Working Hours (Specifically Overtime!)

[harriot]

Hello group.

 

I am seeking some advice regarding my permanent employee contract, which I have been discussing with my company for some time now. I have already started the job, incidentally.

 

I'm a high-rate tax payer - so the company do pay a medium level salary for the region I work in, with the work being for a telecommunications services company in the oil&gas business. My main issue with this contract is the ridiculous term for hours outside my normal working day, 9am to 5pm.

 

The terms here essentially make me sound like a slave to the business, and encourage me to worry about the future of working here:

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"Normal working hours are from 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday. Due to the nature of the solutions architect role he will be required to work outside, or beyond, normal working hours or at weekends or on holidays where the Company considers it necessary.

 

He will conform to such hours of work, as may from time to time reasonably be required of him, and shall not be entitled to receive any additional remuneration for work performed outside his normal working hours."

_________________________________

Up until now, we had a fair "time-in-lieu" system, but it has been expressed by new management that they feel it's hard to track such time in lieu, and would prefer project satisfaction and leaving 'an hour early on a Friday' is enough.

 

To be honest, I am being told to just sign it, and if I'm unhappy in the future I can leave. Seems a bit of a sad situation though, as other companies I have worked for like to provide care for the employee.

 

It seems to me I will now be roped into doing weekend work and weekday evening work without any additional remuneration.

 

My response to the manager was: "What fool would sign away their life such as this, unless on a seriously high salary?"

 

If you could please provide any professional thoughts, I would appreciate it - especially from anybody of a legal standing.

[Selexus]

Hello Harriot

 

I'm in exactly the same position. With a few more added complications .

I'll be looking into this in more depth in the coming week or so. If i find anything that will help i'll drop a line in this thread.

In the mean time have you looked into European working time regs ? I'm sure you can't be made to work more than 48hrs per week ?

 

BR

[honeybee13]

Hello there.

 

My OH has a similar contract that says he needs to work additional hours according to the needs of the business, which can be rather open-ended, as we know.

 

I don't know if someone like Sidewinder or some of the other guys would be able to comment on the 'reasonable' and 'from time to time' wording of your contract.

 

My best, HB

[harriot]

I have three interviews in the coming weeks... So I'm leaving this dodgy job instead. I'd advise others to do the same, if you have a notion of self worth.

 

Plenty of employers who will treat you properly. Don't give up!

Edited October 20, 2011 by harriot

[honeybee13]

I'm leaving the job instead. I'd advise others to do the same, if you have a notion of self worth.

 

Plenty of employers who will treat you properly. Don't give up!

 

You're welcome for the comments. I wish my OH had the option to move on as easily as you seem to have.

 

My best, HB

[harriot]

Hello.

 

People often persuade themselves they cannot change job. I believe it is possible for your partner to change jobs, but I do not deny it can be nerve-inducing.

 

Apply for jobs, have a great CV written up, and reviewed by a third party if necessary. Any interviews that come along that look interesting, attend. What's the worst that can happen? A rejection just means he/she was not suitable for the job, and would not have fitted in!

 

The odd fifteen minutes here and there is expected, and it would be petty to complain about that. But long hours here and there add up, and ultimately a decent employer will consider that and offer TOIL and/or overtime, with the employee able to choose between both.

 

Some businesses treat employees like children - those businesses do not deserve your time, which is why alternative working arrangements should be made with an employer who really, genuinely, cares.

 

Best of luck - do not delay - he is throwing his time away right now, in the assumption he will be better off in future. This is a common employer trick, which rarely proves beneficial in the long term.