My job makes it hard for me to leave at my contracted shift time - what do I say to employers?

accidentalglixch

theoretica said:

accidentalglixch said:

I can't change my shift times as I have to be put on a waiting list for 3 months plus I've not been there 6 months yet.

What do you want to change your shift times to?  I imagine your employers would be delighted if you asked to change to something that finished at 9 - and while it is probably not the hours you want, at least they would not run over and would give you certainty.  Maybe something to negotiate for some days that, other days whatever you actually wanted?

9pm is no good for me at all it makes my life so much more worse it would cause more issues for me.
I would've liked to finish at 5pm/5:30pm. 

And I asked when I joined and said I'm struggling with these hours and they told me I can't change them and with an attitude of "your stuck with it and it's very hard to change your shifts after 6months probation. Nothing we can do"

I mean, I'm not even allowed to take my break 15 mins earlier than scheduled to cool off after a really horrible call where my head physically stings from the shouting and situation (part of my fibro). 

diystarter7

accidentalglixch said:

theoretica said:

accidentalglixch said:

I can't change my shift times as I have to be put on a waiting list for 3 months plus I've not been there 6 months yet.

What do you want to change your shift times to?  I imagine your employers would be delighted if you asked to change to something that finished at 9 - and while it is probably not the hours you want, at least they would not run over and would give you certainty.  Maybe something to negotiate for some days that, other days whatever you actually wanted?

9pm is no good for me at all it makes my life so much more worse it would cause more issues for me.
I would've liked to finish at 5pm/5:30pm. 

And I asked when I joined and said I'm struggling with these hours and they told me I can't change them and with an attitude of "your stuck with it and it's very hard to change your shifts after 6months probation. Nothing we can do"

I mean, I'm not even allowed to take my break 15 mins earlier than scheduled to cool off after a really horrible call where my head physically stings from the shouting and situation (part of my fibro). 

Have you considered the disability discrimination route?
Do you get DLA and have a Blue Badge?

[Deleted User]

There are lots of remote customer service jobs on Indeed. Just apply for as many as possible, and say that the last company just wasn't the right fit for you.

MalMonroe

accidentalglixch said:

My shift is 9:30am to 6:00pm but I can never log out for 6pm.

Last night I didn't get off a call until 6.15pm and as soon as that customer hung up, another call came through without a chance to go into ticket writing or log out phone codes.

Now, I did hang up on the last customer and logged out of the systems. 

I'm technically meant to take every call that comes in but after 5.30pm, the phone won't be quiet for the rest of opening time (which is 8pm) and I don't have the time to sit there until 8/9pm at night due to family commitments. 

(One of my colleges was meant to finish at 6pm too but didn't actually get to go until 9pm) 

What do I say to my team leader if I get pulled into a meeting about this?

I can't change my shift times as I have to be put on a waiting list for 3 months plus I've not been there 6 months yet.

I think that is a long enough shift time and it's unfair that you are made to do extra.

Can you ask your team leader why you are routinely expected to work after 6pm when that is your official finishing time?

You may be given time off in lieu but that wasn't what you signed up for, nor what you agreed to. Most people don't mind working a bit of overtime now and again but your employer seems to be taking the biscuit.

Can't your doctors be of more help? My neighbour was diagnosed with fibromyalgia at the beginning of the first lockdown and he was signed off work and he's now had to retire on medical grounds.

Generally, doctors don't like patients to be on strong pain meds for too long because they can be addictive. But there are also support groups for people suffering from fibromyalgia. Info in this link - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fibromyalgia/

You said "I'm not even allowed to take my break 15 mins earlier than scheduled to cool off after a really horrible call where my head physically stings from the shouting and situation (part of my fibro)" - does your employer offer any training? You shouldn't be subjected to being shouted at, especially when you're on NMW.

The only good thing to possibly say about your job is that it's giving you experience. It may be unpleasant but you will hopefully be able to use that experience to get another job.

I do hope you manage to either get things sorted out or a new job (ideally the latter) - and it wouldn't hurt just to check with Acas if there is anything at all you can do in the meantime. 

https://www.acas.org.uk/contact

Maskface

Would reasonable adjustments come into this at all?

accidentalglixch

diystarter7 said:

accidentalglixch said:

theoretica said:

accidentalglixch said:

I can't change my shift times as I have to be put on a waiting list for 3 months plus I've not been there 6 months yet.

What do you want to change your shift times to?  I imagine your employers would be delighted if you asked to change to something that finished at 9 - and while it is probably not the hours you want, at least they would not run over and would give you certainty.  Maybe something to negotiate for some days that, other days whatever you actually wanted?

9pm is no good for me at all it makes my life so much more worse it would cause more issues for me.
I would've liked to finish at 5pm/5:30pm. 

And I asked when I joined and said I'm struggling with these hours and they told me I can't change them and with an attitude of "your stuck with it and it's very hard to change your shifts after 6months probation. Nothing we can do"

I mean, I'm not even allowed to take my break 15 mins earlier than scheduled to cool off after a really horrible call where my head physically stings from the shouting and situation (part of my fibro). 

Have you considered the disability discrimination route?
Do you get DLA and have a Blue Badge?

 I don't get DLA and no blue badge as I don't drive.

[Deleted User] said:

There are lots of remote customer service jobs on Indeed. Just apply for as many as possible, and say that the last company just wasn't the right fit for you.

Yeah I have been applying for a few - most say they are remote but I have to spend a week or the first month but it's too far for me to travel - I've had people say my CV is really good and I've gotten lots of advice with what needs to change on it which I've done and still no luck. 

accidentalglixch

MalMonroe said:

accidentalglixch said:

My shift is 9:30am to 6:00pm but I can never log out for 6pm.

Last night I didn't get off a call until 6.15pm and as soon as that customer hung up, another call came through without a chance to go into ticket writing or log out phone codes.

Now, I did hang up on the last customer and logged out of the systems. 

I'm technically meant to take every call that comes in but after 5.30pm, the phone won't be quiet for the rest of opening time (which is 8pm) and I don't have the time to sit there until 8/9pm at night due to family commitments. 

(One of my colleges was meant to finish at 6pm too but didn't actually get to go until 9pm) 

What do I say to my team leader if I get pulled into a meeting about this?

I can't change my shift times as I have to be put on a waiting list for 3 months plus I've not been there 6 months yet.

I think that is a long enough shift time and it's unfair that you are made to do extra.

Can you ask your team leader why you are routinely expected to work after 6pm when that is your official finishing time?

You may be given time off in lieu but that wasn't what you signed up for, nor what you agreed to. Most people don't mind working a bit of overtime now and again but your employer seems to be taking the biscuit.

Can't your doctors be of more help? My neighbour was diagnosed with fibromyalgia at the beginning of the first lockdown and he was signed off work and he's now had to retire on medical grounds.

Generally, doctors don't like patients to be on strong pain meds for too long because they can be addictive. But there are also support groups for people suffering from fibromyalgia. Info in this link - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fibromyalgia/

You said "I'm not even allowed to take my break 15 mins earlier than scheduled to cool off after a really horrible call where my head physically stings from the shouting and situation (part of my fibro)" - does your employer offer any training? You shouldn't be subjected to being shouted at, especially when you're on NMW.

The only good thing to possibly say about your job is that it's giving you experience. It may be unpleasant but you will hopefully be able to use that experience to get another job.

I do hope you manage to either get things sorted out or a new job (ideally the latter) - and it wouldn't hurt just to check with Acas if there is anything at all you can do in the meantime. 

https://www.acas.org.uk/contact

It's just the way they do things - we asked in training and they said because "you just can't put the phone down, you have to answer because they are a customer" 

Nah, I was on a high dose of Pregablin (Helps calm nerves) but my new doctors say I have to be weaned off of them because they just 'hide' the pain but they worked amazing. I'm on half the original dose and am meant to go down but I am struggling.
Apparentally - Therapy, cold water swimming and exercise will cure Fibro. 

But my therapy isn't helping much and I am in more pain now than i ever was - doctors refuse to give me pain killers other than paracetomol (so I've had to resort to trying things like CBD oil - with no THC of course) 

Training wouldn't of mattered - I dealt with the situation how I was trained. It's just the nature of my job, I get these kinds of calls all the time. Just this call happened when I was already in a flare. 

I will defo check out ACAS though 

accidentalglixch

Maskface said:

Would reasonable adjustments come into this at all?

Leave on time or at 5.30pm , 
Being able to take a few minutes for a breather or to use the toilet/grab a drink/take meds/Grab hotwater bottle outside of breaks without having making up. 

General_Grant

accidentalglixch said:

diystarter7 said:

accidentalglixch said:

theoretica said:

accidentalglixch said:

I can't change my shift times as I have to be put on a waiting list for 3 months plus I've not been there 6 months yet.

What do you want to change your shift times to?  I imagine your employers would be delighted if you asked to change to something that finished at 9 - and while it is probably not the hours you want, at least they would not run over and would give you certainty.  Maybe something to negotiate for some days that, other days whatever you actually wanted?

9pm is no good for me at all it makes my life so much more worse it would cause more issues for me.
I would've liked to finish at 5pm/5:30pm. 

And I asked when I joined and said I'm struggling with these hours and they told me I can't change them and with an attitude of "your stuck with it and it's very hard to change your shifts after 6months probation. Nothing we can do"

I mean, I'm not even allowed to take my break 15 mins earlier than scheduled to cool off after a really horrible call where my head physically stings from the shouting and situation (part of my fibro). 

Have you considered the disability discrimination route?
Do you get DLA and have a Blue Badge?

 I don't get DLA and no blue badge as I don't drive.

amazonian17 said:

There are lots of remote customer service jobs on Indeed. Just apply for as many as possible, and say that the last company just wasn't the right fit for you.

You don't have to be the driver to get a blue badge.  Even if not required every day, it can be used any time you are out being driven by someone else.  It's specific to you (in this case the passenger) and not the car or driver.

eamon

I know that the OP feels to be in a vulnerable position. But the bottom line is time = money. So unless the OP is getting paid for this extra time then the answer is simple, turn the equipment off when your shift is over. I do it and don't feel any qualms about it what so ever.