Hello, I am working at a place with part-time and full-time employees.

36 Comments

1. AnonymousNovember 5,2025 at 5:01PM UTC

   Without a lot of context of your exact situation I can only tell you from my standpoint of reasons I've asked that same question of others:

   1. I wanted to stay late myself and I wanted to ensure other women would be there.
   2. I wanted to get to know the person and wanted to invite them to coffee outside of work.
   3. Making small talk.
   4. Wanted to help the person get home sooner.
   5. Wanted to bounce work ideas off of someone.

   I'm not sure these will help you. Perhaps if asked again you can always ask what they have in mind... It at least will open up dialog.

2. AnonymousNovember 5,2025 at 6:17PM UTC

   I agree with the first reply below. There could be endless explanations. The person at work, who is asking the question, will be able to provide you with an accurate answer. Some people are outgoing and extroverted and others can be introverted.

3. AnonymousNovember 6,2025 at 1:36PM UTC

   As someone who's both managed and worked with the newest generation to enter the workforce, I've found the following:

   Many (not all) do not understand the concept of working late, working overtime, not being promoted within 6 months, and doing anything other than what their job entails, and leaving at the time their shift is scheduled to be over. Some don't understand why a person would want to work "so late" or choose to work different shifts. It's probably curiosity more than anything else.

   Again, this has just been my experience.

4. GirlBossanova934974November 6,2025 at 1:40PM UTC

   Sounds like you are working at the Kid's Club. These folks all want to fit in! So they want to know when everyone is going home so if anyone asks, they can say they stayed as long as so and so did. Very insecure. As a business owner myself, I find this annoying. We need the work done, not the clock watched.

5. AnonymousNovember 6,2025 at 2:03PM UTC

   I have asked this question of more "seasoned" employees. There are expectations --your given hours--and then there are those unwritten expectations like "Manager X pet peeve is seeing people race out of here at 5 p.m." They weren't really concerned with YOUR HOURS, they were asking about company expectations. They are asking for your experience and expertise. They aren't judging you as a worker or peer.

6. AnonymousNovember 6,2025 at 2:21PM UTC

   I would need context. Like someone else said on here.

   I've asked about another’s schedule for a myriad of reasons.

   1. Figuring out work culture. Do people regularly stay late? Why?
   2. safety. If I’m staying late am I going to be in a horror movie scene or worse?
   3. to see if I can help you get out on time etc

   there was also a comment on how bosses just need the work done and not the clock watched. If I’m working hourly and outside my schedule shift I would need to be compensated accordingly. I’ll get the work done but I’ve been burned before by pigeon holing myself into a job where they won’t promote me but increase my workload.

7. AnonymousNovember 6,2025 at 3:04PM UTC

   If one is genuinely concerned and want to help with a workload, is it not easier to simply offer to help? I think asking if there’s anything I can help you with is a lot more productive than asking how late are you working. Just my observation.

8. Explorer581600November 6,2025 at 2:28PM UTC

   Just sharing my experience here. I use to feel that way at one point in an office that I worked at. Some people,not just younger, do not know how to read a room.They may be trying to just get to know you but have no social graces which is often the case with most of the younger generation.Emotional intelligence is fleeting. They say what they feel no matter what or who is in the room. ( hopefully they learn as they get older emotional intelligence.). To just keep peace , you can just reply your normal time and then say why? Is there something you are trying to do? Is there something I need to know …just asking? I offer this as you satisfy the question but you flip it back on them to understand why they ask? This way their curiosity is is answered and you understand why! This is company time and not a secret..they could just ask your manager. And then give that person more context and add unnecessary commentary like, he/she is so standoffish, not personable, mean….etc. I use to feel like my co workers were too noisy and intrusive and truthfully some were but many just wanted to know who I was and did not know boundaries. You can keep your life private why still having some social interaction. They are learning and still need to understand people. They will get the message that you are private when you keep it strictly work and share what you want to share. Again emotional intelligence for this generation at times is fleeting. This is not adjusting to them but just dealing with this company culture which is a younger group.

9. WendyRMNovember 6,2025 at 4:40PM UTC

   To me, it seems like they think you are also part-time. They could be wondering why you aren't leaving when they do. What reason did the person asking give you when you wanted to know why they are asking? And ot could just be a way for them to connect with you.

10. AnonymousNovember 6,2025 at 5:37PM UTC

    Lighten up! If you are to remain in the workplace with a multigenerational crew you have to fit in to what the overall vibe is or you will risk being miserable, which I suspect you might be. Why not be the seasoned leader and show the younger generation why that question might irk you. Also closing yourself off to relationships won't make things better, they will make things worse. I am not suggesting that you become best friends with folks there but open up to a collegial collaborative style which might include a tiny view into who you are as a person. It will infuse a bit of you into others and you actually might learn something new from those around you. And yes, I am in my late 60's still working and most of those around me are in their early to mid 20's. We all get along and if someone asks how late I am working I assume they might either need a ride home, don't want to be there alone, or perhaps just want to work with me in the later hours. I never snap back and often help those in more junior roles to gain the knowledge I have from over 30 years of doing what I do. It's satisfying, you should try it.

11. AnonymousNovember 7,2025 at 3:47PM UTC

    You say lighten up and then you go into what comes off like a chastising rant. Maybe you should lighten up.

12. AnonymousNovember 9,2025 at 5:14PM UTC

    OP above: nothing chastised her at all I spoke about how I was able to turn my situation around being of the same age group. If you view it from my angle you can see that clearly.

13. AnonymousNovember 7,2025 at 4:00PM UTC

    The original poster asked: "I am posting here cause I wonder if anyone knows why people ask that?" You're response could be received as an unsolicited critique with a judgemental tone rather than insightful.

14. AnonymousNovember 9,2025 at 5:13PM UTC

    OP above : nothing judgemental about my response and since I am in the same age group and experience this same thing often I spoke about my experience and how I was able to shift things. I think if you re-read my insightful response you will see that.

15. AnonymousNovember 10,2025 at 6:28PM UTC

    OMG, this isn't Law & Order or Judge Judy! Unsolicited...who cares!? The OP posted a question to a public website, most of us assume we'll get a mix of feedback.

16. AyianNovember 6,2025 at 8:10PM UTC

    They're trying to make small-talk with you.

17. AnonymousNovember 6,2025 at 8:10PM UTC

    Maybe they were asking so they have someone working with them on their shift. I wouldn't pull away from others; humans need humans to survive. If you just go to do a job, then you're a robot. Humans have feelings and are not made to cut ourselves off from others. Geez, like another person wrote, lighten up.

18. AnonymousNovember 6,2025 at 8:55PM UTC

    I find it fun working with a multigenerational crew. I'm 55 years old and ask about what interests them, they teach me so much and they come to me for advise about handling projects or people. I tease them not to pick on this old lady.

19. AnonymousNovember 6,2025 at 9:53PM UTC

    I find sometimes others are threatened by the fact that you take your job seriously and want to do your best not just skate by on the bare minimum.

20. AnonymousNovember 7,2025 at 11:10AM UTC

    Sometimes people are nosy and ask strange questions. You could answer the question with "when I feel that I have accomplished what I wanted to today" or just give them a time, then turn it around onto them and ask why they wanted to know.

    I'm early Gen X (born in 1967) and I actually like most of the Gen Z people I know. However, most of us were raised to be polite and to use good judgement before asking questions, while I have found that many Gen Z folks will just ask anything, such as asking me if I'm pregnant (um no, I'm 58 and my children are adults, but thank you for calling me fat), asking me if I'm a lesbian (no, but why did you want to know?) etc. If you're not comfortable answering something, you could just say, "that's a bit personal" and change the subject.

21. Rynn StrangeNovember 7,2025 at 1:32PM UTC

    It may be idle curiosity, but I doubt it. If it's the manager or other person in authority, it's illegal to be asking. They're trying to see how close to the door you are. If it's a matter of knowing how many hours you are working, it sounds like someone wants those hours are trying to figure out how to push you out.

22. AnonymousNovember 10,2025 at 6:25PM UTC

    @ryan - I don't see a JD behind your name. Site your sources behind the claim that this is an illegal question. Many of us are throwing the bullshit flag on this outrageous statement.

23. AnonymousNovember 14,2025 at 8:49PM UTC

    Where did you get your alleged J.D.? and in what jurisdiction are you authorized to practice law???

24. AnonymousNovember 7,2025 at 2:06PM UTC

    I really do think that the reason why, the people or persons are asking you this question, might be because they're vicariously comparing their own productivity to yours. Probably In their minds, you set the standard for worker dedication and timeliness. Because many are so new to the job market or they're in transition, they don't have the same work ethic as you. In this light, I wouldn't look at it as being offensive. Instead, look at it as you being viewed as someone to be emulated. Just my opinion, of course. Continue to shine!

25. Life BeckonsNovember 7,2025 at 2:12PM UTC

    100

26. AnonymousNovember 7,2025 at 3:16PM UTC

    Most people typically are asking because they are just genuinely curious. However, other co-workers may need transportation home and know that some of their co-workers are more than happy to do so especially if they may be going the same direction that they live so that they don't have to walk home, as some areas aren't very safe for a variety of reasons to be walking home alone at night.

    When I used to work for a traditional employer, my co-workers knew that I was always more than happy to take them home if I was going there direction or close to it, as I wanted to make sure that they made it safely home especially the other ladies that I worked with that I knew lived alone. I worked in a small town but the guys always looked out for us and us older ladies always looked out for the younger ones to make sure that they had a safe way to make it home especially if they were working after dark.

    I work for myself now and I work 100% virtually from home which I love, since I need an extremely flexible schedule due to care giving on an unpredictable schedule for both my dad and my husband. I also have my own medical issues that at times need frequent medical appointments, so working for myself now gives me the flexibility I need and still have income coming in to the household. My clients also are aware of my situation and they don't care when I work on stuff for them, as long as I get it done by the agreed upon time that they need the information. Working for myself has been a great thing, however, there are times I miss having other people at work to talk to.

27. AnonymousNovember 7,2025 at 3:24PM UTC

    That flexibility sounds amazing. What do you do? If you don’t mind me asking

28. AnonymousNovember 7,2025 at 3:54PM UTC

    The coworkers are fairly new to the professional world. It is possible they are trying to gauge if they are on the right track with what is expected of them. You may seem like someone with more experience. You're wise to ask what's leading to the question. Hopefully one of the askers will share their reasoning.

29. Eileen JoyceNovember 7,2025 at 5:24PM UTC

    I asked this question when I was younger and somewhat new to working. It's only natural and mostly harmless. Being older maybe they think you have more insight on how to navigate the environment. Just say something like "I head home once I’ve wrapped up what’s expected and handled what’s on the day’s agenda." or something like that.

30. Christina ConnollyNovember 7,2025 at 8:01PM UTC

    When I worked part-time in retail, we would ask that question of each other all the time (I'm in my 50s, my colleagues ranged in age from 20s-60s). For us, that questions was more of a compliment than prying/nefarious/curiosity (I like working with you and am delighted if we're together for most of my working time today). In an office setting, I'd think it's more about understanding the company expectation on time worked.

31. Bridgette MNovember 9,2025 at 2:02PM UTC

    Not knowing what you do, the first thing that comes to mind is they want the leave before their shift ends and as long as you're there, they have coverage. Or possibly they want to be doing something that they dont want you to be witness to.

32. Milissa JacobsNovember 10,2025 at 1:34PM UTC

    They are seeking to know who is getting hours. Walmart did this so badly that they quit posting a public schedule so you can’t see who is actually getting work.

33. Marguerite FarleyNovember 10,2025 at 3:04PM UTC

    So I read this and it reminded me of something that happened to me at my work. I work in a high school and when I first started I was there until 430. So I asked a person that worked in the school who came into my office a few times in conversation. Well this person was looking for any reason to start problems with the district and wrote a 2 page email to the principal that I was "keeping tabs on her" . Nope just making small talk. Take the questions at face value unless they give you a reason to think otherwise.

34. AnonymousNovember 10,2025 at 4:09PM UTC

    I think that they are just trying to be friendly and find something in common to talk about.

35. AnonymousNovember 28,2025 at 1:53AM UTC

    Well sometimes it’s an important question. I had a coworker who wanted to make up time and work until 5:30. Everyone was leaving at 5 and she couldn’t stay there alone. There was a little tiff between them. We didn’t have overtime then. Now most of us are home more. We have more temp employees now too. Unfortunately they are making a lot of errors! Ugh

36. Anna DiomisMarch 31,2026 at 11:10AM UTC

    ?