Pressure to do overtime ?

spiritus

I am on a 10 hr a week contract but have always made myself available for overtime and my normal actual working hours average out about 16-25 hrs a week.

However, for personal reasons I have decided I no longer want to make myself available for overtime on a regular basis as before. There are other part timers in my work place who never get asked to do overtime as the management understand they have personal commitments at home i.e evening classes etc.

The problem is when I mentioned this to one of my supervisors I was told that I would have to arrange someone else to cover my overtime shifts.

I understand most employees may have to make themselves available for overtime from time to time but can I be forced/expected to continue working these overtime hours ?

Savvy_Sue

How long have you been there?

What does your contract say about overtime?

spiritus

I have been there over two years.


I'm not sure I would call it a "contract" just one piece of A4 paper with my name, contracted hours and job title on it.

SecondRow

Well, there's your answer. If it doesn't require you to work overtime, then it is purely voluntary. If you wish to refuse then do so and whilst you're at it, see if you can get a proper contract!

getmore4less

It is usualy not a good idea to just say I want to do less much better to just do less by being unavailable

Become unavailable in advance initialy on a short periods then introduce the you need to check my availability before booking me down for extra time.

Depends on when your contracted hours are and if they are variable.

eg. if you normaly do 10 hours over 2 days and the extra on other days you go away for long weekends or have house guests so you can't work extra

If the hours are extra on a normal work day you have things to do so have to leave on time.


Also point out that if they want you to do more hours they should contract them and pay holidays for them.

Savvy_Sue

spiritus wrote: »

The problem is when I mentioned this to one of my supervisors I was told that I would have to arrange someone else to cover my overtime shifts.

Is this for shifts they've already put you down for, which you now don't want to do? Or is it a general "well if you won't work overtime then it will be up to you to find someone who will?"

Is there an HR dept?

I agree that if you are regularly working overtime and they want you to continue to do so, then increased hours on your contract is the way to go, IF you'd be up for that.

spiritus

My contracted hours are only 10 hours per week. I have always made it known previously that I am available to do overtime as I needed the extra money and so I have normally been given between 16-25 hours a week (but sometimes even more).

The company will give me weeks and weeks of consecutive overtime but will then reduce my hours to only my contracted hours of 10 hrs for one particular week. I have always thought this was done by them to dodge any legislation that may protect employees from being exploited.

I would much prefer to have my contracted hours increased and the company know this so I can only assume they are keeping me on this contract to reduce their liability for holidays, sick pay and redundancy. We hear a lot about zero-hour contract workers being exploited but I know of many friends who work in conditions similar to mine.

I am still on holiday but have phoned into work to see what my hours are for the next rota. My first shift is a 10 hour shift. My second shift would be an additional 8 hours. I have given them a week’s notice of my preference not to work that second shift but I have been told it is my responsibility to arrange alternative cover for my shift.

The HR department are well aware of what is happening regarding low contracted hours but plenty of overtime, in fact, I think they may even be driving the policy.

mrkidd85

Sounds very fishy to me. Write down (even record) everything that you say to management just in case anything nasty goes down.

spiritus

mrkidd85 wrote: »

Sounds very fishy to me. Write down (even record) everything that you say to management just in case anything nasty goes down.

It may sound like a small company but this (believe it or not) is a well known brand with stores over the UK !!

getmore4less

Standard practice in retail and hospitality.

zero hours would be better you get holiday pay for all hours worked.

Savvy_Sue

spiritus wrote: »

I am still on holiday but have phoned into work to see what my hours are for the next rota. My first shift is a 10 hour shift. My second shift would be an additional 8 hours. I have given them a week’s notice of my preference not to work that second shift but I have been told it is my responsibility to arrange alternative cover for my shift.

Ah, in that situation I can understand why they are asking you to arrange cover: the rota has been drawn up and someone's got to work those hours.

In your position, I'd work that shift but indicate that you do not wish to do any more overtime on future rotas without being specifically asked and agreeing. Maybe keep a copy of your terms and conditions handy and point out that you are not required to do more than 10 hours.