Overheard in Poundworld today.

BackOnTrack

cgk1 wrote: »

Many people who work for free (also known as "suckers") absolutely love the martry aspect of it "I worked ten hours for nothing last week!" like it's something to be proud about!

Lol I must be one of these "suckers" then, although I don't tend to talk about how much over time I work and I don't even keep record of it. The upside of being a sucker is I have a good salary, great working conditions, career prospects, an interesting job and I don't have someone counting the minutes I take for breaks. Also if I need to leave a couple of hours early on occasion thats no problem, I don't even need to ask. If I miss my train in the morning and am late into work thats not an issue either. If my washing machine breaks down it's no problem for me to work from home so I don't need to take a days leave.

If I was working for minimum wage I would take a very different view about working for free but for a lot of roles out there unpaid over time is part of the package and overall I'm mroe than happy with it.

shikoku

It's one thing putting in a bit of free extra time when you are on a fat salary, another when you are on minimum wage, respect works both ways and if you don't get it you don't put yourself out.

custardy

CallaLily wrote: »

Or just thankful to have a job rather than be unemployed!

well in that case.why dont all companies drop everyone to minimum wage?
meets the legal requirements and they can all be grateful to have a job

shikoku

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

I smell a discrimination lawsuit in there ...

How did you make that leap?

Pete111

SHIPSHAPE wrote: »

More fool you I say.

When I had a crappy job I was looking elsewhere.

I had an interview at a big store and the interviewer said I would be expected to work beyond my hours each day to make sure the work was completed and it would be unpaid..

I asked the interviewer if they were nuts.

I suggested employing someone for 50 hours a week rather than the 40 as advertised as it obviously took that long anyway.

Oooo no! came the reply.

What planet are these clowns on?

Planet 'Reality'

Every company I have ever worked for has had a clause similar to the below in the contract:

Your standard hours are xxx per week but you are expected to work unpaid beyond these as required to ensure the proper fulfillment of your duties.

In my experience (and I stress this is re office based work) , those prepared to work a bit of unpaid OT most often find they have a 'career'. Those that do not find the have 'a job'...for a while anyway!

Pete111

cgk1 wrote: »

Many people who work for free (also known as "suckers") absolutely love the martry aspect of it "I worked ten hours for nothing last week!" like it's something to be proud about!

I know, all those 'suckers' working for free and ending up being promoted to management when their hard work and efforts are recognised - utter idiots!

cgk1

Pete111 wrote: »

I know, all those 'suckers' working for free and ending up being promoted to management when their hard work and efforts are recognised - utter idiots!

What percentage of management positions do you think there are to sucker positions?

I run my own business so everything I do goes straight in my own pocket rather than filling someone else's, when I employ people and they offer to work for free, I mark them down as a sucker. People who fight their corner and demand to be paid for their efforts are more manager material in my eyes. If they can't fight their corner internally, why would I think they would do a good job with customers?

Harlan Ellison sums up my feelings on this matter perfectly (NOT SAFE FOR WORK):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj5IV23g-fE

custardy

Pete111 wrote: »

I know, all those 'suckers' working for free and ending up being promoted to management when their hard work and efforts are recognised - utter idiots!

strange.why would you automatically think someone working for free is management material?
wouldnt it be better to keep leeching free work from them than pay them more?

Kajimba

I agree with the posts above. Up to now, I have worked extra hours & been prepared to cover for others at less than 24 hours notice. All this has meant is that my employer thinks they can make me redundant with no notice and owing me money. This happened four years ago as well, and I still have debts from the financial hole that employer left me in. I have decided enough is enough. No more jobs without written contracts that include EVERYTHING, legal proceedings against this employer and work to rule for anything in retail.

Pete111

Lets take 2 employees

One turns up at 9am, works until lunch when they take exactly one hour and refuse to schedule meetings etc during this time. At the end of the day they leave at 5,30pm on the dot come what may. When asked at 5pm if they can do an important and urgent piece of work that will take an hour they say 'sorry, I can't get it to you until tomorrow'

The other often turns up a little early for work, sometimes works a short lunch break depending on what is happening that day and tends to leave between 5.30 and 6pm. When asked at 5pm if they can do an important and urgent piece of work that will take an hour they reply that they will get right on it and complete the task that day before heading home.

All things being equal, which employee gets made redundant? (hint, It's not employee 2)

I can tell you this makes a difference. I know this because as an HR Director I make people redundant quite a lot (sadly) and this sort of thing is quite often quoted by Mgrs when making a case for one candidate to get the the chop over another.

On the other hand, showing willing and hard work is noticed also. We have a large number of unpaid internships here. The better ones often get offered full time roles.

Just telling it as I see it!