Bad Manners and Brimstone

General Etiquette => The Work Day => Topic started by: Nikko-chan on April 13, 2020, 09:33:58 pm

Title: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25 #29 Last update #46
Post by: Nikko-chan on April 13, 2020, 09:33:58 pm
So, I work from home. And because of Covid-19 a bunch of us (not me thankfully!) are laid off temporarily. What this means is meetings to let people know about a bill that was passed in my state to get funding to our company to people who were laid off. This is money that is not unemployment but a supplement to that unemployment.

The meetings about this are usually at 10:30 AM. I start at two PM. The first meeting, our boss sent a message on discord on Saturday about the meeting. There's only about 5-10 people working on a Saturday, most of our contracts are Monday thru Friday. Apparently the boss sent another message on discord on Good Friday, but I was off because the site I work was off. Today I wake up to a text message from a coworker 'Hey, we're having a meeting now.'

Thankfully my computer was already up so I signed in to my work discord and into the meeting. I managed to get the gist of it. Same information basically as last time.

If not for my coworker, I would have missed the meeting. Again. I apologized to my boss for missing the beginning of the meeting, and after it concluded signed off, as I'm not even at work yet. I really feel there is a better way they can handle these meetings. Sure, have them on discord, but contact us a few days beforehand so everyone knows.

Is there any way I can bring up to my boss that unfortunately I am not getting the info in a timely manner about the meetings because I work afternoon shift? How would I word that?

Or should i log in to work on weekends and holidays to make sure their aren't any missed messages?
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: TootsNYC on April 14, 2020, 11:34:49 am
"Hey, boss, I haven't been getting the info about these meetings because it's being sent while I'm not at work. Us afternoon-shift people aren't online when these are sent out, and the messages aren't going out early enough so that we can hear about it in time to be sure we're there.

"And of course, if the meeting is in the morning, we have to log in when we're not officially working.*

"I can't be the only afternoon-shift person with this problem. Is there a way this can be organized so we can all get the info?"


*in the US, if you were a non-exempt/hourly worker, you'd need to be paid for attending that meeting; maybe if it wasn't mandatory, you wouldn't have to, but it could be a problem.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: QueenFaninCA on April 14, 2020, 11:55:21 am
I'd send boss an email:

Hi boss (or whatever greeting you usually use),

if my attendance at a meeting is expected for a meeting outside of my usual work hours, you need to notify me about the meeting during my work hours, not after them if the meeting is before my next scheduled work hours.

Thank you

Nikko-chan
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: TootsNYC on April 14, 2020, 11:56:54 am
that's a little blunt.

Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: Chez Miriam on April 14, 2020, 12:01:37 pm
I'd send boss an email:

Hi boss (or whatever greeting you usually use),

if my attendance at a meeting is expected for a meeting outside of my usual work hours, you need to notify me about the meeting during my work hours, not after them if the meeting is before my next scheduled work hours.

Thank you

Nikko-chan

You could add: "or please notify me/those of us who work alternative shifts by <X means>* at other times.

I don't know what Discord is, but it sounds as though it doesn't save any messages whilst you are not logged on?  My husband uses some different meeting platform, but his conferences are always arranged a) several days to a week in advance, and b) everyone receives an email telling them when to join the conference.

* Email, text, carrier pigeon, whatever works
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: Nikko-chan on April 14, 2020, 01:45:35 pm
I'd send boss an email:

Hi boss (or whatever greeting you usually use),

if my attendance at a meeting is expected for a meeting outside of my usual work hours, you need to notify me about the meeting during my work hours, not after them if the meeting is before my next scheduled work hours.

Thank you

Nikko-chan

You could add: "or please notify me/those of us who work alternative shifts by <X means>* at other times.

I don't know what Discord is, but it sounds as though it doesn't save any messages whilst you are not logged on?  My husband uses some different meeting platform, but his conferences are always arranged a) several days to a week in advance, and b) everyone receives an email telling them when to join the conference.

* Email, text, carrier pigeon, whatever works
Discord is a chat platform originally for gamers. You create a chat, add people, talk through text or voice.

And thank you all for your suggestions so far!  It's not only me, either. Apparently we had like 4 people that had to be contacted for this meeting.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: JeanFromBNA on April 14, 2020, 02:14:59 pm
I'd send boss an email:

Hi boss (or whatever greeting you usually use),

if my attendance at a meeting is expected for a meeting outside of my usual work hours, you need to notify me about the meeting during my work hours, not after them if the meeting is before my next scheduled work hours.

Thank you

Nikko-chan
That email would be a good way to get yourself bumped up on the list for the next round of permanent layoffs.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: JeanFromBNA on April 14, 2020, 02:17:59 pm

Or should i log in to work on weekends and holidays to make sure their aren't any missed messages?


Yes.  Log in Sunday night until they sort this out. Employers are struggling with communication, too. 
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: TootsNYC on April 14, 2020, 02:54:42 pm


And thank you all for your suggestions so far!  It's not only me, either. Apparently we had like 4 people that had to be contacted for this meeting.

Phrase it as a helpful piece of information you are giving him--something he hadn't really thought about, but that you observed and are alerting him to.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: katiekat2009 on April 14, 2020, 06:55:12 pm
I read a letter in Ask A Manager that was similar. Why are you working for a company that laid you off? You need a guarantee in writing that they will hire you back. Otherwise, I wouldn't do work for them.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: Pattycake on April 14, 2020, 07:29:40 pm
I read a letter in Ask A Manager that was similar. Why are you working for a company that laid you off? You need a guarantee in writing that they will hire you back. Otherwise, I wouldn't do work for them.

She said "a bunch of us (not me thankfully!)". So hopefully none of the others that are missing the meetings are not laid off either because you're right, they shouldn't be working if they're laid off.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: lowspark on April 15, 2020, 09:32:42 am
I would put it something like this:

Sorry I missed/was late to xyz meeting. I didn't get the notice since it was sent during my off hours. Just a heads up! Thanks!

Then it's up to your boss to do something about it or not. And then, I'd start checking messages on weekends and holidays anyway.
If it stops happening, then you can quit checking.

Me? I always want to appear to be flexible and accommodating, not rigid and demanding. Particularly in times of stress like this... but really, any time.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: Pandorica on April 15, 2020, 11:12:03 am
Or should i log in to work on weekends and holidays to make sure their aren't any missed messages?

Definitely.  Just make it a habit to check your messages daily, it seems like this is what your manager is expecting you to do. 

Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: oogyda on April 15, 2020, 01:50:35 pm
I would put it something like this:

Sorry I missed/was late to xyz meeting. I didn't get the notice since it was sent during my off hours. Just a heads up! Thanks!

Then it's up to your boss to do something about it or not. And then, I'd start checking messages on weekends and holidays anyway.
If it stops happening, then you can quit checking.

Me? I always want to appear to be flexible and accommodating, not rigid and demanding. Particularly in times of stress like this... but really, any time.

But, if OP is hourly, she has to "clock in" to check...in other words, she has to be paid for her time to check the e-mails and messages.  If DH is caught working without being on the clock, he could lose his job. 
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: Pattycake on April 15, 2020, 02:08:34 pm
Or should i log in to work on weekends and holidays to make sure their aren't any missed messages?

Definitely.  Just make it a habit to check your messages daily, it seems like this is what your manager is expecting you to do.

No, not daily - just on work days. if you're not paid for weekends, you don't do any work on them, which includes reading email as that is something that you should be on the clock for.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: Dazi on April 15, 2020, 02:17:21 pm
Or should i log in to work on weekends and holidays to make sure their aren't any missed messages?

Definitely.  Just make it a habit to check your messages daily, it seems like this is what your manager is expecting you to do.

No, not daily - just on work days. if you're not paid for weekends, you don't do any work on them, which includes reading email as that is something that you should be on the clock for.

My job is the same way. I can't log into and check anything unless I am clocked in. It is 100% a terminable offense.

 
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: PVZFan on April 15, 2020, 03:03:47 pm
Or should i log in to work on weekends and holidays to make sure their aren't any missed messages?

Definitely.  Just make it a habit to check your messages daily, it seems like this is what your manager is expecting you to do.

No, not daily - just on work days. if you're not paid for weekends, you don't do any work on them, which includes reading email as that is something that you should be on the clock for.

Technically, and likely legally, OP should be on the clock for reading emails. But that doesn't seem to be the company culture because they're sending the emails and seem to expect OP to have the information.

I think a heads-up to the employer with am email or message that's a "Hi Supervisor, I was a couple minutes late to the last informational meeting because I didn't see the notice. I just wanted to let you know that those of us on afternoon shift may not be seeing the notices in time for the meeting. Thanks!"
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: TootsNYC on April 15, 2020, 04:08:57 pm
but it wouldn't matter that it was a workday, not for an hourly worker. If you check your email at 8am, when your shift doesn't start until 4pm, you are working off the clock.

And even if you're salaried (in the US, this is; "exempt"), you really shouldn't be working when you're not supposed to. You should be in a different headspace.

And the manager needs this info, that he's sending things people aren't seeing. Just tell him "I almost missed that meeting because the info was sent after I got off and before my shift started again. I wasn't the only one. I thought I'd remind you that us late-shift people won't see things like this, and to ask if you can plan for more time in between the notice and the meeting. It would probably help everyone, but I know for sure it makes a big difference for me and the other late-shift people"

Tell him. It's info he needs.
You work for him; you owe it to him to supply that info.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: STiG on April 15, 2020, 04:22:02 pm
Just tell him "I almost missed that meeting because the info was sent after I got off and before my shift started again. I wasn't the only one. I thought I'd remind you that us late-shift people won't see things like this, and to ask if you can plan for more time in between the notice and the meeting. It would probably help everyone, but I know for sure it makes a big difference for me and the other late-shift people"

Tell him. It's info he needs.
You work for him; you owe it to him to supply that info.

I agree with this.  Do the other employees work beyond your start time?  If so, I might add:  'Would it be possible to schedule meetings later in the day?  Perhaps at or just before the start of the afternoon shift so that we aren't having to sign on early?
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: Pattycake on April 15, 2020, 05:18:46 pm
but it wouldn't matter that it was a workday, not for an hourly worker. If you check your email at 8am, when your shift doesn't start until 4pm, you are working off the clock.

And even if you're salaried (in the US, this is; "exempt"), you really shouldn't be working when you're not supposed to. You should be in a different headspace.

And the manager needs this info, that he's sending things people aren't seeing. Just tell him "I almost missed that meeting because the info was sent after I got off and before my shift started again. I wasn't the only one. I thought I'd remind you that us late-shift people won't see things like this, and to ask if you can plan for more time in between the notice and the meeting. It would probably help everyone, but I know for sure it makes a big difference for me and the other late-shift people"

Tell him. It's info he needs.
You work for him; you owe it to him to supply that info.

Yeah, that too! That's what I meant, really - you only check it on work days, when you're working.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: Pandorica on April 15, 2020, 07:35:31 pm
Or should i log in to work on weekends and holidays to make sure their aren't any missed messages?

Definitely.  Just make it a habit to check your messages daily, it seems like this is what your manager is expecting you to do.

No, not daily - just on work days. if you're not paid for weekends, you don't do any work on them, which includes reading email as that is something that you should be on the clock for.

My job is the same way. I can't log into and check anything unless I am clocked in. It is 100% a terminable offense.

I'm not sure how Discord severs work, but from her phrasing,  it doesn't seem like OP would be locked out if she's not actually scheduled to work.    I realize she shouldn't have to "work" when she's not scheduled!  If the only way, though, to learn about the meetings is to take a couple of minutes to check her messages, I'm not sure I see the problem.

It's my understanding that there are workplaces like restaurants where you have to call in for your schedule (via a computer app or actually calling the store)  I'm not sure I see a difference here.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: Aleko on April 16, 2020, 02:44:26 am
Quote
... there are workplaces like restaurants where you have to call in for your schedule (via a computer app or actually calling the store) I'm not sure I see a difference here.

The difference is that those workers don't have their schedule in advance and so they know they're routinely going to call in for it at the time when they know when it will be available. That's different from being expected to ring to check whether an appointment has been added to your Monday morning without notifying you.

And I do agree that this manager is simply not thinking things through, and should be reminded that a whole tranche of his workforce needs to be communicated with more effectively.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: Twik on April 16, 2020, 08:57:50 am
I think it's best to let the manager know there's a problem, phrased as "how do we solve this?" as well as a couple of solutions.

Something like:

Hi, Manager!

I'm looking for some help regarding meeting scheduling. Sometimes the notifications are sent out when I'm not supposed to be logged in to e-mail to check, and I'm worried I might miss a meeting. Can we figure out a way that I get a notification when a meeting is scheduled over the weekend? (examples of solutions) Could my work e-mail be set up to automatically forward these to a personal e-mail I can check when not at work? Could the scheduling messages be sent out by text as well as e-mail? I'm not sure the best solution, but I really don't want to miss meetings because I can't access my e-mail before my shift starts.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: TootsNYC on April 16, 2020, 09:34:27 am
or even suggest either earlier notice, or scheduling the meetings a little less promptly after the notice is sent.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: lowspark on April 16, 2020, 01:16:35 pm
I would put it something like this:

Sorry I missed/was late to xyz meeting. I didn't get the notice since it was sent during my off hours. Just a heads up! Thanks!

Then it's up to your boss to do something about it or not. And then, I'd start checking messages on weekends and holidays anyway.
If it stops happening, then you can quit checking.

Me? I always want to appear to be flexible and accommodating, not rigid and demanding. Particularly in times of stress like this... but really, any time.

But, if OP is hourly, she has to "clock in" to check...in other words, she has to be paid for her time to check the e-mails and messages.  If DH is caught working without being on the clock, he could lose his job.

I may be reading the OP wrong, but it appears that the meetings themselves are not during her normal working hours. And she is attending them when she finds out:

Today I wake up to a text message from a coworker 'Hey, we're having a meeting now.'

Thankfully my computer was already up so I signed in to my work discord and into the meeting.

So it doesn't seem as if there is a penalty for working when it's not your shift.
If it were a firable offense for her, I imagine she wouldn't be asking in the OP:

Or should i log in to work on weekends and holidays to make sure their aren't any missed messages?

Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed.
Post by: Nikko-chan on April 16, 2020, 01:56:01 pm
Update: I sent him an email that same day about missing the meetings, along with a couple of suggestions of what I could do differently, and which of them would he rather I do. He still hasn't responded. At all. Either on the email or discord.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25
Post by: JeanFromBNA on April 16, 2020, 02:07:59 pm
Since your scheduled working hours don't correspond to normal local business hours, I would log in and check messages Sunday night.  You don't have to answer emails, or do any other work. Just see if there's anything that requires your participation outside of your scheduled working hours.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25
Post by: bopper on April 17, 2020, 10:51:36 am
Is this a message:

Lets meet at 2:00 on Monday

or is this an invite on your calendar?

at least get him to use the calendar invite so you can review the calendar.

Maybe ask for a text if a meeting is scheduled on off hours.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25
Post by: Nikko-chan on April 17, 2020, 08:51:38 pm
Is this a message:

Lets meet at 2:00 on Monday

or is this an invite on your calendar?

at least get him to use the calendar invite so you can review the calendar.

Maybe ask for a text if a meeting is scheduled on off hours.

Its through discord and you can @everyone so it will ping everyone. If they are on their work discord that is.  so its usually something like:
Name 7:23 pm:
@everyone we will be having a meeting on Monday at 10:30 AM about [item] i need everyone to be there.


But... I use my computer for work as well as personal use so i can't be logged in on my work discord constantly.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25
Post by: Nikko-chan on April 20, 2020, 10:54:48 am
And yet another update: I checked religiously Friday and Saturday on the work discord. I checked once on Sunday. Was all for naught. Then I decided to check at 11:30 AM because I was awake (normally I am not) and... we have a meeting today at one PM. I talked to the person who tagged everyone, and asked him if he would be okay emailing me for the meetings, and he was like "Well do you have discord muted?" and I told him I wasn't signed in because... I have a work discord and a personal discord. So after work? I don't sign in to that discord I change it over to my personal.

He asked me to sign into my work discord on my phone then. But that would mean... I would be basically on call 24/7. Like. these meetings aren't even paid. I am basically just posting now so you all can watch this train wreck.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25 #29
Post by: frog24 on April 20, 2020, 05:44:36 pm
I think it's time to look up your state labor laws on what's required of you as your type of employee. Then, present it to management in a "Surely we don't want to go against labor laws" kind of way.

Meetings should be booked far enough in advance so all employees can attend. You should not be on-call, checking your Discord every few minutes to make sure you haven't missed anything.

Can you send around an email asking for meetings to be recorded and distributed to those who aren't on the morning shifts?

I'm sorry you're going through this, but either they're mandatory meetings for which you should be properly notified and paid, or you don't get penalized for missing meetings you weren't aware of. The message you received from a co-worker about logging in on your phone is ridiculous. I'm very sorry you're going through this.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25 #29
Post by: bopper on April 20, 2020, 05:46:33 pm
Are you an hourly worker or a salaried worker?
If you are an hourly worker then you should not have discord on nor should you be expected to check anything work related while you are not being paid.

If you are salaried, then you should talk to people..."If you want me to be on a meeting on Sunday, you need to...[text me/use the calendar function/not schedule things on a Sunday/whatever works for you]
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25 #29
Post by: Nikko-chan on April 20, 2020, 11:38:23 pm
I think it's time to look up your state labor laws on what's required of you as your type of employee. Then, present it to management in a "Surely we don't want to go against labor laws" kind of way.

Meetings should be booked far enough in advance so all employees can attend. You should not be on-call, checking your Discord every few minutes to make sure you haven't missed anything.

Can you send around an email asking for meetings to be recorded and distributed to those who aren't on the morning shifts?

I'm sorry you're going through this, but either they're mandatory meetings for which you should be properly notified and paid, or you don't get penalized for missing meetings you weren't aware of. The message you received from a co-worker about logging in on your phone is ridiculous. I'm very sorry you're going through this.

Oh the best part about that whole "You should stay logged in 24/7 on your phone" was from our HR guy!

Are you an hourly worker or a salaried worker?
If you are an hourly worker then you should not have discord on nor should you be expected to check anything work related while you are not being paid.

If you are salaried, then you should talk to people..."If you want me to be on a meeting on Sunday, you need to...[text me/use the calendar function/not schedule things on a Sunday/whatever works for you]

I am hourly. Part time hourly. and other people are having trouble with this too but no one as much as me? Like, I think personally this is bullshit. And no one else does. My coworker (and friend I know her irl) was at her weekend job, helping with inventory even though the weekend job has closed its doors to the public. And even then she was just like, whatever its fine. But... she was attending the meeting, in the hallway on her laptop. Like... She brought her laptop to her SECOND JOB to attend this meeting. Like. I even suggested to them to use an email blast for these meetings. No one wants to frickin listen.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25 #29
Post by: Bada on April 21, 2020, 09:16:34 am
Do you have someone you're friendly with who works full time who'd be willing to be the one to give you a heads up about these meetings? Obviously staying logged on as an hourly worker is ridiculous (way to go HR...) and if he's not willing to keep you in the loop, then either someone else needs to or you'll miss the calls.  What are the penalties for missing these calls? Maybe it takes missing some (and being "unavailable" when they say there's a meeting RIGHT NOW you should join) for them to change the system.

When I was an intern, work changed their security settings so that to have your work email on your personal phone, you had to give them permission to wipe your whole phone clean remotely if they ever decided to. I sent an email to the whole team saying that wasn't going to work for me, so I'd no longer have access to my email off hours but that if they did need to reach me for something time sensitive they could give me a call. That new "wipe your phone" policy didn't last long after I sent my email.  Maybe you could do something along the same lines (needs revision...I wouldn't send as is...):
Hi Team,
It seems like there's a new policy in place where important meetings are being scheduled on short notice. As an hourly worker, I'm really trying to stay up to date on when these meetings are, but because it's not possible for me to always be logged into Discord I'm having trouble making these meetings.  So, while I'm going to try my best to make it to every meeting I can, I apologize in advance if I miss a meeting or two because I didn't hear of a meeting that was planned for 90 minutes later and discussed only via Discord.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25 #29
Post by: wolfie on April 21, 2020, 09:27:14 am
you can always ask HR how to log the hours you are using to check discord and your email so you get paid. that usually makes them decide they can do it during work hours.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25
Post by: Chez Miriam on April 21, 2020, 11:32:56 am
And yet another update: I checked religiously Friday and Saturday on the work discord. I checked once on Sunday. Was all for naught. Then I decided to check at 11:30 AM because I was awake (normally I am not) and... we have a meeting today at one PM. I talked to the person who tagged everyone, and asked him if he would be okay emailing me for the meetings, and he was like "Well do you have discord muted?" and I told him I wasn't signed in because... I have a work discord and a personal discord. So after work? I don't sign in to that discord I change it over to my personal.

He asked me to sign into my work discord on my phone then. But that would mean... I would be basically on call 24/7. Like. these meetings aren't even paid. I am basically just posting now so you all can watch this train wreck.

Oh, that is so sucky!

Would missing the meetings mean you might lose the job?  Because if not, I'd be all like "oh, I didn't get the invite because I wasn't at work; shame".  But I'm lucky that mostly I work for myself, so no-one has the power to fire me!  I didn't respond well to a former boss wanting my mobile number when she could contact me through my agency; if LargeEuroBank didn't want to pay for my mobile, they certainly didn't need to be clogging up my line, but I know the world has changed since then, and I really didn't care about losing that job because my 'love' of being screamed at on a daily basis had vanished.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25
Post by: Dazi on April 21, 2020, 11:50:15 am
And yet another update: I checked religiously Friday and Saturday on the work discord. I checked once on Sunday. Was all for naught. Then I decided to check at 11:30 AM because I was awake (normally I am not) and... we have a meeting today at one PM. I talked to the person who tagged everyone, and asked him if he would be okay emailing me for the meetings, and he was like "Well do you have discord muted?" and I told him I wasn't signed in because... I have a work discord and a personal discord. So after work? I don't sign in to that discord I change it over to my personal.

He asked me to sign into my work discord on my phone then. But that would mean... I would be basically on call 24/7. Like. these meetings aren't even paid. I am basically just posting now so you all can watch this train wreck.

Oh, that is so sucky!

Would missing the meetings mean you might lose the job?  Because if not, I'd be all like "oh, I didn't get the invite because I wasn't at work; shame".  But I'm lucky that mostly I work for myself, so no-one has the power to fire me!  I didn't respond well to a former boss wanting my mobile number when she could contact me through my agency; if LargeEuroBank didn't want to pay for my mobile, they certainly didn't need to be clogging up my line, but I know the world has changed since then, and I really didn't care about losing that job because my 'love' of being screamed at on a daily basis had vanished.
If you are an hourly employee, you are MOST certainly to be paid for meetings if you are not scheduled. It's a violation of federal labor laws not to pay non-salaried people to work off the clock. Keep a log and highly consider reporting them. You're entitled to back pay for the work you did do off the clock.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25
Post by: Bada on April 21, 2020, 12:30:27 pm
And yet another update: I checked religiously Friday and Saturday on the work discord. I checked once on Sunday. Was all for naught. Then I decided to check at 11:30 AM because I was awake (normally I am not) and... we have a meeting today at one PM. I talked to the person who tagged everyone, and asked him if he would be okay emailing me for the meetings, and he was like "Well do you have discord muted?" and I told him I wasn't signed in because... I have a work discord and a personal discord. So after work? I don't sign in to that discord I change it over to my personal.

He asked me to sign into my work discord on my phone then. But that would mean... I would be basically on call 24/7. Like. these meetings aren't even paid. I am basically just posting now so you all can watch this train wreck.

Oh, that is so sucky!

Would missing the meetings mean you might lose the job?  Because if not, I'd be all like "oh, I didn't get the invite because I wasn't at work; shame".  But I'm lucky that mostly I work for myself, so no-one has the power to fire me!  I didn't respond well to a former boss wanting my mobile number when she could contact me through my agency; if LargeEuroBank didn't want to pay for my mobile, they certainly didn't need to be clogging up my line, but I know the world has changed since then, and I really didn't care about losing that job because my 'love' of being screamed at on a daily basis had vanished.
If you are an hourly employee, you are MOST certainly to be paid for meetings if you are not scheduled. It's a violation of federal labor laws not to pay non-salaried people to work off the clock. Keep a log and highly consider reporting them. You're entitled to back pay for the work you did do off the clock.

Yes, but tracking "logged into Discord" in 3 minute intervals is far trickier than tracking a meeting, especially if you're paid in quarter hour (or large) increments
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25
Post by: wolfie on April 21, 2020, 12:40:23 pm
And yet another update: I checked religiously Friday and Saturday on the work discord. I checked once on Sunday. Was all for naught. Then I decided to check at 11:30 AM because I was awake (normally I am not) and... we have a meeting today at one PM. I talked to the person who tagged everyone, and asked him if he would be okay emailing me for the meetings, and he was like "Well do you have discord muted?" and I told him I wasn't signed in because... I have a work discord and a personal discord. So after work? I don't sign in to that discord I change it over to my personal.

He asked me to sign into my work discord on my phone then. But that would mean... I would be basically on call 24/7. Like. these meetings aren't even paid. I am basically just posting now so you all can watch this train wreck.

Oh, that is so sucky!

Would missing the meetings mean you might lose the job?  Because if not, I'd be all like "oh, I didn't get the invite because I wasn't at work; shame".  But I'm lucky that mostly I work for myself, so no-one has the power to fire me!  I didn't respond well to a former boss wanting my mobile number when she could contact me through my agency; if LargeEuroBank didn't want to pay for my mobile, they certainly didn't need to be clogging up my line, but I know the world has changed since then, and I really didn't care about losing that job because my 'love' of being screamed at on a daily basis had vanished.
If you are an hourly employee, you are MOST certainly to be paid for meetings if you are not scheduled. It's a violation of federal labor laws not to pay non-salaried people to work off the clock. Keep a log and highly consider reporting them. You're entitled to back pay for the work you did do off the clock.

Yes, but tracking "logged in
to Discord" in 3 minute intervals is far trickier than tracking a meeting, especially if you're paid in quarter hour (or large) increments

Which is why you ask HR how you should log those hours because you wouldn't want to violate federal law. Either they will come up with a way for you to get paid and or they will change their ways.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25 #29
Post by: JeanFromBNA on April 21, 2020, 01:45:59 pm
Is this a recent phenomena that's been happening since the pandemic, or have they always been this way?
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25 #29
Post by: AnnaT on April 21, 2020, 08:18:56 pm
That is such a disorganised way to run a meeting!  I am surprised there aren't more people missing them.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25 #29
Post by: bopper on April 22, 2020, 12:55:01 pm
I would talk to my boss..."I was invited to a meeting on Sunday via Discord and I was asked where I was when I did not attend. As you know, I am an hourly worker so am not checking my mail/discord over the weekend.    I would like you to clarify expectations regarding my expected days of work and if my hours of work are expected to change. As you know, as an hourly employee I by law must be paid if I work so if I am to be checking discord I have to be paid for that. I am not sure you want me to spend my hours on that.  I understand these are extraordinary times but we must comply with the law."/
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25 #29
Post by: Dr. F. on April 22, 2020, 07:36:08 pm
I think you should submit this question to Ask a Manager. Allison will be able to come up with some phrases to use, and will know for sure how close they're getting to illegality. I think, pretty close. They have to pay you for your time, and that includes checking their discord channel.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25 #29
Post by: Nikko-chan on April 23, 2020, 02:29:37 pm
Yes this is recent due to the pandemic. Upside: HRGuy finally listened and sent me an email to check discord because he poor a message there. Okay then. Supposedly he will send an email for meetings going forward. Hopefully. But then again everyone will be back by Friday so... Hopefully this is moot.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25 #29
Post by: Hanna on April 24, 2020, 01:14:19 am
When you say everyone will be back by Friday, do you mean you are going back full time and/or working in an office?
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25 #29
Post by: Nikko-chan on April 24, 2020, 04:39:27 am
When you say everyone will be back by Friday, do you mean you are going back full time and/or working in an office?

I mean everyone that is been furloughed will come back. Most of us work from home. I work severely part time (4 hours a day).
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25 #29
Post by: Nikko-chan on May 06, 2020, 02:46:45 pm
Last update: I was called monday morning and FIRED because the company I was contracted with let me go, so I was also let go from the parent company.

BUT! I interviewed at two companies today. Well, the second one in fact wasn't even an interview and in fact was a job offer. It's only for six months, but will likely become permanent. And it pays a lot more than the last job. So, alls well that ends well I guess.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25 #29
Post by: PVZFan on May 06, 2020, 03:14:41 pm
Last update: I was called monday morning and FIRED because the company I was contracted with let me go, so I was also let go from the parent company.

BUT! I interviewed at two companies today. Well, the second one in fact wasn't even an interview and in fact was a job offer. It's only for six months, but will likely become permanent. And it pays a lot more than the last job. So, alls well that ends well I guess.

What a wild ride! A better paying job with good prospects is a wonderful ending. And new beginning! Congratulations!
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25 #29 Last update #46
Post by: Chez Miriam on May 12, 2020, 10:20:53 am
That's brilliant news [this bit about the new job, not the firing (although they sounded very unable to adapt to organising themselves in this difficult time; that can be A Sign of how they are as a company)].  I really hope this new company is a great fit for you, and it becomes permanent.
Title: Re: Aaaand another meeting almost missed. Update #25 #29
Post by: LadyJaneinMD on August 06, 2020, 01:15:13 pm
Last update: I was called monday morning and FIRED because the company I was contracted with let me go, so I was also let go from the parent company.

BUT! I interviewed at two companies today. Well, the second one in fact wasn't even an interview and in fact was a job offer. It's only for six months, but will likely become permanent. And it pays a lot more than the last job. So, alls well that ends well I guess.

Well, that's a great update!  I hope it works out.
I had been wondering about that phone thing.  I'm sorry, but unless my company is paying my phone bill, I am NOT using my personal cell phone for anything work-related.