Is a company allowed to ask you to work extra without pay

iammumtoone

I work 34 hours

It states in my contract that I have to work extra hours (up to full time hours) if required. However it also states that any extra hours worked will be unpaid.

I have stayed late on a few occasions to catch up without pay, I am fine with this as it is standard practice in office work to do this occasionally.

My question is where do I stand it they ask me to work extra? Are they allowed to ask me to work for no pay? If they are not going to pay me do I have the right to refuse? I appreciate it will only be an extra 3-4 hours per week but I will have to pay childcare to cover those hours so will be losing out if I don't get paid.

Thanks

Sagz_2

Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but haven't you answered your own question?

iammumtoone wrote: »

It states in my contract that I have to work extra hours (up to full time hours) if required. However it also states that any extra hours worked will be unpaid.

Have you signed your contract?

Affynity

My contract states that my employer can ask for any extra hours to suit the needs of the business, the hours aren't paid, my working pattern can be modified in any way the employer needs, I can be relocated as the employer needs.

We get time off in lieu if we work more than we would earn on national minimum wage when you divide our earnings by our hours worked.

Is there a clause in your contract to allow for mitigating circumstances?
You should have a mention of personal circumstances and reasonable notice...

iammumtoone

Yes I have signed the contract. I wasn't going to argue over the point when I was so pleased I had a job (in hindsight perhaps I should have asked about it).

I just wondered if they were allowed to do this? I suppose the answer is yes they can do whatever they like if I have signed and agreed it

Affynity

Are you in a union?
You need to mediate if you feel the extra hours aren't reasonable.
Unreasonable could be: the cost of childcare, the fact you have a duty of care to your children, there is no remuneration for the work.

But I'm sure you will get time off in lieu

iammumtoone

Affynity wrote: »

My contract states that my employer can ask for any extra hours to suit the needs of the business, the hours aren't paid, my working pattern can be modified in any way the employer needs, I can be relocated as the employer needs.

We get time off in lieu if we work more than we would earn on national minimum wage when you divide our earnings by our hours worked.

Is there a clause in your contract to allow for mitigating circumstances?
You should have a mention of personal circumstances and reasonable notice...

That is a valid point if I do work the extra hours up to full time the pay will still work out over MW. I guess I should look at it like that, thanks.

Affynity

iammumtoone wrote: »

That is a valid point if I do work the extra hours up to full time the pay will still work out over MW. I guess I should look at it like that, thanks.

If you're not in a union, join one though. I mean, unions aren't what they used to be, but they certainly tip the odds in your favour when your employer inevitably becomes unreasonable about something.