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So I started a new job today, nothing big, just generic factory work. But I had major issues with it. They're as follows:

1. I'm meant to have an electronic timecard, which I use to clock in and out of work. I don't have one yet so I need to use a timesheet. I wasn't given one.

2. I wasn't given any hours to work this week, beyond today's, and the hours I worked today were changed at the last minute to a set of hours which ends at a time when I cannot physically get home.

3. I wasn't told what clothes I needed to bring to fit in with their guidelines, and when I got there in a pair of shorts and a t shirt (It was a sunny day) the employers got stressy.

Those are the main three that infuriate me, and what I'd like to know is how to deal with them and if I'm in my right to complain.

Ask your supervisor?
And as a rule of thump my mom told, shorts are never good for any job.

 thedarkavenger wrote:
So I started a new job today, nothing big, just generic factory work. But I had major issues with it. They're as follows:

1. I'm meant to have an electronic timecard, which I use to clock in and out of work. I don't have one yet so I need to use a timesheet. I wasn't given one.

2. I wasn't given any hours to work this week, beyond today's, and the hours I worked today were changed at the last minute to a set of hours which ends at a time when I cannot physically get home.

3. I wasn't told what clothes I needed to bring to fit in with their guidelines, and when I got there in a pair of shorts and a t shirt (It was a sunny day) the employers got stressy.

Those are the main three that infuriate me, and what I'd like to know is how to deal with them and if I'm in my right to complain.

1. Sometimes things are overlooked at induction, or there simply wasn't enough. Did you ask for a timecard or timesheet when none was provided?
2. Did you raise any concerns at the time of your interview over times when you were unable to work due to transportation issues?
3. You turned up for your first day of work wearing shorts and a t-shirt and you wonder why they "got stressy"? First impressions mean a lot and if you show up on your first day looking like you aren't taking the job seriously then it is very possible that your employer will "get stressy". Did it ever occur to you to ask them what the dress code was, or if there was one, before you started?

I'll be honest - those aren't major issues. They are small issues arising from a failure to communicate on the part of one or more parties. If you think that the best course of action for you to follow is to make a complaint after one day in a new job, then that is a choice for you to make. It isn't something that I would advise though.

Talk to you supervisor indeed.

Check in with them and straighten everything out otherwise it sounds a bit fishy.

also unless you work in some sort of postal/package delivery service shorts are a no no.

 Dreadclaw69 wrote:


1. Sometimes things are overlooked at induction, or there simply wasn't enough. Did you ask for a timecard or timesheet when none was provided?
2. Did you raise any concerns at the time of your interview over times when you were unable to work due to transportation issues?
3. You turned up for your first day of work wearing shorts and a t-shirt and you wonder why they "got stressy"? First impressions mean a lot and if you show up on your first day looking like you aren't taking the job seriously then it is very possible that your employer will "get stressy". Did it ever occur to you to ask them what the dress code was, or if there was one, before you started?

I'll be honest - those aren't major issues. They are small issues arising from a failure to communicate on the part of one or more parties. If you think that the best course of action for you to follow is to make a complaint after one day in a new job, then that is a choice for you to make. It isn't something that I would advise though.

I did indeed try to ask for a time card, but when I did, the people there who provide the timesheets had all gone home and locked up the office.

As for the time of the shift, I signed up for a shift that would have meant that I can get home. I was phoned up 2 hours before my shift and informed that my shift was delayed.

I turned up to the interview and induction in the standard suit and tie, and told to dress casually. The only uniform provided by the job is a coat, hairnet, and earbuds. I was told that all that was provided during the interview, but not informed of the dress code, which was a pair of trousers.

 thedarkavenger wrote:
I did indeed try to ask for a time card, but when I did, the people there who provide the timesheets had all gone home and locked up the office.

As for the time of the shift, I signed up for a shift that would have meant that I can get home. I was phoned up 2 hours before my shift and informed that my shift was delayed.

I turned up to the interview and induction in the standard suit and tie, and told to dress casually. The only uniform provided by the job is a coat, hairnet, and earbuds. I was told that all that was provided during the interview, but not informed of the dress code, which was a pair of trousers.

1. Sounds like a minor oversight and easily corrected.
2. Did you explain the fact that you could not get home to your employers? Again, did you mention to them at the interview or after that there were times that you could not work because of transportation issues.
3. Normally when HR or your interviewer says casual they don't mean shorts and a t-shirt. It means long trousers, and a long sleeved shirt/top that looks professional. This isn't an uncommon thing.

Again, my own personal opinion is that looking to complain over minor issues one day into a new job that you showed up to in shorts and a t-shirt is not the most auspicious start if you want to be employed by that company for any period of time. As others have suggested speak with your supervisor/manager about having a timecard/sheet provided, if you haven't already mention the issues that you have with transport, and explain that there was a misunderstanding about the dress code and that you do take the job seriously.

 thedarkavenger wrote:
So I started a new job today, nothing big, just generic factory work. But I had major issues with it. They're as follows:

1. I'm meant to have an electronic timecard, which I use to clock in and out of work. I don't have one yet so I need to use a timesheet. I wasn't given one.

What hotsauce said.

2. I wasn't given any hours to work this week, beyond today's, and the hours I worked today were changed at the last minute to a set of hours which ends at a time when I cannot physically get home.

What hotsauce said

3. I wasn't told what clothes I needed to bring to fit in with their guidelines, and when I got there in a pair of shorts and a t shirt (It was a sunny day) the employers got stressy.

You're working a freaking factory job. For all we know, your factory might require pants for insurance purposes. I'm picturing you running around in short shorts with welding sparks arcing all over the place. Get over it and get professional. And welcome to the real world.

I'd like to know is how to deal with them and if I'm in my right to complain.

You are in your right to quit, at any moment. No right to complain. Welcome to the real world.

I'll start by saying, to anyone about to offer anything approaching legal advice etc - please bear in mind this is from a UK poster. So, with that said.

 thedarkavenger wrote:
1. I'm meant to have an electronic timecard, which I use to clock in and out of work. I don't have one yet so I need to use a timesheet. I wasn't given one.

Might seem a bit iffy at first, but easily overlooked - especially at this time of year when a LOT of people take their holidays. Don't fret over it, but do make a written note of your times and bring it up with your supervisor/manager first chance you get. If you work any unusual hours at all, you will have to get used to the idea of the office workers not necessarily being there or being available while you're working your shift.

2. I wasn't given any hours to work this week, beyond today's, and the hours I worked today were changed at the last minute to a set of hours which ends at a time when I cannot physically get home.

This is a legitimate problem. The hours should have been outlined as part of the job offer or the employment contract, or both. If this was changed, you need to point out that you can't get home under the new hours - while I can't say I would expect an employer to change it after the fact, I wouldn't expect them to pull that crap in the first place either. If you can't come to an arrangement, it's time to quit.
On the other hand - if you weren't given start and end times for the job role as a whole, and getting in and back is a possible issue, I wouldn't have accepted it without checking further in the first place.

3. I wasn't told what clothes I needed to bring to fit in with their guidelines, and when I got there in a pair of shorts and a t shirt (It was a sunny day) the employers got stressy.

I'm going to guess you've not been in a proper job before... or at least, not anything approaching normal. So here's one for free. *NEVER WEAR SHORTS.* It looks horrifically unprofessional, even for something that you would think wouldn't matter like factory or warehouse work - if in doubt, start out by turning up smart and check out what other people are wearing.
Again, though, a dress code is something that really should've been outlined in a contract.

Overall question - do you have an employment contract yet? YOU NEED THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. This outlines the hours you're expected to work, your pay, work policies regarding holiday, sick pay etc. - all the important stuff. I personally will not start work at a job without this in place and would urge others to do the same. If you've already started, you need to have this within the week, or else you know you're just being messed around.