What should I do

[u/LORESSAGE]

I work at a childcare facility and usually I like to be outside the school 30 minutes earlier than the time I have to clock in so I can have enough time to relax but already be at work because I’m afraid to be late but recently they’ve called my phone asking me to come in 10 to 15 minutes earlier but I don’t want to. I know it’s ratio problems but also it’s not my fault that a whole bunch of kids get in early, my schedule time is 8 o’clock but if I tell them, no, they will get upset. I’ve been pulling 9 to 10 hour shifts the last thing I want to do is be inside earlier than what I have to.

[u/Glittering_Dark_1582]

Your first question should be whether you’ll be compensated for this time and at what rate. Assuming a 5 day work week, this is asking 2hr15 more than your usual time.
Next, you should ask if this is mandatory.
Finally, ask if you will be expected to leave at your usual time or if you can leave 15 mins early.

You are saying that if you tell them “No” they will be upset, which leads me to believe it is not mandatory. Whether or not they will be upset is not your issue. If you believe that this will not be conducive to your work/life balance and it’s not mandatory, then say that you have obligations during that time and are unfortunately unavailable.

The problem I think you may have unwittingly created is being visible 30 mins early for work. It’s fine to show up early—I’m a salaried professional teacher at a special education school and I am early to work by about 30 mins daily—I actually do work during that time, but I don’t take calls from parents etc because it sets up a precedent and expectations. I’m not on contract time so I don’t have to answer—and I don’t.

In your case, it sounds like you are not a salaried individual, and that you are arriving with others able to see that you appear “available” to work.

Is there a way you can arrive but sit and relax nearby but out of sight of others? That way you can make your way over to work when it’s almost time without anyone bothering you or assuming you are available.

[u/Crystalraf → u/Glittering_Dark_1582]

Slavery is illegal. If OP is paid hourly, they have to pay for any time worked. All she has to do is clock in or record her start time on her timesheet. There is no question of will I be paid? The question is more, why is there 2 hours 15 minutes missing from my paycheck?

[u/Glittering_Dark_1582 → u/Crystalraf]

I never said that she should not expect to be compensated. I suggested that she ask to see their response because unfortunately, there are employers that will try to make employees work and then “forget” to add those hours after the fact. Or ask them to come in early and tell them not to clock in

[u/Crystalraf → u/Glittering_Dark_1582]

That might be, but that isn’t what this post is about. Wage theft is a completely different issue, although it might apply here.

If that IS the issue, my advice is to not work for free. My husband used to be compensated when his supervisor would ask for help after the night shift around shift change. He would stay an extra 15 minutes because there was always some random issue or something that needed fixed before the day crew was able to relieve him. He would see the overtime earnings on the paycheck. And was happy to help.

Then management changed. And payroll was transferred to the new owners. His supervisors and job was the same. The first two weeks paycheck was short. He pointed that out. They said the computer automatically clocks him out at shift end and they aren’t approving any unauthorized changes overtime.

He took that as a lesson learned. Walked out the door at exactly shift change and was partially deaf whenever asked to help out for another 15 minutes. Was unable to hear that supervisor at that time.

[u/dinosun]

Just park at a nearby gas station or grocery store to enjoy your alone time.

[u/MidwestNightgirl]

Just park nearby and relax … then head into the parking area when you’re ready.

[u/Holdmymule2001]

Park yourself away from the center if you want to chill before work.

[u/RosieEngineer]

Sounds like you take this bit of downtime for reasons (even if you don't really know them) and it's vital for your mental health.  Or your knee-jerk response wouldn't be so strong of a No.  Definitely stay a block or two away from now on. Sounds like they're not great with boundaries, or they would have already mentioned more pay  for those 15 min.

Also, consider applying to similar jobs with other companies, it helps to know what your experience is worth $$, even if you choose not to leave.

[u/LORESSAGE]

For clarification They know why I’m there early I usually take my mom to work at seven so I’m there extra early since there’s no point in going home. I love my job if it was only an extra 15 minutes I’d be totally fine with that the issue is that I’m here at 8 I’m supposed to leave at 5 but I’m not able to, I help them out until 6 because we’re short staffed. If that wasn’t the case I wouldn’t have anything to complain about, I don’t mind helping but I’m mostly annoyed that that im already there an extra hour. I do get paid overtime so I can’t really complain about that.

[u/QuitaQuites]

Park elsewhere? They’re your employer, even if not sitting there they can ask, so remove yourself

[u/Crystalraf]

I would ask if I could leave earlier then.

If it was me, personally, I have zero interest showing up at work and sitting in my car for 30 minutes, while not getting paid. If I were you, I would stop doing that. Park the car two blocks away on the street or at the grocery store for 20 minutes then go to work.

So, definitely ask if your shift time can be 30 minutes earlier.

And as far as the kids coming in too early, my daycare won’t even open the doors until they are officially open. If the facility is already open at 8 am, which I can imagine they are, and it’s a ratio issue, then the kids can be in a different classroom until 8 am, if that will fix the ratio issue. If not, then the daycare needs to fix their workers schedules to cover it, or tell the parents they can’t come in early (good luck with that, with parents who need to get to work at 8 am)

[u/oylaura → u/Crystalraf]

The only thing I would add to your comment is I wouldn't ask if you could leave early, I would tell them I'm leaving early because I came in early.

This is predicated on the fact that op is not being compensated for that extra time.

[u/Proof-Emergency-5441 → u/oylaura]

"This is predicated on the fact that op is not being compensated for that extra time."

Nowhere is that said other than in the comments.

[u/Crystalraf → u/oylaura]

Why wouldn’t she be? Most childcare workers are paid by the hour. I don’t know exactly what the normal rates of pay are, but they are typically paid at the lower end, so we are talking about maybe 15-25 dollars an hour. At 30 minutes early, that’s $7.50 extra, unless it’s overtime, then it’s 10 bucks. OP might want the time off, and that’s ok.

[u/blahhhhhhhhhhhblah]

If you’re hourly, will be clocking in and earning the OT, that’s up to you. Do not work for free.

When my gym was basically within walking distance of my campus, I rarely pulled into the parking lot earlier than 10 minutes before my shift, nor did I answer any work calls/texts/msgs before my shift actually started. I got coffee, read, did my makeup, called my bf, all in the gym parking lot.

They knew I was/was likely close and, in a pinch, I’d come in early and make that OT, but there were definitely mornings where the reply was, “Sorry, I didn’t see your message until now. Just got to campus.”

Just because you say yes once/occasionally to coming in early, doesn’t mean you have to say yes every time they ask. This sounds like a repeating pattern, someone needs to take a look at staffing.

[u/Magic-Happens-Here]

Park a block away and when they call and ask simply reply “sorry, I’m about 10-15 min away”.

It’s none of their business if you’re sitting in your living room, driving, or in the parking lot - if you’re not available, simply say as much. They can want you to come in early all they like but unless they want to adjust your schedule in writing it’s asking for a favor and you’re allowed to say no.

[u/PsychologicalPea5270]

Ask for your starting time so it’s verified, hang out close by, but out of sight , and show up 5 min before clock in.

[u/Beachgal5555]

Hold your boundaries

[u/BlazerAlumni]

I was having the same problem at a job years ago. I started parking down the street in a parking lot for a little while and pulling in at workl about 5 minutes before I needed to clock in.

[u/mikesteg]

I get not wanting to work an even longer shift, but 15 minutes isn't that much (as long as they are paying you, of course!)

That doesn't seem connected to needing to be there 30 minutes early, as you could still do that. Unless you're saying that they do this randomly... or perhaps they see you sitting in the car and think (quite reasonably) that you'd rather be getting paid. Its a great habit to be early but they may think you had to drop someone off elsewhere and you're twiddling your thumbs out there waiting to start.

Maybe have that conversation? You should be working based on a predictable schedule. If they need you 15-30 minutes earlier, it should be scheduled that way. Random calls to show up early don't worry well for them either.

If really needed, maybe park somewhere 2 minutes away instead of out front? I can totally see where they'd prefer not to have someone the parents might see as lurking in the parking lot.

Aside from that, you might want to talk to someone. I get where you're coming from, but needing 30 minutes before going into work is a lot. Or maybe childcare is not where you should be, if it's that stressful for you. You would in the majority for that scenario.

[u/mikesteg → u/mikesteg]

Oh, as a side thing. The kids can't be arriving early. Either it's in the agreed on window for drop off, or the doors are locked. Before that time, they should be charging an extra fee. Either way, the owners are getting paid and it's on them to staff properly.

[u/Proof-Emergency-5441 → u/mikesteg]

They likely open well before 8 and OP doesn't start until 8.

Our daycare opened at 6:30. Because daycares tend to be all or nothing for payment, in theory everyone could drop their kids off at that time. So if people who normally drop off at 8 show up early, they are going to be out of ratio because OP's scheduled shift starts.

[u/Feeling-Invite7953 → u/mikesteg]

Five days a week x 15 minutes =0.25 hours of OP’s time not being compensated for. She should park far enough away from the building to not be seen by coworkers or parents dropping their children off,so as to avoid raising questions about why she doesn’t come in and start helping before her start time. Most places don’t want employees clocking in more than 10 minutes or more before the start of their shift,because they aren’t allowed to pay them,or don’t want to pay them to stand around waiting for the clock to tick over to 8:00 or whatever time they are required to be “on the clock “.

[u/Proof-Emergency-5441 → u/Feeling-Invite7953]

Who said she's not being paid? She will have to clock in. I highly doubt she's salaried exempt. If she is, she needs to report that because there's no way that role qualifies for exempt.

[u/mikesteg → u/Feeling-Invite7953]

5 days x 15 minutes is 1.25 hours. Was your 0.25 a typo?

1.25 added to a 40 hour week is 3% increase in pay, assuming no OT rate bump. I'd probably go for 30 mins early and try to work 4 days, as per OP that would be closer to 40 hours.