MONEY MORAL DILEMMA. Should Theo undercut Duncan's work at double pay? 18 August 2009 at 5:02PM edited 18 August 2009 at 8:24PM in Money Saving Polls 59 replies 15.7K views

Former_MSE_Natasha

Here's this week's hypothetical situation for you to cogitate on:

Should Theo undercut Duncan's work at double pay?

Colleagues Theo and Duncan work for a company where overtime's scarce and it often struggles to find people to cover. Duncan hears that extra work's available for one person and grabs it, negotiating himself triple time for the evening. When Theo hears about it he's miffed he didn't get in first, as he has a new baby so money's tight and he's always focused his cash on his family.

Should Theo undercut Duncan's work at double pay?

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scotsbob

Yes of course he should.

Tough luck on Duncan if he went in with too high a bid.

That'll teach him to be too greedy.

.

Gavin83

Yeah he should. It's business after all and like most businesses they'll go for the cheaper offer. The only point I guess Duncan could still get the overtime on triple pay is if he is vastly better at his job than Theo, in which case he can demand a higher sum.

Duncan should expect a rift but if it's not too much of a problem in his eyes then go for it.

custardy

or Duncan should get in first next time and enjoy the triple pay,given the precidence is set

ThinkingOfLinking

Yes, he should go for it.

tallgirld

No he shouldn't the cheapskate!! He should wait until overtime is offered again and then he should also do it for triple time. If he undercuts this time, the company is unlikely to offer triple time again as he is prepared to do it for less.

If money's tight he should go and get a better paid job or get a second one!!

Blobby8_2

"as he has a new baby so money's tight and he's always focused his cash on his family." So why do they struggle to find people to do overtime ?

Cloudane

Can't see why not, but it really depends. If it's going to sour his relationship with the other, then maybe it's best not to - remember, they still have to work together. If you're enough of a.. "toot".. in the workplace, then people can end up driving you out, which would be worse financially.

Morally though I don't see a huge problem assuming he's not in a worse situation.

(I half expected the question to be "Should Duncan give up his overtime and let Theo have it" - which also depends. You shouldn't let others take advantage of you, so it depends whether the other guy is like that, or is a nicer person.)

qetu1357

For consistency, can anyone who think Theo should undercut Duncan's pay please publish here what they do, how much they get paid and where they work?

Then any readers can contact their employer and uncut them!

Taffybiker

Duncan and Theo should agree to take turns when overtime becomes available. Everyone's a winner.

spudz_2

I agree with those who have said that Theo should wait till overtime is offered again and make sure he gets in first so that he can negotiate triple time as well. He needs to think long term not short term. Its okay undercutting Duncan now and getting the overtime at double time but that is then setting a precident and the company probably won't negotiate triple time with anyone again.:o