Can you be sacked for not doing overtime?

falko89

I don't mind doing the odd hour here or there but not when I am already working 43hrs per week in this new job, the most hours I've ever worked in any job in the past was 39.5hrs per week, and generally when over time arose there was some sort of incentive to get you to do it IE time and a half etc, min wage isn't exactly motivating, but as I say I don't mind the odd hour here or there but that's not enough, its and extra 2-3 hours per night, to hell with that is what I say, by the time i'd get home kids would be in bed etc etc and as I say 43hrs per week is already to long. Can I be sacked for saying NO?

ILW

You spent ages going on about how you could not get a job. Now you have one you are moaning about too much work.

gibson123

you have few rights because you have not been in the job long enough. If everyone else if doing over-time then you probably have to do it. Instead of fighting your employers try to compromise wit them, have a word and say i am happy to work Monday and Wednesday overtime but Tues, Thurs and Friday are nights i do things with my kids and cannot do over-time these nights. This way there is an understanding of what you are happy to do.

gibson123

ILW wrote: »

You spent ages going on about how you could not get a job. Now you have one you are moaning about too much work.

I would also be complaining if I couldn't spend time with my kids and put them to bed. Getting a work / family life balance is IMHO one of the most important things you can do. There are too many men and women currently only seeing their kids when they are asleep.

bluenoseam

There does come a point where you have to weigh up the job versus your life balance!

jackieb

My nephew got a job and he was on probation for about 3 months. Despite working some weekends he was told he didn't do enough overtime and he was let go. He wasn't off sick or anything in that time. They didn't have a problem with his work, or so they said. They told him it was down to not doing enough overtime.

josie.d

Do they ask first? What does your contract say in terms of overtime expectation? Overtime shouldn't be compulsory, but voluntary, and if you can't do it, you should be able to say no without it being held against you, expecially if you have children to see to. You need a good home/work balance.

falko89

jackieb wrote: »

My nephew got a job and he was on probation for about 3 months. Despite working some weekends he was told he didn't do enough overtime and he was let go. He wasn't off sick or anything in that time. They didn't have a problem with his work, or so they said. They told him it was down to not doing enough overtime.

I'm also on 3 month probation, was he entitled to benefits after being let go like this?

I hate the way thing are going in this country due to lack of jobs, longer hours, lower pay, expected overtime and the rest and if you don't like it on you go.

falko89

josie.d wrote: »

Do they ask first? What does your contract say in terms of overtime expectation? Overtime shouldn't be compulsory, but voluntary, and if you can't do it, you should be able to say no without it being held against you, expecially if you have children to see to. You need a good home/work balance.

I must go and look at my contract, yes my thoughts exactly, you need a home/work balance.

josie.d

My children come before anything else, and if working got in the way with my childcare commitments, then I would be looking for another job. Is that an option you could consider?

When I am asked to do overtime at work, if I can then I will, If I can't then I say so and it has never been held against me, but then my employers understand that some of us have families too.

jackieb

falko89 wrote: »

I'm also on 3 month probation, was he entitled to benefits after being let go like this?

I hate the way thing are going in this country due to lack of jobs, longer hours, lower pay, expected overtime and the rest and if you don't like it on you go.

I'm sorry, I can't help you with that as he never claimed anything as he didn't want to be 'on the dole'. He's single and lives with his parents. We told him he should claim even for his NI stamp. He got a better job a couple of months after and he was glad to be out of there.

I don't think it was right. He had commitments (okay, not a family, but he played football for a local team so he couldn't work every weekend), but he did do overtime when he could, and he worked all his contracted hours. I think it was harsh.