[Alberta's Child]

I can see this both ways, and I’m usually one to be a hard-ass when it comes to an employee's work ethic.

If this employee was hired with the expectation that he’d be starting work every day at 9:00AM, then I’m on his side — and it doesn’t matter what he’s doing at 8:00. If the employer had made it clear that an occasional early meeting was part of the expectations for the position, then I’m on this employer’s side.

In either case, I don’t think the employee is doing himself any favors here.

[MortMan]

I agree.

[Jamestown1630]

Your view is reasonable; but given that he’s a new hire, it would be a good idea to make a special effort here, even if he was told that he’d start at 9.

[sphinx]

Ditto. It all depends on what was agreed to when the job was offered and accepted.

Adults will cut each other slack from time to time. But the basic agreed upon hours should be the norm.

An employer is perfectly entitled to weigh an employee’s flexibility in considering promotions, raises, benefits and assignments.

An employee is perfectly entitled to be a strict clock watcher if he or she wishes. And there are sometimes perfectly good reasons for an employee to refuse such a meeting. In my experience, these usually have to do with kids and dropoff/pickup schedules. Inflexible transportation constraints can sometimes arise. A workout class vs. a quarterly meeting? Not a very good reason.

[SecondAmendment]

> In either case, I don’t think the employee is doing himself any favors here.

It depends, there are a lot of details missing here.

Assuming this meeting is outside of the hours specified as part of their responsibilities, was the employee told the day before, or were they given a reasonable warning about this ?

Many employers act like they own you 24/7 and will not honor your personal time you unless you set some clear boundaries and push back.

[Chgogal]

“If this employee was hired with the expectation that he’d be starting work every day at 9:00AM, then I’m on his side — and it doesn’t matter what he’s doing at 8:00. If the employer had made it clear that an occasional early meeting was part of the expectations for the position, then I’m on this employer’s side.“

What BS! My boss tells me, an entry level employee, that we’re meeting at 4 am, I’m there. What part of “Boss” do the you not get? This is an entry level employee! You would allow an entry level employee dictate terms to you? Seriously?

[steve86]

A salaried person — who “they” was — should expect deviations from normal schedule on occasion.