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Corporate Johny Johny Yes Papa
Are kickbacks common in the corporate world?
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I would have confirmed first. I also would refuse a 7am meeting.
I agree with refusing the meeting. In my opinion, it is rude to send the meeting request without checking in first. It’s not rude or uncooperative to set that boundary.
Depending on the context, I might have refused a meeting that early. But, in the spirt of workplace comity I might have accepted it but made it clear it was a one off. I was in a situation a few years ago where I had to get up really early to attend virtual meetings with people in Europe, and it was a hassle but at least I had plenty of warning about it. In that case the novelty of it made it kind of interesting, but that wore off quickly.
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I wouldn’t have any issue if it was something I had committed to or saw coming. This one just came completely out of the blue.
Yes I would send a confirmation email to see if they’re available. However, if it’s a high priority project or client there might not be time to do so and it’s just understood you have to be flexible. I’ve gotten on 5AM calls because that’s what worked for everyone across 3-4 time zones.
It could also be that you’re invited but not expected to attend. I’d confirm this with them as well - whether your attendance is required.
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I would have been completely fine accepting the call if it were client-related, but that wasn’t the case here. Also, the invite included me, the sender, and one other person, so I was pretty sure he expected me to attend, lol.
Just decline and ask them to schedule during your working hours if your attendance is required. They probably didn't even realise you are in a different location or what the time zone difference is. In my experience people are mostly just careless and will happily reschedule if you just ask.
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Thanks—that might have been the case. I always try to be mindful of accommodating people in different time zones, but I understand not everyone pays the same level of attention to that.
I block my calendar out for times I am not available that way they can only see times I am free for a call.
I block 5pm - 8 am every day as I had to set boundaries.
If you received the request during your normal business hours, just respond and say “sorry that it outside of my working hours, can we move it to xyz?“
Sometimes people forget to verify a meeting time or maybe calculate the time difference wrong and it’s ok to just reach out and find a better time that works for both of you.
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Yeah that's a good point. The sender might have calculated the time difference incorrectly.
Yeah I would decline that, although to be honest, I probably wouldn’t have even seen it before I logged on. My guess is they’ve either forgotten or miscalculated the time difference. I would expect someone to ask first because although I’m happy to be flexible, it does mean I’d need to make the necessary arrangements to make a call outside of usual working hours
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I wish I hadn’t seen it! He sent it right before I logged off the day before the call lol.
You can set up your calendar for on/off times
In my experience, people are understanding. I’ve worked within most time zones with a young family and many demands and it’s a give and take. I would need notice for an early meeting.
I would set the expectations. For me, it would be rare for me to be available at 7am for a call. I would need notice. Unless it’s urgent, I would decline and find a new time.