Dilemma. Advice please??

[MANTIS01]

Surprised by the experiences of some people on this thread. Is poker not something that a lot of people play, OK maybe not to the level of the people who are going to be posting on here but a fair few people who I work with play poker in some way or another, even if it is just a game with mates or just online. Quite surprising that some employers see it this way. I must be very fortunate in this way I guess.

For the OP, either ask for the day off and be honest as to why or don't ask at all. Don't use a funeral as an excuse either, it's pretty easy to see through when somebody does that as well. You are risking your job if you use any kind of excuse and anybody see's you at DTD, there is a live update remember, which is likely to have your picture, and is the MC televised? It's just not worth it, your job should be more important to you than poker.

Most people view poker as a casino based gambling game. And that's exactly what it is. Thinking that your new employer will be happy to accommodate your pursuit of gambling within your working hours is plain crazy. I am an employer of people and I have history in poker so I should understand more than most. What I understand is most people lose at poker whilst convincing themselves it's not really gambling. It is gambling and asking your new boss for time off to go gambling is a bad move period. In fact the reality is that even considering asking the question does in itself show a lack of commitment to your new endeavours. Actually revealing that lack of commitment so early in your employment would be pretty foolish. What you want to do outside of working hours is fine imo but maybe not in every employer's opinion so I wouldn't even mention it.

Mantis

Whilst i think you make some valid points I couldnt disagree with the bolded point more.

If he told you he was running a marathon, doing an iron man, or completing a project building an animal welfare shelter, you wouldnt question his commitment to the job. SO why question his commitment when he is merely taking holiday to undertake his past time?

and btw - holiday is outside of working hours

Mate, I would have the exact same opinion to any of those things. When a new employee starts within my business I want them to be flying out the traps from day 1 and putting their best endeavour into the job I employed them to do. If they came up to me asking for time off in their first week for anything other than an emergency I would frown upon it and would consider it showed a lack of commitment. That is genuinely how I would think. What the new guy wants time off to run a race? Nah mate I would insta say GTFO to that individual.

[Bongo]

yes but you cant question his commitment to his new job! Thats insulting imo

Why isnt the commitment of the marrathon runner questioned?

IF the marathon runner said he had no future plans and then pitched up in week 1 and asked for Friday off to run a marathon then I'd question his commitment.

[outragous76]

@ Mantis - ok fair enough then!

As an aside - do you believe that you will get the best from your employee taking that line?

[outragous76]

yes but you cant question his commitment to his new job! Thats insulting imo

Why isnt the commitment of the marrathon runner questioned?

IF the marathon runner said he had no future plans and then pitched up in week 1 and asked for Friday off to run a marathon then I'd question his commitment.

what if that wasnt the case - it hadnt been discussed at interview - and he bowled up on monday asking for friday off?

[Bongo]

I'd still feel pretty negative about it - surely it could have been mentioned before? It's surely not hard to mention it at some point before the first day of work... just pick up the phone or something.

[BulldozerD]

Just work from home lol.

Btw don't think you have option to transfer or sell the first seat you win

[outragous76]

Just work from home lol.

Btw don't think you have option to transfer or sell the first seat you win

tbf - if that is the case i think you would only ante down to about 20k

[George2Loose]

Agree with mantis on this one

[GreekStein]

Agree with mantis on this one

Can't write the words myself, so quoting George's post.

[cambridgealex]

never tell your employer you play poker - they dont understand

Reminded me about my last works appraisal, was going well untill they asked me.. "so then dean were do you see yourself in the next 2-3 years"  When i said that i'd hope to be playing poker full time, it didn't go down to well... lol

Why would you ever say that at an appraisal!?

this! wtf?!

[MANTIS01]

@ Mantis - ok fair enough then!

As an aside - do you believe that you will get the best from your employee taking that line?

In short yes. The justification for why I say yes would take a lot of writing about and comes from many years of building and managing teams. The new employee needs a clear understanding of my expectations from day 1 and boundaries need enforcing from the outset, not just for the benefit of the new guy but for the continued benefit of the whole team. Sure, I will support employees in their personal endeavours but only after they have shown me they are worthy of this support. That support will come after proving their worth to my business. If a new employee rocks up on day one and expects that support straight away without actually investing any time into the business for me then they wont get it. If that means their performance suffers they can GTFO and I will hire somebody else.

[Leatherman]

never tell your employer you play poker - they dont understand

Reminded me about my last works appraisal, was going well untill they asked me.. "so then dean were do you see yourself in the next 2-3 years"  When i said that i'd hope to be playing poker full time, it didn't go down to well... lol

Why would you ever say that at an appraisal!?

Good question, think i was being honest and slightly deluded at the same time..

[outragous76]

@ Mantis - ok fair enough then!

As an aside - do you believe that you will get the best from your employee taking that line?

In short yes. The justification for why I say yes would take a lot of writing about and comes from many years of building and managing teams. The new employee needs a clear understanding of my expectations from day 1 and boundaries need enforcing from the outset, not just for the benefit of the new guy but for the continued benefit of the whole team. Sure, I will support employees in their personal endeavours but only after they have shown me they are worthy of this support. That support will come after proving their worth to my business. If a new employee rocks up on day one and expects that support straight away without actually investing any time into the business for me then they wont get it. If that means their performance suffers they can GTFO and I will hire somebody else.

You neednt explain - I am aware of your thoughts and management type.

I think in part, these discussions very much depend upon the field that you work in too.

[Acidmouse]

make up some bullshit.....its always a need to know thing with most things involving work.

[BulldozerD]

Yeah depends on what the job is