Overtime Problems

[The_Sherinator]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm hoping all you knowledgable folk on here can offer your assistance .

 

I started a part time job last year. During the interview, I explained that I was looking for part time hours to enable me to pursue a hobby, which I also get paid for, not much but I do it because I love it. I don't claim any credits or anything like that, money isn't everything to me. They were receptive to this and liked hearing about it. They also explained to me that sometimes they may ask that I do some overtime during heavy workload periods, not often, just an hour or so here and there, which I was fine with. I was also told that it is optional, so if I am busy with my hobby then it's not a problem as long as it doesn't interfere with my normal working hours, which it doesn't. But the overtime is constant, not occasional.

 

If they ask me if I can come in an hour early or stay for an extra hour, I will if I don't have plans. Even then, if my own workload takes me over my finish time, I will stay until I've finished to make sure it's done so it doesn't delay other departments. For example, last week they asked if I could come in an hour early, which I did, and I also stayed an hour later without being asked due to my own work, as mentioned above. I should also say that all overtime is paid.

 

However, it seems that the optional aspect may not be entirely true. For example, I was told that I have to stay for an hour longer due to the workload. It was inconvenient and I missed out on earning a few pennies from my hobby that evening due to it, but it didn't matter to them. I have also overheard little comments and tuts from other team members when I'm leaving for the day and they're staying behind, but they haven't been asked to, they're doing it off of their own backs. I don't see how them staying behind is my problem if my workload has been finished and theirs has not.

 

So really, I'm not happy that this overtime doesn't appear to be optional in most circumstances, despite what I was told in the interview and what it says in my contract, and I'm not happy with the other team member's attitude towards me. I realise that I probably can't do much about the latter, it's the most two-faced place I've worked to be honest. Where do I stand? As the overtime is optional then I have every right to turn it down if I'm unable to do it, right? It's really getting me down, I can't make plans anymore and the attitude stinks.

 

Thoughts?

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited June 20, 2016 by The_Sherinator
More detail added.

[Guest]

what exactly does your contract say re.

[The_Sherinator]

Just checked it. It says that I may be required to work in excess of my normal working hours. I suppose I'm screwed then, but that wasn't what was told to me in the interview.

[Sidewinder]

Echo the above question - the key to this is what is in your contract. If it is silent on the matter of overtime then your employer cannot reasonably insist that you give up activities outside of work time. If however there is a clause which requires you to stay behind according to the needs of the business, then 'within reason' this changes the situation. Key element is what may be deemed 'reasonable' however

[Sidewinder]

Just checked it. It says that I may be required to work in excess of my normal working hours. I suppose I'm screwed then, but that wasn't what was told to me in the interview.

 

Ask for a meeting and seek clarification.