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Legality of Unpaid Overtime?

  • 11-02-2012 5:09pm
    #1
    ferike1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,785 ✭✭✭


    Just reading some law and it was saying that the average working week can't exceed 48hrs over a 4, 6 or 12 month period. What about unpaid overtime which is a feature of working at Big Four. Is this legal? Does anyone know?


Comments

  • #2
    oxysept
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 50 ✭✭oxysept


    The working time regs apply paid or not ..... but if your concerned about unpaid over time you may be taking the wrong career path - big four, small practice, industry - all the same - the average working week for accounts is long


  • #3
    ferike1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,785 ✭✭✭ferike1


    I know its long sadly :D, I am questioning the legality of working overtime and receiving no form of compensation for it. At what point does it become legally unacceptable?


  • #4
    Alan Shore
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 735 ✭✭✭Alan Shore


    I think that accountants are paid salaries, which include compensation for unpaid overtime. As long as the average number of hours does not exceed the WTD there is no law against it.


  • #5
    Marcusm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,760 ✭✭✭✭Marcusm


    The terms of employment which you should have received with your job offer will specify the basis on which you are remunerated. Without knowledge fo the terms of those, any comments here are mere speculation.


  • #6
    ferike1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,785 ✭✭✭ferike1


    The contract stipulates that excess hours are to be worked to get the job done for which no remuneration will be paid.

    I get the terms, it just seems a bit vague is all. Excess hours - doesn't actually say how much.


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  • #7
    Posy
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 27,863 Mod ✭✭✭✭Posy


    oxysept wrote: »
    The working time regs apply paid or not ..... but if your concerned about unpaid over time you may be taking the wrong career path - big four, small practice, industry - all the same - the average working week for accounts is long
    What kind of hours is the average working week for accountants?
    I know a guy who is an accountant and he works 8-5 Monday to Friday. Does it vary in the big 4 because it's a bigger salary or just if you're a junior?


  • #8
    djk1000
    Closed Accounts Posts: 899 ✭✭✭djk1000


    Posy wrote: »
    What kind of hours is the average working week for accountants?
    I know a guy who is an accountant and he works 8-5 Monday to Friday. Does it vary in the big 4 because it's a bigger salary or just if you're a junior?

    My first job in practice was 8-5, most people would generally be out by 5.30, at certain times of the year we could be there until 9 or later (tax season). But we'd get time of in leu, usually used for study leave.

    My second job in practice was 9 - 6, most people would be there until 7.30 at least everyday. Being nabbed by a partner to stay late was a regular thing and I was often in until 10 or later (couple of times a week at least). I'd be able to go in a little late the next day thanks to a decent manager, but no overtime or time off in leu unless specifically pre authorised by the partner (culture was to not get OT authorised, see below)

    Everyone just did it because there aren't a lot of options these days. One guy complained, he was told that there was no obligation to stay late and he could leave on time if he wanted to. Two months later his contract wasn't renewed and someone else was hired in his place. We all got that message loud and clear.

    Long story short, the higher ups worked the long hours to get there, many expect their juniors to do the same, they know that there aren't a lot of other options. In return, you hope to get rewarded well financially in the future and have juniors working their asses off to fund your 5 series and holiday home in Tuscany.


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