When do you show up at work?

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:41:00 -0400

I consider showing up hours before everyone else has been a key to my success. I can get a whole days work done in one hour with no interruptions.
http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2015/05/12/benefits-of-showing-up-early-to-work/?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000058&intcmp=hplnws

4 Benefits of Showing Up Early to Work Every Day

The early bird catches the first calls. Here are four top benefits to rolling into work bright and early every morning.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Sep 30 at 2015 10:43 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:43:06 -0400

The earlier the better. I get more done prior to anyone getting in. Once others arrive my day is shot helping others.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Sep 30 at 2015 10:44 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:44:37 -0400

I was lucky enough to set my hours when I moved to PNC Bank. I work 7 - 3. Gives me a good 90 minutes to read emails, organize my daily tasks and breath before everyone else comes in.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 10:46 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:46:05 -0400

I'm generally at work 30 minutes or more before my actual "clock" time begins - it allows me to gather my thoughts for the day, self-create my agenda and get focused before the flow of the normal employees begin to show up.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 10:49 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:49:36 -0400

Early is on time. On time is late. I usually get to work between 30-45 mins before clock in. And that is just my civilian job. When I am on Reserve Duty, I like to ensure that I get to the office before the rest of the unit. I like to ensure that my smiley face is the first thing they see when they walk in. Makes them a little paranoid when I have a smile on my face.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 10:53 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:53:50 -0400

I am easily the first person in the building 90% of mornings and it's well worth it. My home life might disagree.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 30 at 2015 11:06 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:06:19 -0400

Depends on the situation. When I first entered the private industry, I was thoroughly indoctrinated as to being on time from the military. I did so and advanced rapidly, not because of the time but what was accomplished. Then to first/second level management to show leadership. Finally, as a middle manager and head of a P&L center, I pretty much made my time since I was called in and travelled all the time. Just before retiring, with the advent of cell phones and pagers, I was on call all the time. When you work for the Germans and Japanese, you belong to them.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Sep 30 at 2015 11:09 AM

SGT Patrick Reno — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:09:13 -0400

We start shift at 6:00 am. I am here by 4:15, Go through the plant start and check key equipment. Then try and get some paper work done before everyone else starts. My days are 10-12 hours.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Sep 30 at 2015 11:11 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:11:42 -0400

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member - I have always been an early arriver at work. Typically, I am at work at least two hours before required and typically was the last to leave. I found that I got much more done before and after the hub-bub of normal duty hours. Even when working from the office in my home, I am in it a couple of hours before required and stay in it all day, even though nobody would know the difference.

When I was working/living in Fort Worth, Texas, as the president of the company (and commuting home to Augusta, GA, on weekends), I would go to the office whenever I woke up, many times at 2, 3 or 4 in the morning, even though normal work hours started at 8:30. I saw no need to simply hang around waiting to go to work (and I was a geographical bachelor during the week). In many regards, it was like a deployment. When you are awake, you are working.

Even at military schools, like the Army War College, many students (including myself) showed up a couple of hours before class time. Just hard to break the habit.

My work ethic is such that extending my required hours (although there is actually no such thing for me) allows me to not feel guilty when I read posts and post things on RallyPoint during "normal duty hours", such as now... :-)

Just one more indicator of being a Type-A.

Response by SSG Alex Toulomelis made Sep 30 at 2015 11:20 AM

SSG Alex Toulomelis — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:20:08 -0400

I have found that the idea of showing up early is not something that is a shared trait with the majority of those that did not serve in the military. My bosses have found it surprising that they can get a response from me when its "outside" normal business hours. Many of my peers believe that I don't do anything because they never see me doing the work, thats because the majority of my administrative duties are complete before anyone is in the office., I get to spend the rest of my day in the field checking on my crews and taking care of emergent issues. Coming in early has been a great benefit to me in the military and in the civilian world.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Sep 30 at 2015 11:50 AM

COL Jon Thompson — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:50:44 -0400

As a DA Civilian now, I have set hours unless I have a special event. I show up at 0800 which is actually good because hardly anyone else is in the office so I can get a lot of things done before people start coming in. It allows me to get set for the day.

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made Sep 30 at 2015 11:52 AM

PO2 Mark Saffell — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:52:38 -0400

I hate rushing or being late

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 11:53 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:53:32 -0400

If you aren't 30 min early, you are 30 min late. I get to work an hour early. I have a good boss and can come in really whenever I want within reason as long as I put in the time.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 11:55 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:55:25 -0400

In all honesty, I am "on call" all the time. I have access to my E-Mail from home and on my phone. I have a home office and depending on the importance of the event coming up, I have been known to track things even while at home. That way I can keep an eye out for time sensitive items that come through. If it is not an emergency I will normally respond when I get back to work, but because we typically have a great response time our boss is more lenient when we have other commitments that come up during work time.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 12:26 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:26:26 -0400

I was extremely fortunate, during the last two phases of my civilian law enforcement career, to be to completely in control of my hours. I was assigned to the normal 0800-1700, Monday through Friday shift. But I was never at work later than 0700, and most days by 0500. I got so much more work done during those times than I did the rest of the day. And I loved going home earlier than the other staff personnel...and missing the six lane, bumper to bumper, rush hour traffic in the Dallas-Ft.Worth Metroplex.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 2:50 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 14:50:17 -0400

I am usually in about 30 minutes early. I find this is great to plan my day and have my morning coffee before anyone is there to bother me. Some days I come in earlier. Tomorrow for example I will be in by 0600, even though the duty does not start until 0730. Just have stuff to get done, that is easier to do without distractions.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 3:14 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 15:14:06 -0400

I usually show up 15 to 30 minutes early. Since I'm often the first guy in the office, it's not for any other purpose than to get going on my day, get settled, log in, etc. I would rather be 15 or more minutes early than even 15 seconds late. And that comes from working in and for the Army the past 40 years!! :-) Good question, by the way, LCDR Private RallyPoint Member.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Oct 1 at 2015 10:30 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 10:30:24 -0400

My job is pretty much laid back as long as work is getting done so I show up when I want.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2015 10:24 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 10:24:05 -0500

I like to arrive early it allows me to catch up on some admin work or just get started on the task for the day.