Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
- m@
- Posts: 5112
- Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:20 pm
- Location: Wurundjeri Country
- Contact:
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby m@ » Tue Oct 02, 2012 12:28 pm
Then if he raises it again, politely tell him to mind his own business.
- VRE
- Posts: 582
- Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2012 9:14 am
- Location: Ringwood North, VIC, Australia
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby VRE » Tue Oct 02, 2012 12:39 pm
-
- Posts: 1192
- Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:01 pm
- Location: Bass Hill, NSW
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby r2160 » Tue Oct 02, 2012 1:33 pm
cheers
Glenn
"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever" Lance Armstrong
- jules21
- Posts: 10555
- Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:14 pm
- Location: deep in the pain cave
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby jules21 » Tue Oct 02, 2012 1:39 pm
you people need to be more creative - just drown yourself your Old Spice and try to get a reaction out of herr2160 wrote:I used to work with a woman who felt the need to drown herself in pefume. It got to the point where we couldnt stay in the office with her.
- silentbutdeadly
- Posts: 2294
- Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2010 9:52 am
- Location: Somewhere flat...
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby silentbutdeadly » Tue Oct 02, 2012 1:47 pm
Fish sauce would be more effective than Old Spice...jules21 wrote:you people need to be more creative - just drown yourself your Old Spice and try to get a reaction out of herr2160 wrote:I used to work with a woman who felt the need to drown herself in pefume. It got to the point where we couldnt stay in the office with her.
-
- Posts: 176
- Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2012 9:13 pm
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby GreyhoundCycle » Tue Oct 02, 2012 1:53 pm
It also depend on OP's poistion and how big the company/office is. Btw, do you guys see lots external clients? If yes, it could be a reason.
If my team manager says I can't ride, I wouldn't give a xxxx because there are 3-4 managers on top of her in our 300 employee this office and a global operation.
- DoogleDave
- Posts: 519
- Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2012 7:56 pm
- Location: Taylors Hill, Victoria
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby DoogleDave » Tue Oct 02, 2012 1:57 pm
From this you should receive a warning from your boss with a suggestion to consider if riding to work is the best option.
If you continue to ride and continue to have the same problem then your boss should give you a second warning (but does not have the right to dictate how you travel to and from work).
It would be no different for someone walking to work who sweats easily and has the same problem.
Should they be asked to catch public transport because walking to work is making them smelly? Ridiculous.
But the problem of smelling or looking untidy at work is a fair and valid point to any employer....though in this case it seems you are being convicted before doing the crime (which is wrong).
If it were me I would keep things adult and civil and ask if any complaints had been received about you. If yes, then I'd ask the employer to address them here and now to get it out on the table and out of the way.
If no complaints have been made, then I would suggest to your boss that riding to work is not proving a problem and should any legitimate formal complaints come in from staff or management you will at that time consider your method of transportation to work.
Dave
- jules21
- Posts: 10555
- Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:14 pm
- Location: deep in the pain cave
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby jules21 » Tue Oct 02, 2012 1:58 pm
- goneriding
- Posts: 2246
- Joined: Thu Nov 15, 2007 4:14 pm
- Location: Strathfield
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby goneriding » Tue Oct 02, 2012 2:00 pm
+1m@ wrote:I'd just keep riding to work, but turn up early and make sure you're presentable... change of shirt/bird bath/deo etc.
Then if he raises it again, politely tell him to mind his own business.
If he pushes it, ask him if jogging is ok
-
- Posts: 9810
- Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 11:48 am
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby human909 » Tue Oct 02, 2012 2:04 pm
The work has some rights to care and comment to about the appearance and presentation of its employees. If that is below par then the employee can be informed. Telling the employee how to get to work is not on.DoogleDave wrote:I think your boss has a reasonable argument here if, and only if you have previously come to work and your body odour and attire is less than business-like.
From this you should receive a warning from your boss with a suggestion to consider if riding to work is the best option.
Depends on the business, the structure and the managers. Some places are hierarchical and full of self serving managers. A sad but true reality. (Thankfully my employment isn't like that though.)jules21 wrote:the best way to avoid this type of bullying is to be valuable to your employer and make them want to supply perks like showers and bike parking.
- g-boaf
- Posts: 21497
- Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 6:11 pm
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby g-boaf » Tue Oct 02, 2012 3:14 pm
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/video/223716 ... thlete-Lab" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://sydney.athlete-lab.com/pricing" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I haven't been there myself as that kind of thing doesn't interest me, but it might solve your problem.
Public transport here in Sydney is part of the reason so many people arrive at work in summer smelly and sweaty because they've spent 45min or more on a 35-40 degree C train before arriving at work.DoogleDave wrote:It would be no different for someone walking to work who sweats easily and has the same problem.
Should they be asked to catch public transport because walking to work is making them smelly? Ridiculous.
- jules21
- Posts: 10555
- Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:14 pm
- Location: deep in the pain cave
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby jules21 » Tue Oct 02, 2012 3:38 pm
you do have some say in thathuman909 wrote:Depends on the business, the structure and the managers. Some places are hierarchical and full of self serving managers. A sad but true reality. (Thankfully my employment isn't like that though.)jules21 wrote:the best way to avoid this type of bullying is to be valuable to your employer and make them want to supply perks like showers and bike parking.
-
- Posts: 800
- Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 4:54 pm
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby Uncle Just » Tue Oct 02, 2012 3:45 pm
- birdbrain
- Posts: 811
- Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2009 7:16 pm
- Location: tulla melb
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby birdbrain » Tue Oct 02, 2012 3:59 pm
- find_bruce
- Moderator
- Posts: 10615
- Joined: Mon May 09, 2011 8:42 pm
- Location: Sydney
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby find_bruce » Tue Oct 02, 2012 7:21 pm
Back on page 1birdbrain wrote:I can't see where his boss has actually said why he does'nt want the OP riding to work. The assumption seems to be body odour but there might be another reason and I would ask what is is.
As for your other commentAScyclist21 wrote:Apparently he's worried I, and this is the best bit... I 'Might' show up to work sweaty and smelly. Not really a solid argument.
Its pretty easy to show up clean to work as its essentially flat and downhill the whole way to work from home
Ah that would be wrong - there are examples of where conduct outside working hours can affect your job. Most salacious case was the hot tub incident involving now ex-employees of Telstra.birdbrain wrote:Your workplace has no authority over you before or after working hours. I would document everything in your discussions in case you need it for fair work.
-
- Posts: 12225
- Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2011 3:40 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby jasonc » Tue Oct 02, 2012 7:30 pm
find one from with a competitors logo on itUncle Just wrote:I'm wondering if the boss has seen you in "an embarrasing jersey"?
-
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:06 pm
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby TraceyG » Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:24 pm
I work for an IT company and am strongly encouraged to ride to work. Fortunately we have a shower in the building cos we are building up quite a contingent of smiling cycle commuters! In fact, we are looking at an office relocation and my boss was already onto ensuring that the new place has a shower before I even raised it.
- JustJames
- Posts: 501
- Joined: Sun Feb 06, 2011 1:50 am
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby JustJames » Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:41 pm
There are three sides to every story: your side, his side...and the truth.
http://pedallingcharm.wordpress.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Lukeyboy
- Posts: 3622
- Joined: Tue May 29, 2012 2:38 am
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby Lukeyboy » Wed Oct 03, 2012 10:17 am
RailCorp's grooming standards require employees to check with their manager if they intend to grow facial hair.
They specify "the 'grunge look' is not acceptable", sunglasses are "not to be left resting on top of head", "long sleeves must not be rolled up", and hats and caps "must not be worn at an extreme angle".
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/railcorp-shav ... z28Bs1FxiL" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
-
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Sat Aug 27, 2011 6:00 am
- Location: Sydney, Australia
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby AScyclist21 » Wed Oct 03, 2012 3:42 pm
I kind of want to be told once more so I can bust out the "can I get that in writing?"
Cannondale CAAD10 (2013)
-
- Posts: 9810
- Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 11:48 am
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby human909 » Wed Oct 03, 2012 4:17 pm
Which will do you little good and create an openly combative situation with you boss without achieving anything.AScyclist21 wrote:Yes, that is true but this isn't an issue with appearance or smell. It's an issue with the way I get to work which he has no say in.
I kind of want to be told once more so I can bust out the "can I get that in writing?"
If you do want to arm yourself contact HR at the firm in confidence asking what are the contractual obligations regarding activities outside of work hours. The key thing is to get HR to put in writing the things that you are NOT allowed to do.
If HR are on the ball then they could bring up numerous items such as working for a competitor, bringing the company into disrepute, disclosure of information, etc..... They are NOT going to bring up cycling.
-
- Posts: 749
- Joined: Wed Nov 17, 2010 10:33 pm
- Location: Sydney (Rhodes to City Commuter)
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby Sydguy » Wed Oct 03, 2012 6:20 pm
The recent changes to Work Cover has seen some NSW employers less inclined to 'encourage' participation in Ride2Work day. We now sign a disclaimer at my work place.
My employer is torn between encouraging people to cycle to work and having staff cycle in traffic into Sydney CBD without Work Cover. I see boths sides, but I would probably not cycle unless I had showers and end of trip facilities. That said I would just join a gym, shower there and ride a beaten up single speed that I can chain up anywhere.
JM
-
- Posts: 9810
- Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 11:48 am
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby human909 » Wed Oct 03, 2012 8:10 pm
Could you please elaborate on the contents of this disclaimer!?Sydguy wrote:The recent changes to Work Cover has seen some NSW employers less inclined to 'encourage' participation in Ride2Work day. We now sign a disclaimer at my work place.
-
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 4:50 pm
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby cp123 » Thu Oct 04, 2012 1:02 pm
- ldrcycles
- Posts: 9594
- Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2010 3:19 pm
- Location: Kin Kin, Queensland
Re: Advice needed! Boss doesn't want me riding to work...
Postby ldrcycles » Thu Oct 04, 2012 1:48 pm
My workplace has a garden hose . And my commute is 40k, and i don't hold back. Never had any complaints, just get here a bit earlier and prepare.cp123 wrote:I rode to one workplace that had no showers and i just changed my clothes in a loo. For anyone in a similar situation, washing your face and doing an APC job (arm pits n crutch) with baby wipes removes all traces of pong and sweat and BO. Then use BO basher.
Return to “General Cycling Discussion”
- General Australian Cycling Topics
- Info / announcements
- Buying a bike / parts
- General Cycling Discussion
- The Bike Shed
- Cycling Health
- Cycling Safety and Advocacy
- Women's Cycling
- Bike & Gear Reviews
- Cycling Trade
- Stolen Bikes
- Bicycle FAQs
- The Market Place
- Member to Member Bike and Gear Sales
- Want to Buy, Group Buy, Swap
- My Bikes or Gear Elsewhere
- Serious Biking
- Audax / Randonneuring
- Retro biking
- Commuting
- MTB
- Recumbents
- Fixed Gear/ Single Speed
- Track
- Electric Bicycles
- Cyclocross and Gravel Grinding
- Dragsters / Lowriders / Cruisers
- Children's Bikes
- Cargo Bikes and Utility Cycling
- Road Racing
- Road Biking
- Training
- Time Trial
- Triathlon
- International and National Tours and Events
- Cycle Touring
- Touring Australia
- Touring Overseas
- Touring Bikes and Equipment
- Australia
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Victoria
- ACT
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Country & Regional
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users
- All times are UTC+10:00
- Top
- Delete cookies
About the Australian Cycling Forums
The Australian Cycling Forums is a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.
Bicycles Network Australia
Forum Information
Connect with BNA
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.