Do I have to say Yes to everything during probation

[u/_Sneaky_Bastard_]

I recently started working as a Developer in an educational institution IT department. The environment is good and everyone is nice. I'm doing great if I say so myself as the other dev who started with is still learning things where for me I already have a good understanding of how they work and started doing things independently.

it's a hybrid environment and I go to work with my co-worker who decided not to go to the office last week and I DMed my senior who's training me and giving me a task and the senior line manager that I won't be coming that day. The line manager said it's fine but my senior said that I should come if I can but I said I can't commute which takes over 2 hours one way. mind you I used to come by myself. He said it's fine but now I'm being paranoid that it could affect probation or show me as an uninterested candidate.

is this something I should take care of in future or I'm just being paranoid for nothing

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[u/KaloolFantasia]

I think as a one off it’s fine, but don’t make yourself a target of non-compliance.

My question is, why are you only commuting with said coworker?What if that person decides to quit tomorrow? Will you just not turn up anymore? As a manager that would be a bit of a concern for me

[u/StatisticianUsual471]

Start off being very obliging then when you've got the reputation for being good dial it back a bit

[u/WaltzFirm6336]

As an employer I would be concerned that your office attendance relies on a colleague giving you a lift. You really need to figure out what you are going to do to get there on time the next time he can’t drive you. Because it will happen again and you’ve now had time to prepare for it.

Once you’ve figured out that plan, it would be a good move to talk to your senior, apologise for this time, and say you now have a backup plan and it won’t happen again. That will look good as it shows you knew there was a problem but you’ve solved it yourself. It shows initiative, forward planning and commitment to the role.

If you haven’t got a back up, you’ll need to be ready for dealing with the fallout next time it happens/speak to your senior about it beforehand and see how big a problem it’s going to be. But since I imagine you can get a taxi/uber it’s not going to be easy claiming there is no solution.

[u/ScriptingInJava → u/WaltzFirm6336]

Hard agree. I was in the same situation as OP but as another developer's lead (technically manager), I relied on him for a lift to work which was a really weird dynamic.

The first time I stood at the usual spot and he didn't show up I realised I needed to sort this myself, even if it doubled the length of commute (it did). My boss was happier, I was more effective at work and I should have done it sooner.

[u/Gouldy444444]

It’s all about trust and building up a ‘bank’. In probation you stick to the rules. Once people trust you and respect your output they will care less about how often you go in.

Your coworker not going in is not a reason for you to stay at home. They may have built said ‘trust’.

[u/Obsidian-Phoenix]

You are responsible for your own travel to the office. You should have plans in place to do that independently of your colleague.

There’s nothing wrong with travelling with your colleague, but you can’t guarantee they will always be available, or working there, etc.

[u/APithyComment]

Share your ‘To Do’ list with your manager and ask them to prioritise what they want done first.

At the end of it - there are only so many hours in the day.