baron von trail 

Recently I moved from the plant where I had my own private office to the new sales & management facility where I have a nice roomy cubicle in an open floor plan. Long story short, I never really altered my routine, which was to change clothes at my desk while a fan blew on me. It worked great, and the cubicle walls are somewhat private. I also used a large towel to cover myself while changing. So, no one would see much if they walked by. It was a semi-private condition, unlikely anyone can be offended.

Well, on Friday, SHTF. HR called me into the office with a list of complaints. Changing in the open area and storing my bike clothes in my office topped the list. Other complaints were spending too much time changing and preparing my bike for rides home or putting it away on arrival. Also a gripe was me walking from the sales facility to the plant when needed instead of driving: 5 minutes versus maybe 12.

The changing issue I can deal with. The time thing irks me a bit because I am salary. I like the job, so I stfu and took my medicine. I guess I am venting now.

silverado8405

Sounds like you have some people that need to mind their own business. I'm assuming you're like everyone else and get ready for the ride home after your time is up, so why do they give a flying crap about how long it takes you to get ready to leave? Same with putting it away, I'm assuming you're at your desk ready to work at the appropriate time so again, why do they care? Do your bike clothes stink? I can see a complaint about that but it's easy to solve. It really hits a nerve on me when people can't keep their nose where it belongs because it usually means you're becoming a target/scapegoat for them to direct the attention away from whatever mortal sin they're currently committing.

Gresp15C

You could beat a 12 minute drive between buildings if you keep an old one-speed at work for that purpose. Show 'em.

Actually, it's probably just best to keep a low profile for a while, and the whole matter will be forgotten about. If you're salaried, then ask them if they'd like you to turn in a time sheet every week. They will have to tell you not to do that.

ThermionicScott 

I have to charge my time, even though I'm salaried. Go ahead and call their bluff!

TenSpeedV2

Why would you change at your desk/cubicle? No bathroom or locker room available? I can see the issue with that. Not appropriate in any office setting honestly.

wolfchild

I am not surprised that your office co-workers complained...Next time use a bathroom or some other more private location like a stock room or utility room or something to change your clothes. Or get a different job.

alan s 

I agree with the people who are complaining. It is inappropriate to change in a cube, and you are wasting company time by walking. Need to figure out something that works for your employer. Unless you own the company, the next step is they will fire you.

CrankyOne

I've lived and worked in numerous countries including a couple where it wasn't unusual for co-workers (of both genders) to see each other nude at a beach or sauna or to even go to sauna together. In none of these would changing in a cube be appropriate nor would hanging stinky clothes to dry. And we wonder why cyclists have such a poor reputation.

On walking to the factory, are there people waiting on you? It's likely not your time they're concerned about so much as your wasting others time.

gregf83 

I'm not clear on the relevance of being salaried. You still need to be time efficient and going for a 12min stroll when you're needed urgently could be a problem in the eyes of others.

baron von trail 

It was convenient, and was done when only males were around. But, I agree, it's a legitimate complaint.

Wanderer

Everything you are doing is unreasonable! Them not providing transportation between your office, and the plant, is unreasonable!

baron von trail 

Clothes do not stink, but them hanging is inappropriate for the "sales" facility. I can understand that. And, I will find a less obnoxious location to hang them.

The time thing is another matter. I need to stop doing anything bike-related between 8 and 5. I have been clipping minutes in that regard. So, it's a legitimate complaint. My excuse is there are of course may times when I am there before 8 and after 5, but no one cares about that.

baron von trail 

THat's the one issue that irks me the most. If I use a car to drive the 2 miles, it's wasteful and not good for my car. If I take a walk shortcut, the distance is a mile. THe time to drive and walk is not that much different--7 minutes, I timed it (maybe less if you count parking and going in the other door instead of a more direct route). But, it's their company.

Wanderer

In that case, I'd count every second, both uses. Then present that to them if it's in your favor. Time - portal to portal. In this case, from your desk, to the FINAL destination. EVERY SECOND!

kickstart

I deliver to many Boeing complexes which are huge, their solution? Countless Worksman bicycles and tricycles.

look566 rider

I am going to assume, unless you say otherwise, that there are more than likely cigarette users/abusers in your office? Could these be the same people who have filed these complaints? Gee... Maybe you could take time to go outside and "smoke" with them however many times a day this happens.

This little standard has bothered me in the past at work. We have to accommodate their addiction, but no, we perform "out of the box" actions and we're the devil.

caloso

Changing in a cubicle is weird and creepy. I'd complain too.

mconlonx

I'd probably stand and stare at the fine hunk of manhood that is BVT, were I to catch him changing at his cubicle. Hubba-hubba! Wait, while I'm 100% not-gay (NTTAWWT), would that open the possibility of sexual harassment charges...?

Mr IGH

OP, I'm sorry your workplace is full of poop-heads, I can't imagine how all of this came to an HR intervention. And never come to BF with a sad story, there's lots of know-it-alls here....

baron von trail 

thanks

baron von trail 

First thought that crossed my mind. "You mean to tell me you have all these people standing around smoking cigs on company time, and you're whining about me wasting time to do something healthy!!!"

Some of the complaints made sense: changing in an "open area," hanging clothes and a towel in an office. Ok. I get it. Not appropriate. But, making a big deal out of me trimming minutes off the days I commute when I work without breaks and often take no lunch or work late when needed...that irks me. For sure.

Wanderer

Working without breaks, starting early, and staying late - are all your choices, and don't belong in the argument. Nor, do the acts of others. Make your case strictly on time consumed - time it both ways, to see if it makes any difference. Then, ask for company transportation, or mileage, for whatever they require for transport.

Make YOUR best case.

baron von trail 

My plan is to buckle under, follow the rules. Bum rides between buildings on one of the trucks. Last thing I need is to draw too much attention to myself.

It's not like I want them digging into everything I do. If you know what I mean.

Gresp15C

Salaried workers are not supposed to count their time. If they have to count their time, then they become hourly workers, and are entitled to overtime pay, among other things. Abuse of "salaried vs hourly" results in endless lawsuits against employers every year.

Two things could be happening to the OP: 1) Their employer is clueless, and waiting for a lawsuit. 2) The time sheet is only for internal accounting. When I was a supervisor, my salaried employees filled out time sheets, but they were for the purpose of allocating their pay to different internal accounts. I was told quite emphatically that I was not allowed to count their total hours.

Gresp15C

Did they make you sign anything? If not, then the best thing to do is lie low and wait for it to blow over, or for the current crop of managers to move on. If you signed some sort of document pertaining to the conversation with HR, then you might consider making sure your resume is up to date.

One possible thing to do is promise to take those 12 minutes off your lunch break.