'Overtime as and when required'

savings37

Looking for opinions / Knowledge on this please...

My work hours in my contract are 6-3 overtime as and when required, 1 hour lunch break

If i have something planned, booked, childcare what comeback has the company on me if i leave on my contracted hours?

I am in work for 5.30 to 'get ahead'. This follows a somewhat threatening message this week for me standing my ground, to which I felt bullied and continued to work to almost 5pm.

I don't mind going above and beyond but this does affect me on occasional days, others in my workplace would never be expected to work 'late' and i'd imagine they would leave on the contracted hours without any comeback.

If i notify my employer in advance of something important and they still insist I work beyond my hours what can i do about it?

Many Thanks

Undervalued

savings37 said:

Looking for opinions / Knowledge on this please...

My work hours in my contract are 6-3 overtime as and when required, 1 hour lunch break

If i have something planned, booked, childcare what comeback has the company on me if i leave on my contracted hours?

I am in work for 5.30 to 'get ahead'. This follows a somewhat threatening message this week for me standing my ground, to which I felt bullied and continued to work to almost 5pm.

I don't mind going above and beyond but this does affect me on occasional days, others in my workplace would never be expected to work 'late' and i'd imagine they would leave on the contracted hours without any comeback.

If i notify my employer in advance of something important and they still insist I work beyond my hours what can i do about it?

Many Thanks

Well, strictly speaking you would be in breach of contract (depending on the exact wording of your contract)! A contract is more than just a sheet of paper with the word "contract" on it, so it would be worth looking at any other documentation such as a staff handbook etc. Otherwise, on the face of it, you have entered into a contract that requires you to be available for overtime if required.

If you have been employed for less than two years this is largely moot as you would have very little employment protection.

Obviously if you approach your employer, explain the problem, they may well be willing to agree a compromise. Generally a better approach that a flat refusal at a time when they have work that needs doing.

Brie

Ask your employer to tell you in advance of when they might need you, likewise you can tell them when you are not available.  Some people always want to work overtime (£££!!) and others don't or can't.  Any decent manager will understand if you have other commitments outside of your normally scheduled time.

TELLIT01

Expecting people to work overtime without notice is not a reasonable request or expectation.  How long have you worked there?  The content of the OP seems to suggest that the manager or management are not reasonable.  Was the message from you immediate boss or 'down the line' from senior management?

Thrugelmir

What's the nature of the business and your role? 

savings37

This was from an immediate boss

I'm salaried so no money incentive, extra payment isn't an issue anyhow.

I've been employed here almost 9 years

I work in transport as a driver.... yes the unexpected does happen, traffic, breakdowns and that can create overtime which I fully understand. The problem is too much work put on myself at times, its clear that its unachievable within the working hours and also allowing a tachograph break which would require loading duties whilst on 'rest' mode.

The problem I have is getting home for childcare on certain days (1/2 a week), yes I can get them collected from school but its not endless childcare.

As a side issue I am on the receiving end of customers complaints because the deliveries are later and later in the day. it is all taking its toll unfortunately.

TELLIT01

There is a difference between a vehicle breakdown causing the driver to work beyond the expected end time, and expecting others to work late at the drop of a hat.  I would raise the topic of effectively being threatened with higher management.

74jax

What was the threatening message? Was it you would be sacked if you didn't carry out extra work or something else?