Saying "no" to overtime

C_Mababejive

This really depends on the size of the operation you work for.

If its a smallish outfit and some OT is needed just to manage peaks in workload and that OT is shared amongst all,then it always pays to co operate.

Incidentally,how would you feel if you were rostered to work overtime and callout but were not paid a single penny extra for it?

ceridwen

Personally - I would just go for saying "No thank you" - in a tone of voice that implied that I was grateful to them for having offered me the chance to earn extra money, but I didnt need it, so "thanks all the same - nice of you to offer me the chance to earn a bit extra...but I'm okay for money thanks...:)" would be about the attitude I would take.

Your sparetime is your spare time - so why feel the need to make excuses for making sure it IS spare after all...

It sounds as if they know you are feeling guilty for saying "no" and are taking the view that, if they "ask" often enough that guilt will cause you to give way and do so and once you start down that slippery slope then they've got you and can ratchet it up into asking for more and more and more....

You have to tell them firmly - once and for all - what you are and ARENT willing to do for them (note the word "willing"!!!!) and then hopefully they will stop "playing on your guilt feelings".

They are the ones who should feel guilty if anyone - sounds like they have enough hours available that they could offer someone else a job (if only part-time).

popadom

Like someone else has said say "i have plans i cant drop at short notice but if i can do overtime i will tell you a day before/on the day". Your not ruleing it out but wont feel quility.

Print_Screen

Is this paid or unpayed overtime by the way?
Where I used to work I worked all the way through lunch and had no break all day.
When I had to leave at 5:30 and pass the call I was dealing with to a collegue as it would have taken a long time to solve the problem it was frowned on. They basically expected me to work an extra hour after work and through my lunch for free and miss an after work appointment I had.
I just said that I had worked through lunch already and needed to go for an appoinment on time.