Overtime Question...

CyberDave

Just wondering if overtime is always a choice?

I have been asked today to work overtime, but I cannot as I have plans. I get the impression, even though the boss said it was fine. They expected me to change my plans to do the overtime. Maybe I'm just being paranoid.

The fact is we a severely understaffed to start with anyway, so even if I didn't have plans, I wouldn't take overtime as other people who work here have said that you are not always reimbursed for it...

bbam

I would only ever ask for OT to be done, employees are entitled to a life outside work... however I've had a senior manager "encourage" me to knock back folks at performance reviews as they weren't interested in OT, not popular but I wouldn't do it..

Clauric

Technically, there is no requirement to do overtime, unless it is paid. Most salaried positions put in a couple of hours of overtime per week, in order to get the work done.

If you are being paid per hour, I might consider doing the OT, if not, then go out end enjoy yourself, as you won't be paid extra for it.

D.McC

Clauric wrote: »

Technically, there is no requirement to do overtime, unless it is paid. Most salaried positions put in a couple of hours of overtime per week, in order to get the work done.

If you are being paid per hour, I might consider doing the OT, if not, then go out end enjoy yourself, as you won't be paid extra for it.

That’s not entirely true.

It is true that people on salary will put in a few extra hours, as generally the salary they receive would have factored that in. Also, they would be in a position to be able to claim hours in lieu of this time, or perhaps arrange to leave early another time.

If the OP is on an hourly rate, and he asked to do O/T they will be paid for it. But the employer is under on obligation to pay any thing higher then the rate the OP is already receiving.

FYI. I have never done a days overtime in my life!!! :eek: and it hasn't affected me.

pow wow

It may also be in your contract that you're expected to work a 'reasonable' amount of overtime or somesuch (it is in mine!). That said, life happens. So long as you're happy the boss was fine with it I wouldn't overthink it.

derdider

Your contact will usually state if you are required to work over time or whatever. Its usually states you are required to work a "reasonable amount of overtime when required" - which is pretty vague

While you may not have to work overtime im sure its still expected. If you generally do the overtime but genuinely cant this time im sure your boss wont mind.

If you are one of those people who seems to always have an excuse and try to avoid overtime well then im sure your boss will mind.

I know where i work there was three people who all did a similar job. Two of them obviously did whatever they could to help the company out, working overtime as needed, usually without having to be asked while the other fella always had an excuse - i have to take the kids here, the wife is going here tonight so i have to be home to mind the kids etc... (the others had wifes and kids too)

18 months ago when things got tight the guy who avoided the overtime was the one let go even though he was the most senior.

To be honest, i didnt blame the company. Times are tight are we need to do what we can to get jobs out to customers on time to keep them happy. We couldnt let one of the others go and have to rely on him to work on to get jobs out on time during busy periods. Hed have his excuses, go home, jobs wouldnt be done and we'd all be unemployed.

So just bear in mind, while your boss might be ok with it im sure hes keeping note and if you are one of those who seems to genuinely try help out as much as possible im sure he wouldnt hold it against you when you honestly cant work, but if you are one of those who always seems to have an excuse then it may be a problem and you are just putting yourself in an awkward position.

Only you can answer that question though.