Contracted hours + overtime clause

savings37

A problem I could do with some advice on if possible please.

My salaried position working hours are 7am until 4pm with an hour lunch break unpaid (40 hours per week, Mon to Fri).  This is stated in my contract.

My contract also states overtime as and when required which is unpaid.

Now the problem I face is doing my hours and getting home to my dependants to look after them. This is fine during my normal hours but if I have too much work on it is causing issues with the finishing time of 4pm.

Some people in my workplace don't ever have this problem as they don't have too much work put on them.

I'm happy to forego my lunch hour as long as I can finish at 4pm...what implications does this have with my employment if I leave at 4pm with work left to do? Bearing in mind I've effectively completed 1 hour overtime during my unpaid lunch hour.

Many Thanks

oh_really

"OT as and when required" is far too vague and ambiguous, it needs clarified and some measure of monitoring and reasonableness agreed.

If you have caring commitments is there a policy regarding this?

Have you considered lodging a flexible working request?

Union?

savings37

Thanks for your reply,

I have always thought the "OT as and when required" is too vague. It could be 30 mins or 3 hours. I doubt my employer would clarify what they deem reasonable on this. 

This problem only arises occasionally and is only a problem 2 days per week, but it causes stress and undue pressure on those occasions. 

Not part of a union and I've not been shown any policy on caring.

Do you think the employer has grounds for disciplinary action if I worked to my hours on those rare occasions and it is mentioned well in advance that I need to finish at my contracted finishing time?

I may add that I'm also happy to start earlier, which I often do. But the finishing time is something that is dictated by caring for dependants.

Apintplease

If working overtime as an when required for nothing brings you under the NMW - its unlawful

As a carer for dependents you do have rights

I am, I work for a small company who really dont take much notice of best working practices, we work when the work is there, we go home when its not, BUT I have said I have to finish at 3pm or I cant work there anymore as I have caring responsibilities ( which I legit do )

I now finish at 3pm, although obviously if Ive only 10 mins more to do to get the job done I stay on, and obviously if we are snowed under, I stay as late as I can, but no one bats an eye when I say bye Im off.

Do your co workers understand what you are dealing with out of work? Mine never until I spoke up and now they are ok with it. They prefer me to be there as a hard worker, then getting rid off and trying to train someone else up to the speed required

getmore4less

You need to manage your workload if there is too much to do.

If you can't reduce the workloads be selective what gets prioritised and if you can't leave late look at starting early.

TELLIT01

Your employer may not be happy for you to forego your lunch break and you cannot demand to be allowed to work through without a break.  You certainly need to discuss the situation with your employer and not just refuse to work overtime if/when required.