Would You Take Your Boss up on It?

IIf I had met all my deadlines and no one was waiting on me for additional information I would totally take the time.

I am salaried so my pay does not change when I stay late and or get to work early to meet my deadlines.

I totally would!!!
Not everyday, but a day or two if I really have to.
I used to have a boss like that, so I'd really feel free and comfortable like that. However, she did give me that allowance because I was a good employee and always on time. My point is, maybe you earned it, and if you did, why not enjoy it?

Good Luck!

Yep, my boss gives me that option all the time and if it's not going to make my next day a harder work day for it, I DO IT.

I agree with the previous poster who pointed out that your boss made this gesture to you and feels good about it (or they wouldn't have made it in the first place). If you do not take them up on it, (maybe not every day, but at least a couple of times) then you, in effect, are stealing their joy from giving it to you.

Let them feel generous and warm inside for doing a generous thing! Go! Not every single day, but do go early some. And pop in their office (if you have that sort of situation where it is appropriate to do so) and say "I'm going early to take care of some Christmas stuff. Anything you need me to do before I head out... ?"
If there is, take care of it. Otherwise, watch the smiles on your boss's face when they see what a wonderful thing they have done for you. :)

Enjoy!

ETA: I just assumed that you were salaried. I was. And it's the kind of thing my boss would have done... He even let me stay late some to "earn comp time" so I could take more than what was left of my allotted vacation time later on (for my honeymoon).
Small businesses can be wonderful.
:)

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I would take her up on it for two reasons. First, it's great to have time off. But second and more important - your boss is reaching out to you with a very nice gesture. You should accept it and let her feel generous. So, how many times would I leave early? Two or three days a week, probably. Not every day... but more days than not.

Yes I would. I would not take her up on it every day maybe m-w-f. Wow I wish my boss would do this. What a nice gesture.

I would definitely take her up on it. What a nice gesture on her part! I'm lucky enough to also have a boss who does random acts of kindness like this quite often. While bonuses and gifts and all that are GREAT.....these type of things really mean a lot to employees too!

I would take her up on it a few days a week. So long as your work is done, I don't see a problem with it. Maybe pop your head into her office before you leave and say....."I'm taking you up on your offer today unless you have something you need help with, then I'd be happy to stay". Lets her know that you are appreciative, but willing to stay if she needs you.

If you're salaried and your work is done, then yes. (Salaried positions are paid for the work accomplished, not by the hour.) Of course, when your company gets busy, your boss will expect you to pitch in and stay later, which you should also do.

The only thing you might want to be careful of is the perception from your co-workers or assistant that you are favored. Since I am a Human Resources Director, I get to listen to the other gossipy end of this issue.

Enjoy that extra time!

Yes - as a mom who does't get time to herself I would GREATLY appreciate that extra half hour. But I would definitely make sure my work was complete and no one was waiting on me for anything.

I would also make sure no one needs your help before I left too.

Absolutely. she wouldn't have offered it if she didn't want you to take her up on it. If something comes up, of course you should stay, but if your desk is straight, why not take a little extra time for yourself!

I guess you could say I do have a boss that tells us we can do this. I am a teacher and for the 2 1/2 weeks between the Thanksgiving break and the winter break our principal tells us we can wear jeans every day and leave at 3:30 every day. (Our contract time ends at 4.) But most of us stay at school until 4:30 or later every day, regardless of the time of year. We just have way too much work to do, there is no way I could leave at 3:30. I try to make myself leave "on time" at least once a week, but I don't do a very good job of actually following through.

I also have a heard time wearing jeans every day. It just doesn't feel right. I feel too sloppy and although I know we were told we could, I still feel like people are judging.

I would. I might do something really nice for the boss too.

Sure! Use it when you need it. Keep it in mind when planning your days. I wouldn't leave at 4:40 every day from now til Christmas, but I would do it a few times.....I'm thinking twice per weekish.

No strings attached? Then SURE!!

Not everyday but maybe on Wednesdays, seems to be my busiest day of the week as far as activities. And possbily Friday since our Fridays are super slow after 4.

I would do it for sure. And if it's slow I would do it as often as possible. I am sure your boss knows how hard you work and there are lots of things to get done around this time. If you don't feel comfortable doing it everyday do it maybe two or three days a week. Since you are salary you probably work more hours than you are paid in the long run anyways! I know that's how my husband is.

I would, but only 2-3 times in a week. Definitely make sure to get in on time in the mornings, and get your FANTASTIC boss an awesome Christmas present. Enjoy!

Gotta love it when people respond that don't read the ENTIRE post.. anyway.
I would if you needed the time off. A day or two wouldn't hurt. And while you're out, get that boss a giftcard.

absolutely!
Maybe not every day, but if my work was done ...

I'm wondering how to fill out the time card. I imagine you wouldn't get paid for the full day, or do you? I would definitely check in with the boss before leaving to say you are caught up, ask if there is anything that needs to be done, and then say you'll take them up on their offer.

I know of places that do this but don't know how time cards are filled out.

If I had everything done I'd probably do it a couple times a week. Obviously she knows that you've stayed when needed beyond your 8 hrs so she's giving you a nice reward.

Yep, as long as everything was done.

My old boss used to play the "go home early game", so every month we would draw names or numbers and they would let us out (time paid) starting two hours early.

It was always nice! But, there were times that some of the department had to decline because they were working on important projects.

I would, but not everyday. You don't want to take advantage of the generosity.

Maybe your boss is doing that in leiu of a Christmas bonus...in that case your awesome boss is a cheap boss too. Sure...I'd do it in a heartbeat!

I'm late responding on this one....ABSOLUTELY, yes, you should, if you need to.

My husband offers this flexibility all the time to his staff, not just Christmas. His attitude is, as long as the work is done, and we're on schedule, take the personal time. And consequently, he has a staff that puts in the extra hours when needed without complaint, because he comps them and allows that personal time management.

Sounds like you have an empathetic boss.

Absolutely but maybe not EVERY day. Maybe stay until the normal time on Monday (Monday's are always a bear!). Definately leave early on Friday (who doesn't want that?). Play it by ear on the other days...leave one day 1/2 hour early, 15 minutes another day...and be sure to thank her and see if there is anything she needs before you leave (like an hour or so before so you can still get out on time or early).

I would, as long as your work is done for the day and your boss will not be left hanging with something.

Yes! I would just check in before leaving, telling her that everything is done, but wanted to check to see if there was anything more she wanted you to do before you left.

Yes, absolutely. Just make sure that you are completely caught up with your work before you go. Enjoy!

I would take the boss up on it, but maybe once or twice over the next few weeks - definately no more than that!

I'm assuming since you clock in and out - you are an hourly employee, so like another person said - it could be considered time fraud and even though your boss might be swesome - if other's around (not sure what type of place you work at) catch wind, it could come back to bite you.

I have a boss like that, however, i am salary and he will usually say to take off a little early on a friday after we had a long week in the office or lunch meetings...so it compensates for the extra hours I put in.

No.

But I would thank her profusely and tell her I thought that was super generous of her. I wouldn't tell her I was or was not going to do it.

I have trust issues. I would feel like I only THINK she is an awesome boss and she is really testing me to see if I am dedicated to my job or some loser slacker with kids who can't handle it during the chrismas season.

*sigh*

I also used to have an HR function. Technically it's timesheet fraud if you leave early and don't clock out. I know..... I'm a killjoy.

*sigh*

if it was me i would do it, but not everyday, just enough for me to actually get things done, and i would let my awesome boss know what i was up to and what i had gotten done so that it can feel validated. thats just me though!

I would do so occasionally, or take a longer lunch. I had a boss that would grant us time like that (we just had to tell her we were using it) because she knew that due to our location, most of us did not leave for lunch. We could either stay in place and take a full hour and work a full week, or we could take a half hour lunch and at the end of the week we could have a short day (early leave or late start) to deal with errands. You had to keep up with your tasks, of course.

In the federal government, they also have the "fifty nine minute rule" where occasionally a boss can reward you with 59 minutes of leave. Usually people wait for the President to hand down 59 minutes before a major holiday.

If she is so awesome, I'm sure she would clarify the intent of her statement for you. :)

That IS an awesome boss. If it's slow and you've got your work done I say leave a little early a few days here and there. I assume there have been busy days that you've had to stay later, etc, - if so it's jsut a way for your boss to make it up to you. (Be cautious however, if you work for a big company and your time sheets say you stayed the entire time when you left early. That can get you in trouble in the future.)

I would. maybe not everyday. But, if I was beat, or had something to do, why not?

I would accept her generosity a couple/few times per week. It sounds like a great situation and I'm sure you would help her out when it gets busy. It's all good!

I guess it would depend.
Do you get paid for the time off?
Can you afford to lose the time?

I had a boss who was cutting hours to the extent it didn't matter if we came in late, took two hours for lunch, left an hour early...didn't come in at all.
It was a matter of saving on payroll. As a single mom with no other income, that wasn't a huge benefit to me.
Just saying.

If you can afford to miss the time, if it helps your boss in some way, if it's mutually beneficial, why not? You won't get fired for taking what she offered, right?

I've had Scrooge bosses that wouldn't let me leave 15 minutes early even though it was dark with storm and flood warnings between work and home and I had the longest commute.

If you have an awesome boss....be thankful.

Best wishes.

Yes! I would take her up on it EVERY single day!! Especially if you say sh'es an awesome boss, it doesn't seem like there will be repercussions (i.e. she's not "testing" you). Obviously, if something crazy happens and you need to stay the full 8 hours, do so but otherwise, count your blessings!

One of the things I learned in the military... when people say you can go home... go home. OTW you'll end up stuck doing something AFTER it's time to go home.

Now... if I had work to be done, I'd stay. Most of the time. Other times, I'll take the advice and come back with fresh eyes in the morning.

All of this isn't speculative... it's what I've done, so it's probably what I will continue to do in the future.