Working Hours query

Sago

Hi,
Just wondering if anyone can advise me about this?
In relation to working hours for Sales Reps - would getting to a call be considered working hours ie. leaving the house at 6am for a 9am call???
Would really appriciate some advise....

Cheers

azezil

I wouldn't think so, not unless it occured within your normal working hours. I have to be up at 7 to be in work for 9, I don't see how this would be any different?

ButtermilkJack

Well, if it was happening regularly? If you normally leave your house at 8am to be in work by 9am and your boss suddenly starts asking you to make 3 hour journeys to get to meetings by 9am, then i would discuss it with your boss. Not saying you should be looking for monetary compensation or anything but perhaps you both might come to an arrangement. Let's say you take a half day on fridays if you make 2 or 3 of these runs in a week?

If they're few and far between I'd personally let it go.:)

seamus

Travelling between you home and your place of work is not considered to be part of your working hours. Your contract probably also states that you may occasionally be required to travel to client premises or other places instead of your place of work.

As ButtermilkJack says, if it's a one-off, then I'd leave it go. If you regularly have to travel distances like this, which are not trips to your place of work, then you are entitled to be paid.

Essentially, imagine you normally left for work at 8am, and got in at 9 (like above). Now imagine one day you left at 8am, and went directly to a client premises, and arrived there at 11am. Do you think that you're entitled to be paid for the driving between 9am and 11am? Damn right you are. The same logic applies here, only your working day is starting a little earlier today.

seamus

From: http://tinyurl.com/9gbjk

"working time" means any time that the employee is—

( a ) at his or her place of work or at his or her employer's disposal, and

( b ) carrying on or performing the activities or duties of his or her work,

Suffice to say, if you are travelling to a client premises, then you are "at your employer's disposal".

Sago

Thanks guys -

This query is about my b/friend - the boss is on his back - his contract states that his hours are 9 to 6 each day but if he's leaves his last call at 5.30 the boss is on the phone screaming at him about this and doesn't take into account that he leaves the house most mornings at 6.30/7.00 and some mornings at 5.30.
I just wanted to know where he stands with this. they have a tracker on the car so they know exactly what time he hits the road in the mornings and exactly what time he leave his last call in the evening.

TempestSabre

To be honest its a judgement call if the job is worth the hassle, and to find something else if it isn't. If the boss is that unreasonable to start with I don't hold out for much of a compromise. If it were me I'd say ok well if you want me to finish at 6 on the button, then I'll start at 9 on the button. But he'll might blow his top and fire you. At the end of the day is someone is more concerned about watching the clock thant judging you on results, then you know pretty much life will be a misery. You might have to put up with it just as a stepping stone to something else.

In my previous job I wasn't willing to work extended hours for free on regular basis and we agreed to part company. Been there in the past too many times, and its very almost never worth it. I don't mind if its an infrequent or unusual occurance. But if its everyweek or day then forget it.

Borzoi

Sago wrote:

they have a tracker on the car so they know exactly what time he hits the road in the mornings and exactly what time he leave his last call in the evening.

That says it all really - any company that uses a tracking device on their employees is not that you'd really want to work for.