Here's something that has been debated on my team, wanted to see if anyone had a similar situation/insight.
For facts, the team I'm on is hybrid, couple days in the office.
We had a "new" individual start on our team ~7 months ago. Seems like a good person, get along with everyone, fits in mostly. Since starting, this individual has some strange activities, mainly, comes in everyday (so not hybrid; they also have close to an hour commute, so you'd think they wouldn't want to do it everyday) takes between a 2-3 hour lunch/break. Just gets up and disappears for a big chunk of the afternoon. Sometimes an extended break later in the day as well. (Our team is pretty entrepreneurial, nothing is micro managed. Basically get work done as needed and keep clients happy, so its possible to be gone that long). No one really wants to confront this individual as (a) none of the higher ups seem to care (b) its not really our business. Just seems very strange, wanted to know if anyone would have ideas of what could be going on or if they were in an experience where an employee just left for part of the day.
Ideas that have been kicked around of what could be going on:
1. an affair/thing on the side
2. Extended gym break with shower/sauna
3. Just a super extended lunch
4. Multiple jobs
Stop trying to out me.
And you said it yourself: "Basically get work done as needed and keep clients happy, so its possible to be gone that long". Kind of my motto.
They're W-2, not 1099. Salary, not hourly.
Interesting
Sometimes I go to the stairwell, walk down ~40 flights then right back up to break up my day
I used to do neuroscience research at a hospital that encouraged taking the stairs. Some days I would do legs before work and completely blow out my quads. Then at times a coworker and I would have to go to the pharmacy together 6 floors down. I would say 'lets just take the elevators' and they would say 'no the stairs is much healthier!' I would feel like I was dying haha but smiled amidst the pain.
you have absolutely zero problem solving skills. literally just follow him
Do you want me to reach out to him and ask him for you?
My guess would be extended workouts. If I was able to go to the office and leave for 2.5 hours to get a solid workout in and then shower, I would come in far more regularly. It is really brutal to lift for 2 hour increments and have to start at 7-8 PM after getting home from work. If the dude is clearly in above average shape, this would likely explain it. If you're spending 2+ in the gym and dont look like a body builder or a powerlifter you're just straight up bad at working out, do a ton of cardio, or dont eat correctly.
He could also have a GF that WFH near the office and maybe he drops by to spend time with her?
Just my $0.02
i leave for like 1.5 hrs every day. 45 minute shit and 45 minute lunch
45min sh**? What is wrong with you? Taco Bell addiction?
-
It's a thinkin' seat
I think you should not spin your wheels on this unless he/she isn’t pulling their weight.
Strong cliché to word ratio
Bro why don't you just ask him?
The simplest solution is sometimes the best.
Just try asking him out for lunch one of the days and see how he responds.
Workouts for sure. Honestly if no one cares you should also consider a midday workout or long lunch, clearly it's not impacting their work and it's a nice break
I like working out mid-day. Nice recharge for the second half and frankly the workout energy more than pays off in increased focus and energy.
He takes off midday to fight crime.
If he is getting his work done, why is this an issue? Also, lot's of people work for an hour or two in the evening as well.
Not really an issue, just something I think about when I see it.
Also makes me "think" I could almost get a second job like people were doing during the peak of COVID. Wonder if anyone is still doing that?
He is paid per productivity not per hour. It shouldnt matter.
I know in the past I was a screw up. I did this, and the reason was I had drugs/crime to do (unfortunately). My point is: he could be up to anything! I would follow him (like someone above mentioned) to see and/or confront him in a "chill" way... then tell us the results!
you watched too many movies
He is interviewing for buyside roles - prove me wrong
I worked with a guy who moonlighted as a courier. He started randomly leaving with lame excuses for kids, church, doctor, car repair, etc. I bet he was slinging a few deliveries here and there.
probably 2.
I also go to gym during lunch time for about 2 hours (1 hour to work out and 1 hour to get dressed, changed, pack, take shower, walk, etc.) because I can't wake up to work out before work and after work I don't have energy anymore or have plans.
lol wut - 1hr to get dressed?!?
10 min to get dressed and pack, 10 min to walk x 2, 5 min to change x 2, 20 min for shower and to apply skin care products.
Maybe he goes home to walk his dog. Since he's an hour away, that could be it. Oddly enough a VP I used to work with pre-pandemic did this. Suffice to say, he didn't stick around long.
I used to have the nickname “the ninja” because I would disappear for hours during the work day without telling anyone, but still get all my work done and do it better than anyone else.
What I was doing was working on my own deals (the deal of the century). Too small for my employer to be interested in. This was in my late 20’s, early 30’s. Also, I was getting a MBA part time (they knew about it when they hired me), and sometimes there were events, etc. Also, I was taking care of my dad who had dementia.
When you do this, it’s best to keep it to yourself. You can talk about taking care of a family member, most people are sympathetic - but only to the extent you pull your weight.
I also used to work until 2am a lot, and my boss was an early riser, so used to joke that we ran a 24/7 operation.
Career Observation:
So what eventually happened to me? I eventually got fired after four years. My carried interest got forfeited upon termination (per contract - that’s why I said carry can be a mirage). I was terminated not because of being the ninja, but because the company changed so much from an entrepreneurial start up-like company to a global brand. My skillset and personality didn’t fit the more corporate mold and I had a natural resistance to silo’ing myself in roles that didn’t match my personality (new roles that a blue chip company would hire for and attract many candidates). If I look back, the ninja was and is who I am, and the early stage company was where I thrived. However, I often wonder could I have faked the company line and led a more comfortable life; but then I observed that I was the first of many from the start-up days that got canned, and my departure was part of a major culture shift. The company changed and became more ruthless.
Your post reminded me those earlier times. If your co-worker is being the ninja, recognize that nothing really stays the same. While you are observing him/her, you might miss the tectonic shifts in the company to adjust to. Worry about yourself more. In 5 years, it is unlikely (less than 25%) you both will still be working at that company.
Preach fellow ninja. I didn't get that nickname, but similar experience. Was always first in the office by 8, left at 4:30 (they wanted a 9-6 schedule and I said toss that because I'll still get it all done and I'll be available after hours anyways. Sure enough, when doing WFH days I'd be on at 7ish and already talking with the east coast clients), ate lunch at my desk for a quicker lunch break, would take 15 minute breaks and not tell anyone for sanity and stress, still pulled all nighters, got all the work done and way above par, silo'ed myself in a separate office so I could get the work done, but the company culture changed from up on high and my behavior was ruled out so I was tossed out.
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