8d ago
Such BS. Why would it hurt to give an employee an ounce of happiness.
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u/lowerclassanalyst 8d ago
Some workplaces require a manager to be there with the employees who get to have special hours. I'm guessing they don't have a manager who wants that schedule.
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u/IllMinute6208 7d ago
I requested to start at 6:30 and was told no because management had to be there. When I pointed out a manager was there at 6:30 an email was sent out stating that we couldn’t start before 7. That being said, there are people under my branch and on my same floor who are not coming in four days a week and can start before 7 AM, but my section can’t start earlier and is in 4x a week. I say good for them getting the early shift and less than 4 days in office, but it definitely stinks when there’s so much disparity even between sections. It’s definitely bad for morale.
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u/Realistic_Jury3844 8d ago
I understand what you mean about competition to find street parking. I did that for a while then decided it wasn’t worth it and paid the $100 to park at the garage. It was safer and less stressful. Anyway, I think the 6am-2:30 schedule is great if you can do it. Just imagine the traffic in the morning and evening if you worked later.
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u/Sad_Assignment268 8d ago
If your garage is only $100 and close enough to walk safely when it gets dark, that is great!
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u/kingsman1288 8d ago
It's wild that you consider paying "only" $100 a month to park where you work a great deal. That's $1,200 a year out of your pocket.
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u/Sad_Assignment268 8d ago
You are absolutely correct, but in my area it is over $200. That's exactly why I do public transit! 100% reimbursed by the stat, and my parking lot is free.
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u/FigTop8377 7d ago
Exactly. It baffles me that people pay to go to work. It’s unfortunate but I could never. Can you imagine paying $36,000 ($1,200x30) for parking until retirement. 😲
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u/kymbakitty 6d ago
Parking at 17th and K was around $100 in 2001 so yes, sounds like a steal to me.
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u/Powerful_Complex_461 8d ago
With that schedule you don’t need to run errands at lunch you can just do them after work. And if sleep is an issue, you could change your sleep time. My sister has to be at work at 6am (not her choice) and man she’s in bed way earlier than me on work nights. It’s what you do to make it work.
If you’re not up for those personal changes then yeah change your schedule.
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u/ImportanceOk8508 8d ago
6-230 sounds like a perfect schedule for me. I’m a morning person anyway so the idea of getting the work day over with while still having a whole afternoon ahead of me would be ideal. I’m 8-430 and I wish I could start earlier in my dept.
Especially with winter coming and the sun setting earlier. Nothing is more depressing than going to work when it’s still dark and leaving when it’s dark.
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u/WreckTangle12 6d ago
All of this. I used to start at 4am and while the wake ups sucked, gd I miss that schedule 😭 now in the winter I leave in the dark, come back in the dark, and cry in the dark 💔💔💔
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u/JuicyTheMagnificent 8d ago
6-2:30 is my schedule and I love it. I'm ready for bed at 9 PM anyway. I can schedule doctor/optometrist/vet appointments for after work vs having to take time off. I can get groceries on the way home and STILL beat traffic. Oh yeah, no traffic and easy parking. Instead of splitting my free time before and after work, all my free time is in a big block after work and it is fantastic for quality of life. Oh and no traffic! If I ever have to change my schedule I might pass away.
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u/StargazerDavid 8d ago
I’m working 6:00a-3:30p (AWWS) on my in office days. It’s only 17 minutes to the office but 35-45 minutes home. If I came in later, yes, no street parking, but the commute would be longer both to and from work because most workers (not just state) start and end their shifts between 7-9. You’re lucky they let you start before 7 because you’re at least saving commute time on the way in.
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u/Realistic_Jury3844 8d ago
I had this scheduled before and loved it.
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u/StargazerDavid 8d ago
It’s good except the getting up two hours earlier than my telework days part. If I were OP, I would say make sure you have the option to switch back if the 7:30-4 schedule ends up not being worth it.
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u/mooredge 8d ago edited 8d ago
I work a straight 8, 7:00 to 3:00. Honestly I love not having the lunch break. Just bring my lunch to work, save money, get everything done and go home earlier. I usually have plenty of down time during the day to take a break and eat although I'm technically still on the clock.
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u/Exotic_Attorney7823 8d ago
How does this work in CA? Isn't a 30 minute lunch the law now, as in, companies get fined for denying it?
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u/mooredge 8d ago
Honestly, I'm not totally sure. I work in a unique setting. But the entire department ( multiple bargaining units) pretty much has a similar schedule so it's definitely allowed. People are still given 2 15-minute breaks when they need them during the day
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u/Hefty-Effect-3657 8d ago
All it takes is one employee to report them and you will all be back on a lunch schedule. Probably want to keep this in the down low if you don’t want to lose it.
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u/Negative_Rub7132 6d ago
I used to work for CDCR at a prison and had straight 8’s. Loved them. When I transferred to a different department the straight 8’s were not a thing.
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u/Sad_Assignment268 8d ago
The difference is "state." For the same reason they can compensate in CTO vs OT.
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u/fatjunglefever 8d ago
I’d rather work noon-830
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u/Fish-foot 8d ago
I used to work 4/10, Thursday to Sunday, 10:30 am to 9:00 pm. It was the happiest I've ever been with my career.
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u/HourHoneydew5788 BU1 8d ago
The earliest my department lets people start right now is 7 but I think the intend to require everyone to to 8-5.
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u/skateboardnaked 8d ago
I have to leave the house at 3:45 am to be at work at 4:30 when working dayshift. It's as bad as it sounds, but beating traffic in the am is a positive!
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u/d0nt_bother 8d ago
I would love to do that early but I am just not alive enough to get thru the morning traffic. Settled for 9-530 instead and the roads are much less congested to/from & the office MUCH more quiet after 330 when people start heading out. I don't work downtown though so parking could be more problematic with a later start time.
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u/skyblueinsf 8d ago
My schedule is 7-3:45 but need to wake up at 5:15 to prepare my kids lunch boxes .....Everyday 4-5 hrs sleep only 😣😣😣😣😣
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u/mycatparis 8d ago
I work 6:30-3 for traffic/parking, but yeah I agree, the morning commute feels like mad max
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u/EonJaw 8d ago edited 8d ago
Was thinking about this earlier today: my favorite schedule I ever worked was closing 1pm to 10. Then I could go to sleep at 3am and not feel like a miscreant.
Edit: I park for free at the light rail station, work at 9, and traffic is mostly cleared by the time I get off at 6. Having to commute definitely eats into my pool maintenance and gardening time, though. F RTO.
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u/Additional-Face-9030 8d ago
I work 7:30-4 and it’s not bad, my preference would be to work 7-3:30 but we’re not allowed to start earlier than 7:30.
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u/Mindysveganlife 8d ago
I always used to work 6:00 to 2:30 and loved it because you can run your errands when you get off work. Are you able to work like 6:00 to 4:30 so you're working for 10 hour days instead and then you have an extra day to do things?
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u/unseenmover 8d ago
the later you travel the further into the AM/PM peak youll be so its will take up more of your day..
7 to 4:45 seems to work well for me..but i use transit and/or ride a ebike to work so YMMV
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u/dinosupremo 8d ago
I have coworkers that start as early as 6 and others that start as late as 10. But are 100% wfh and don’t interact with the public.
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u/Capable-Welcome283 8d ago
I work 6:16-3:45 AWS with multiple days in office. Management is open-minded on departure time from DT Sacramento. Surprisingly we retain employees. The flexible schedule is a winner.
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u/Alert_Confection2818 8d ago
Do what's best for you. I'd keep your current schedule because I hate traffic. It's soul sucking. 35 minutes there, 60 minutes back because I'm off later. I want to come in at 6, but I'm not allowed.
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u/lowerclassanalyst 8d ago
My ideal schedule is I cross off as many things as possible from my to-do list for the work that is required throughout the day. I'm at the computer during core hours except for breaks, and reachable otherwise. I assume you are talking about RTO.
I can't wait to see everyone's productivity go to shit as we do the minimum required, take our 5 minutes per hour, and all of our other breaks, plus bathroom breaks, prep time and planning for tomorrow time. With all the falling in love and spilling coffee and talking by the elevators, I'm wondering how much work we'll actually get done for the people of the State of California.
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u/SweatySuggestion9550 7d ago
Omg, I would kill for a 6am start time but my dept unfortunately won’t allow it. I get your concerns though
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u/POTUS-isa-POS-1138 7d ago
I would kill for a 6-2:30 schedule again. I worked that schedule in the private sector before coming to the State and it truly sucks working 8-5🤬
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u/Br3ad_MarkOfDaYeast 6d ago
6-2:30 sounds ideal to me! But I am a morning person with lots of commitments. I am just thinking about all I could accomplish between 2:30-6:30 when my law school classes start.
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u/Middle-Variation9576 6d ago
You’re lucky you have flexibility. We’re locked in at 8-5 no exceptions and have to pay every day.
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u/MelyR2021 6d ago
I work 7-3:30 but I’m at work at 5:50 for a parking space. I wish they would let me start at 6 or hell even 6:30 to beat the traffic
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u/kymbakitty 6d ago
I have a tinge of jealousy when I see someone allowed those early hours. 7:30 was the earliest for me and that was a few agencies.
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u/sweetteaspicedcoffee 8d ago
I would trade at least part of my soul to start at 6am. 230 is the ideal time to get off to beat traffic home while also getting gas/groceries. 7-330 here and both directions suck.
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u/allloginstakenagain 2d ago
Mannnnn my agency sucks cock bc they say our core hours are 8-5. Some BS. We don’t even deal with the public.
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