drive dangerously tired or get your notice

marybelle01

the_insider wrote: »

I think the point we're all missing here is that the OP has implied in the title of the thread that his employer is forcing him to drive when he's dangerously tired.

He's choosing to drive (rather than get to and from work by any other means) and he's choosing to do it when tired rather than having a snooze. The employer doesn't care how tired he is when be finishes or whether or not his kids are at home when he's working nights. As long as he's there and fit to perform his duties his boss is happy!

I agree. We are also forgetting that it is not the employers choice that he works up to three extra full days a week on top of his already full time job. TBH it is the OP who is making themselves dangerously tired and then choosing to drive when in that state - not the employer forcing them to.

getmore4less

Normal shifts seem to be 12hr 4 on/off

That's an average of 42hr pw if you average more than 6hr on OT and second job you probably need to opt out on both jobs.

marybelle01

I don't think you realise that nobody is saying it isn't hard work, or even that it's a great job. But what you do in your own time (which includes commuting to and from work - that isn't working time!) is not the employers problem or concern. If the job doesn't suit you, you are right - the answer is get another job. But the hours you are doing are legal; the contract may not be what you like either, but it's legal. As others have said, you can opt out of working more than 48 hours, but if you did I wouldn't hold my breath on how long the job would last.

Tiddlywinks

You had more than the prescribed rest between shifts in the example you gave in your opening post.

You choose to live an hour away from work.

You choose to work a second job.

Instead of blaming your employer, you need to understand how YOU are contributing to your situation.

rebel1012

i agree a life on the dole would be MUCH better than the only jobs available

I like your thinking

starrystarry

rebel1012 wrote: »

i agree a life on the dole would be MUCH better than the only jobs available

I like your thinking

If these are the only jobs available, and you're not prepared to give up the second job, then you need to find a way to make it work. Safely. Something will have to give. Your employer needs staff who are able to work extra hours sometimes. If you can't do that because of your other job or your commitments at home then you're not the right person for the employer. You need to think about this from your employers point of view.

starrystarry

I completely understand why you want to do the second job. Who wouldn't? But you need to accept that this contributes to your overall tiredness. Do you understand why your main employer needs flexibility?

Takeaway_Addict

If you're second job isn't leading to anything of substance....why bother?

starrystarry

rebel1012 wrote: »

I can understand why they would want it...but what someone wants and what is possible are not always compatible. I explained why I cant do it to them after the first time and they understood what I was telling them and seemed to agree it wasent a good thing........then they came back with that

It is possible though. If they can't get the flexibility they need from you, they'll employ someone else.

You're not getting it. Unless you're irreplaceable, they don't have to adapt, you do.

anamenottaken

rebel1012 wrote: »

I can understand why they would want it...but what someone wants and what is possible are not always compatible. I explained why I cant do it to them after the first time and they understood what I was telling them and seemed to agree it wasent a good thing........then they came back with that

So true. What someone (you) wants and what is possible (given the employer's requirements) are not, it would seem, compatible in this case.

You are well aware that, though the rate for the second job is much higher than the first, it is the first which is actually bringing in (more?) money on a regular basis.