February 2012 Moms

Who does this? Run errands at lunch?

It was mentioned below that working moms can run errands on their lunch breaks.  Does anyone really do this?  At every job i have had JI work through lunch for the most part.  If I do take a lunch I almost never leave and don't know what errands I would do anyway.  I work too far from home to do things like dry cleaning...I don't want to run to the grocery store and leave food in my car all day (or bring it in and try to remember to take it home at the end of the day!).

The only thing I really do is hit up the post office once or twice a year (as needed).  I don't go out for lunch either (cafeteria in the building) so maybe that is the difference?

Just wondering who uses lunch to run errands?  Maybe I'm missing out on something awesome!

Lilypie - (JrNi)

Lilypie - (y35Q)

Re: Who does this? Run errands at lunch?

  • I only get a 30min lunch. That's not even enough time to go out to eat, let alone run errands. I pack my lunch and run errands after I pick up DD from daycare. I get off work at 3:30, so I still usually get home by 5:30 :)

     
    A+S | Met 8/24/06 | Married 9/27/08
    Started TTC 12/2008 | dx PCOS 5/2009
    6 failed clomid/femara/TI cycles, 1 failed clomid/ovidrel/IUI cycle
    Successful Cycle: 5/12/11 - 1000mg Metformin + 100mg Clomid(late response) + TI = BFP

    2/13/12 - We proudly welcomed our daughter, Hadley Teresa!
    Lots of Luck to all of 3T/IF

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  • I get an hour but I never take the full time, even if I do run out.

    I think this is a myth!  It is like one of the reasons people give for being a perk to working, "but you can run errands on your lunch break!"  Ummmm.....nope!

    Lilypie - (JrNi)

    Lilypie - (y35Q)

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  • DH works a mile from home so he comes home for lunch and will occasionally run to the store or post office for me.

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  • The idea is laughable.  I am on back to back calls today from 9-3.  No break, mostly 30 minutes each.  I already presented my slide on this one and am frankly braindead already from all the gear changing, so I am on TB for a minute.

    Having said that, I love Tues/Thurs because I have a call that drones on enough that I can drive through and get something for lunch.  While on the call.

    On days that I start work at 6:30 and finish at 5:00 and my mom helps get kids to schools, I sometimes do run out and grocery shop. 

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  • imagejesse1117:
    I run errands at lunch all the time. No one notices if I get back 5 or 10 minutes late. My office is right near the grocery store, dry cleaner, post office, etc. I have even gotten a pedicure on my lunch break.

    Jealous!! Don't you have to clock in/out though? We have sign out sheets if we leave the building..

     
    A+S | Met 8/24/06 | Married 9/27/08
    Started TTC 12/2008 | dx PCOS 5/2009
    6 failed clomid/femara/TI cycles, 1 failed clomid/ovidrel/IUI cycle
    Successful Cycle: 5/12/11 - 1000mg Metformin + 100mg Clomid(late response) + TI = BFP

    2/13/12 - We proudly welcomed our daughter, Hadley Teresa!
    Lots of Luck to all of 3T/IF

    Lilypie Second Birthday tickers

     

    www.MyVacationCountdown.com Ticker

  • Dh always runs errands on his lunch break. He goes to BRU, lowes, grocery store, gets hair cuts, oil changes ect. He then actually eats his lunch after his break and works and eats at the same time.

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  • I do.  I have an office job and don't have to clock in or out for breaks and get an hour.  Usually my supervisor and I take the time to run errands.  This was actually a bone of contention with H and I because he was complaining when I asked him to do something and I went on a little tirade about how I do drop off and pick up for daycare and spend every lunch break running errands.  It's nice to get out of the office but it makes for a busy day.

    ETA - That probably sounds really whiny considering that most people seem to work through their lunch break.  But I'm tired and cranky, so running errands instead of relaxing can be my first world problem.

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  • When I was teaching, I didn't have time for errands on my lunch break, but very rarely, I would run a quick errand during my plan time. Usually though, it was work related, like picking up supplies for a science lab. My husband used to work out or go running on his lunch break, but he worked for a company that encouraged that type of activity during the day.
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  • I totally did. My bank was right in front of a Target so I could walk over for a few things if needed.
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  • No for me..I'm a teacher and only get 30 minutes and it usually isn't that long because kids are always needing something. Wish I could find time to run errands.

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  • With my current assignment I can't run errands on my lunch break. When I had an office job I could technically run errands but I never really did. Once I did go grocery shopping but that was for something very specific that I could only get at the store near my work.

    Honestly, I don't really have many errands that I need to run on a regular basis. I also don't usually take the whole lunch hour and I usually didn't leave the office.
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  • I did, and I only got a 30 minute lunch break (strictly enforced). I don't find the idea that "laughable", it just depends on individual circumstances. When I was pregnant, I started grocery shopping on my lunch break because I was ready to GO. HOME. by the end of the day. The store was about 1/2 mile from my office, I had a list, and I walked fast. I'd put anything requiring refrigeration in the break room fridge, and leave myself a note to get it at the end of the day. Since I sat all day long at an office I hated, I actually enjoyed the chance to get out, even if it was an errand.
  • I have an office job, but we have to clock in/out for lunch. I also work in a business-y part of downdown, there are no grocery stores near me and I take the bus. I do go to the post office or bank, but very rarely because its a long walk and would take up my whole lunch.
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  • imageJessicameron:
    I did, and I only got a 30 minute lunch break (strictly enforced). I don't find the idea that "laughable", it just depends on individual circumstances. When I was pregnant, I started grocery shopping on my lunch break because I was ready to GO. HOME. by the end of the day. The store was about 1/2 mile from my office, I had a list, and I walked fast. I'd put anything requiring refrigeration in the break room fridge, and leave myself a note to get it at the end of the day. Since I sat all day long at an office I hated, I actually enjoyed the chance to get out, even if it was an errand.

    Since I know where you worked, I completely understand as I'm still in that little bit of hell myself :/ My boss actually makes us sign out if we leave the building - even on our lunch break. But there's nothing near my office other than taco bell and a bar, so I couldn't really drive anywhere to get anything done anyway!

    I have contemplated going to the bar at lunch. There are days when you really need a drink by 12pm!

     
    A+S | Met 8/24/06 | Married 9/27/08
    Started TTC 12/2008 | dx PCOS 5/2009
    6 failed clomid/femara/TI cycles, 1 failed clomid/ovidrel/IUI cycle
    Successful Cycle: 5/12/11 - 1000mg Metformin + 100mg Clomid(late response) + TI = BFP

    2/13/12 - We proudly welcomed our daughter, Hadley Teresa!
    Lots of Luck to all of 3T/IF

    Lilypie Second Birthday tickers

     

    www.MyVacationCountdown.com Ticker

  • I get an hour for lunch, and I TAKE IT! :)  They're not paying me, so I'm not giving them my free time.  Yes, I have a piss poor attitude about it, but they're back to treating me like crap so I'm not giving more than a minute that I have to.  I take a lunch every day.  I don't always leave, but I do take it.  I've gone shopping at lunch, run to the post office, gotten tags for my car, gone to the dr...things like that.  So, yes, I'm a working mom who has/can run errands on my lunch break.

    ETA:  I do not have to clock in and out, and if I'm 5 or 10 mintues late coming back on occasion it's not a huge deal.

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  • imagefirewife9278:

    imageJessicameron:
    I did, and I only got a 30 minute lunch break (strictly enforced). I don't find the idea that "laughable", it just depends on individual circumstances. When I was pregnant, I started grocery shopping on my lunch break because I was ready to GO. HOME. by the end of the day. The store was about 1/2 mile from my office, I had a list, and I walked fast. I'd put anything requiring refrigeration in the break room fridge, and leave myself a note to get it at the end of the day. Since I sat all day long at an office I hated, I actually enjoyed the chance to get out, even if it was an errand.

    Since I know where you worked, I completely understand as I'm still in that little bit of hell myself :/ My boss actually makes us sign out if we leave the building - even on our lunch break. But there's nothing near my office other than taco bell and a bar, so I couldn't really drive anywhere to get anything done anyway!

    I have contemplated going to the bar at lunch. There are days when you really need a drink by 12pm!

    Funny you should say that, because I almost said I know where you work, and I can't believe they actually make you sign out for lunch. Actually, I totally can believe it. My boss watched us come and go out her window (and watched the time sheet for flex time) but we didn't have to actually write down our lunches. That is, until my supervisor made me keep a "journal" of how I spent my days because he was convinced I was stealing agency time. I was at the end of my pregnancy by this time and so fed up with them that I literally documented every second, down to my bathroom breaks. After two weeks he asked me to print my journal out for him and it was 200+ typed pages. Jerk.

    In regards to the bar you mentioned, one of the girls in my training class came from an office with a very different atmosphere, and she said that she and her co-workers would go out for drinks at lunch on a regular basis! Can you imagine? My boss would have lost her mind!! In retrospect, I should have tried it...

  • Sorry if you guys found that offensive - for me, in my job, the idea is totally laughable because generally we are all on conference calls over any time that is even lunch adjacent.  But I know for many, it's a different story.  I was only responding for myself and my situation....
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  • My lunch breaks are my only time to get stuff done.  Fortunately I work across the street from my bank and Costco.  The grocery store is around the corner.  Going grocery shopping at lunch!  I put a big post-it on my keys to remember to get my food out of the kitchen.  :)

     

     

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  • So it sounds like I need to take advantage of the hour and get out!  Today would have been a good day to do groceries, it hasn't really gotten abouve 5 degrees so I wouldn't have to worry about keeping the food cold!

    Lilypie - (JrNi)

    Lilypie - (y35Q)

  • I do! Just got back from the post office. I usually work through lunch, but on occassion, I'll go to a doctor's appointment or run errands...my boss is really understanding and since I'm a salaried employee I don't have to punch in/out.

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  • I do sometimes, especially now that there is a new "City Target" a few blocks from my office.  But honestly, usually several days go by where I am thinking about how I should really run out at lunchtime for xyz but don't have time, and then the weekend comes and I do it then instead....but once in a while I am able to get out and get something done, which is a nice perk of working. 

    But what I find more valuable is having time to make phone calls, or pay bills, etc. while I'm at my desk.  I can accomplish 100x more in 30 minutes in my office than I could with my two kids around.

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  • imageMrMrsandBaby:

    So it sounds like I need to take advantage of the hour and get out!  Today would have been a good day to do groceries, it hasn't really gotten abouve 5 degrees so I wouldn't have to worry about keeping the food cold!

    I went to BJs and got milk, eggs, and some fruits and veggies and it's nice to not have to run home and drop it all off since it'll be fine in the car today.  It's definitely nice.  Being able to go at lunch actually saves me money because I'm able to go to a few different stores each week and hit up different sales rather then just running to the closest one at night when we really need something.

    And it gets me out of the office and my coworkers drive me nuts.

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  • imageJessicameron:
    imagefirewife9278:

    imageJessicameron:
    I did, and I only got a 30 minute lunch break (strictly enforced). I don't find the idea that "laughable", it just depends on individual circumstances. When I was pregnant, I started grocery shopping on my lunch break because I was ready to GO. HOME. by the end of the day. The store was about 1/2 mile from my office, I had a list, and I walked fast. I'd put anything requiring refrigeration in the break room fridge, and leave myself a note to get it at the end of the day. Since I sat all day long at an office I hated, I actually enjoyed the chance to get out, even if it was an errand.

    Since I know where you worked, I completely understand as I'm still in that little bit of hell myself :/ My boss actually makes us sign out if we leave the building - even on our lunch break. But there's nothing near my office other than taco bell and a bar, so I couldn't really drive anywhere to get anything done anyway!

    I have contemplated going to the bar at lunch. There are days when you really need a drink by 12pm!

    Funny you should say that, because I almost said I know where you work, and I can't believe they actually make you sign out for lunch. Actually, I totally can believe it. My boss watched us come and go out her window (and watched the time sheet for flex time) but we didn't have to actually write down our lunches. That is, until my supervisor made me keep a "journal" of how I spent my days because he was convinced I was stealing agency time. I was at the end of my pregnancy by this time and so fed up with them that I literally documented every second, down to my bathroom breaks. After two weeks he asked me to print my journal out for him and it was 200+ typed pages. Jerk.

    In regards to the bar you mentioned, one of the girls in my training class came from an office with a very different atmosphere, and she said that she and her co-workers would go out for drinks at lunch on a regular basis! Can you imagine? My boss would have lost her mind!! In retrospect, I should have tried it...

    Serves your boss right to have to read 200+ pages of daily activity. My boss watches our bathroom breaks too. If you spend more than 15min total in a day, you can't take your 15min breaks .. it's awful. When I was pregnant, I never got my breaks because I was in the bathroom every 10min it seemed!

    My friend and I talk about going over at lunch all the time. We have gotten carry out (they have really good food), but feel like it's too risky. We both have babies and low alcohol tolerance as a result :)

     
    A+S | Met 8/24/06 | Married 9/27/08
    Started TTC 12/2008 | dx PCOS 5/2009
    6 failed clomid/femara/TI cycles, 1 failed clomid/ovidrel/IUI cycle
    Successful Cycle: 5/12/11 - 1000mg Metformin + 100mg Clomid(late response) + TI = BFP

    2/13/12 - We proudly welcomed our daughter, Hadley Teresa!
    Lots of Luck to all of 3T/IF

    Lilypie Second Birthday tickers

     

    www.MyVacationCountdown.com Ticker

  • I run errands probably once a week.  I have an hour lunch, but if I need a little longer I just let my boss know.  Since I don't do it often she doesn't mind.  I run to the pharmacy, the post office, nail salon, cleaners, Wal Mart, Michael's, Babys' R Us, the mall a few times.  I work downtown and it's easy to get to various places in 10-15 minutes.  They also just built an awesome, locally owned grocery store about four blocks from work and I will pick things up for dinner there that won't go bad in the car on a cool day.
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  • I used to run errands at my old job all the time.  No one really leaves the office that I work in now, so I usually just eat at my desk. 
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  • Ha! Lunch here is a half hour. VERY occasionally I will slap my break onto it and run across the street to the mall to eat something quick there and pick up a card or a small gift if pressed but...

    And that's only because the mall is literally right across the street. If I had to drive I could never ever manage it. 

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  • I have been at my current job for 9 years, and I can count on my fingers the number of times that I have run out on errands. Usually, it's an emergency thing, like last year I was really sick and went to the drugstore to get meds. Now, with pumping, I barely have time to walk down the hall and use the bathroom.
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  • I either workout or run errands during lunch breaks.
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  • imagemirroredimage:

    imagecmd9465:
    I either workout or run errands during lunch breaks.

    How do you do this?!  Are you not all sweaty and gross when you're done?  My whole body turns red and I look like I just took a shower when I work out!  Enlighten me, please.

    There are people who work in my building that go to the Y and workout on their lunch break.  And let me tell ya, they DO NOT shower before coming back, and it's disgusting!!!  They don't smell like BO necessarily, but they smell sweaty and it's nasty!  I could never go workout at lunch, because I'd have to shower before coming back and that would take an extra 30 minutes.

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  • I've worked as an attorney for both a firm and a nonprofit. At the firm, I ran errands all the time on my lunch break. As long as I didn't have a call, court appointment, or other commitment, I could come and go as I pleased so long as I met my billable hours requirement. In fact, there was a gym in our office building and I used to work out there at least three times a week during lunch.

    My nonprofit was a different story... While I was still a salaried employee and thus wasn't required to punch the clock for lunch, I was expected to be available most days at lunch, so I rarely left the office for any longer than it takes to pick up a sandwich. Plus, I worked in a completely different city from where I live so it's not like it was convenient to run to the dry cleaners.
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  • Yeah right, I'm a teacher and have 45 minutes.  I'm lucky if I eat lunch, I often have kids in during my lunch to make up tests, complete work, or give extra help.  It's rare for me to even pee!!!!!

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  • I do run errrands at work if needed, I work in/out of my office. I work all over town going to meetings, houses and feild work. If I need to stop at the bank or go pay a bill it isnt a big deal. Ladies I work with take their kids places if needed but I dont think anyone has time to grocery shop.

    Although I work 8-5, my work is not based on time I spend at the office (that would be better actually) If the amount of work that HAS to get done gets done, then I dont have to be there 8-5. Problem is you can never do all your work in that time frame.  We have more work to do than anyone can understand, if you arent working alot of the time you are there you will miss deadlines.

    Also I am the director so my time isnt questioned, I dont question my employees time either because if their work isnt getting done it shows and I know they have to be spending alot of time working if they are getting it all done.

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