Sanity check - work deadlines

[Anonymous]

When you have a deadline, do you typically hand projects in right at deadline (for example, at 5pm the day it’s due), or do you consider it best practice to hand it in earlier in the day, or if possible, even earlier than that if you had plenty of time to work on it well before deadline? Trying to determine whether my expectations at work are reasonable. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the assignment. I try to get things done as far in advanced as possible but I’m very type A so prob not the best example. Also I have litigated and those deadlines are immovable so usually have to file no later than the drop dead time.

[Anonymous]

I try to get things done in advance because other things come up, but if someone is consistently meeting deadlines I wouldn’t be upset. If I wanted something before the deadline, I’d set an earlier deadline.

[Anonymous]

I usually plan my projects around when I ask for work to be submitted. If you turn it in early, there's a good chance I won't be looking at until after the due date.

[Anonymous]

Pretty much try to meet my deadlines. occasionally might be early but I think best practice is to meet deadlines. more common for me is to give other people deadlines that are earlier than they need to be in case things slip.

[Anonymous]

The deadline is the deadline. If someone want it earlier, they should move up the deadline. But if I finish something, I get it in earlier just for my own peace of mind and so I can move my brain onto the next thing.

[Anonymous]

I agree - the deadline is the deadline. At one place I worked, I never turned in anything earlier than the deadline because I learned that the boss would just keep shortening turn-around times until they were impossible to meet if I turned things around more quickly

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I try to get things done in advance because other things come up, but if someone is consistently meeting deadlines I wouldn’t be upset. If I wanted something before the deadline, I’d set an earlier deadline.

This. Adults plan their competing priorities to meet deadlines. If something's due at 5:00 then I will first deal with the things due at 3:00, the call I need to make at lunch, etc.

Also, I work in an office where nearly all the deadlines are "COB" which just means the recipient wants to look at it the next morning. If I get it done at 6 pm that is the same to them as getting it done at 3 or 5 pm.

[Anonymous]

Are you giving the deadline? Or receiving it?

It totally depends on what it is. Normally I try to get any big work product done at least a day ahead of time.

[Anonymous]

Whenever I get it done. But I don’t fault someone for turning something in at 5pm on the deadline day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree - the deadline is the deadline. At one place I worked, I never turned in anything earlier than the deadline because I learned that the boss would just keep shortening turn-around times until they were impossible to meet if I turned things around more quickly

This

[Anonymous]

One thing I absolutely hate is when you give me a generous deadline and then start "checking in" with me earlier. If you've given me a week and it's due at 5 PM on Friday, please don't start emailing me on Tuesday asking "how it's going." I probably haven't even started yet, but I'll get it done by Friday. Even the morning of the deadline, it's annoying if you email me asking where it is. I may not start it until 3PM Friday but you'll get it on time.

If you needed it earlier, give me an interim deadline or let me know when you assign it that you want to check in mid-week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I try to get things done in advance because other things come up, but if someone is consistently meeting deadlines I wouldn’t be upset. If I wanted something before the deadline, I’d set an earlier deadline.

This. Adults plan their competing priorities to meet deadlines. If something's due at 5:00 then I will first deal with the things due at 3:00, the call I need to make at lunch, etc.

Also, I work in an office where nearly all the deadlines are "COB" which just means the recipient wants to look at it the next morning. If I get it done at 6 pm that is the same to them as getting it done at 3 or 5 pm.

Agree. Turning it anytime on the finish date is fine. People won't look at it until the next day. Or the computer system advances at 2 AM after the deadline.

[Anonymous]

You are not reasonable if you're expecting things before the deadline. Either make the deadline earlier or communicate better with your staff. I prefer much always turn things in early, but I don't expect everyone to be like that.

[Anonymous]

Trouble with last month minute is I have a last minute Charlie who works for me. He does that crazy 8am to 430 pm thing (30 minute) lunch but when he submits thing at deadline. I work like a normal person to 5pm I always give it a Quick Look. Make sure no glaring errors and if so kick it back and he is gone. Then by Monday it is three days old already. I don’t get the strategy.

He literally addressed his last one to a dead person who died three years ago as he somehow got name off old docs.

My old company we used tools and system locked it after due date from being uploaded without it impacting your NPS (net promoter score) tied to bonus. Your boss could kick it back till 12 midnight for corrections.

I stink bombed this guy once at 11:59.59 pm his crap back. Got sick of him putting crap in at deadline.