Maximum Working Hours

Gael23

I’ve got a job interview coming up and the core hours stated are Monday-Friday 8:30 to 6:30.
Is this even legal? Works out at a 50 hour week.

Timberrrrrrrr

Gael23 wrote: »

I’ve got a hub interview coming up and the core hours stated are Monday-Friday 8:30 to 6:30.
Is this even legal? Works out at a 50 hour week.

Could it be 8.30 start 4.30 finish then 10.30 start 6.30 finish?

50 hours is of course legal, i often worked 70/80 hour weeks when i had my head buried in a project.

thunderdog

Common working hours at the German Discount Retailers HQ. They get around it by indicating you can leave at 4.30 on a Friday

myshirt

As long as you don't exceed 288 hours every six weeks you're grand.

Reduce that 50 hour week by breaks, say 30 mins each day, and you will be grand. Two 15 minute breaks would do it.

Mrs OBumble

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

50 hours is of course legal, i often worked 70/80 hour weeks when i had my head buried in a project.

It's not.

Ok occasionally. But over a few months the maximym is 48 per week.

Likely that the OPs job is shifts. My current gig is similar.

Littlehorny

My son worked from 9am to 6pm in a packing job when he was younger and they were docked for the hour that they took as breaks. So even though he was there for 45 hours, he was paid for 40 and this was legal.

Gael23

It could be shifts alright, never thought of that.
The recruitment consultant just told me what I posted above but she may have it wrong

caviardreams

There would be an hour for lunch out of the most likely - so it's only a 45 hour week (well under the 48 hour max average) even if it's not shift work

whoopsadaisy

caviardreams wrote: »

There would be an hour for lunch out of the most likely - so it's only a 45 hour week (well under the 48 hour max average) even if it's not shift work

Was just going to point this out. Nothing illegal at 45 hours - of course it's more than the average 37.5 / 40 hour working week, but it's not illegal.

nlrkjos

50 hour week ! lovely, my average working week is 94 hrs or 188 per 14 day shift, obviously 20 hours OT...but I get the next four weeks free and paid 20%. but I am limited to 10 shifts a year.

ted1

Gael23 wrote: »

I’ve got a job interview coming up and the core hours stated are Monday-Friday 8:30 to 6:30.
Is this even legal? Works out at a 50 hour week.

45 hours, take away an hour lunch each day.

ligerdub

I'd say those are the working hours.

I nearly got stung for this a few years ago. I interviewed with an investment company in town a few years back. I had a couple of interviews and an informal final meeting with the director.

Then the contract came. It stated hours exactly as you've mentioned. It also then included a part where it stated that by signing the contract I'd be waiving my right to certain rights as per standard employment rights......such as break periods over a certain number of hours, and consecutive days working. I can't remember the exact details but that was roughly it.

I probably would have been ok with those hours the odd time, but as far as contracted hours to agree on as standard.....no thanks! The reality is those hours are likely to be much, much longer.

The recruitment agent was very pushy and wanted me to confirm I was taking the job before close of business Friday (same day). He told me there was a mistake and that I incorrectly received a contract built off a director template, but that I should go ahead and verbally agree to take the role as sent to me. I said I wouldn't before speaking to the hirer to clarify all this.

The hirer then clarified the terms were correct and that's what they all sign up for. I respected the fact that they did so, and that they made no secret of that (unlike the recruiter!). I turned down the role though when I heard that.

Gael23

Would it be appropriate to ask for clarification on this at the interview?

B_ecke_r

sounds like a shift alright,

you will be on rotation between those hours by sounds of it

El Tarangu

Littlehorny wrote: »

My son worked from 9am to 6pm in a packing job when he was younger and they were docked for the hour that they took as breaks. So even though he was there for 45 hours, he was paid for 40 and this was legal.

This has been the case for every job that I've worked - salaried and waged roles, manual labour and office jobs.

El Tarangu

Gael23 wrote: »

Would it be appropriate to ask for clarification on this at the interview?

Of course - if they don't bring it up themselves, definitely ask.

AndyBoBandy

When I was working in the field as a field engineer, it wasn't uncommon to work 7 13 hour shifts in a week! (including in Ireland).

The average power station would lose around €300,000 per day when it's not generating electricity, so they want to be back online asap, and are quite happy to pay a premium for their maintenance work to be done asap.

ligerdub

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

When I was working in the field as a field engineer, it wasn't uncommon to work 7 13 hour shifts in a week! (including in Ireland).

The average power station would lose around €300,000 per day when it's not generating electricity, so they want to be back online asap, and are quite happy to pay a premium for their maintenance work to be done asap.

And that's fine, and people who want to sign up to that should be able to do so.

However, it's not for everyone, and people are better off knowing what they are signing up for so that they can make that decision.

AndyBoBandy

ligerdub wrote: »

And that's fine, and people who want to sign up to that should be able to do so.

However, it's not for everyone, and people are better off knowing what they are signing up for so that they can make that decision.

The OP is going for an interview, and he has been made fully aware of the hours expected of him (should they be successful at interview stage). So it's up to the OP if they want to accept the position, & work the hours being proposed.

Gael23

I can’t accept a 50 hour week. Not for the salary on offer anyway.

BuboBubo

It's probably a continental shift pattern job, 4×12 hour shifts, 3 days off. If the pay is sh1te I wouldn't bother with it.

caviardreams

Gael23 wrote: »

I can’t accept a 50 hour week. Not for the salary on offer anyway.

But it's a 45 hour week? There would definitely be a lunch break I am sure and no job I have ever had pays for lunch breaks, your working hours are always specified as net of breaks from my experience. That said a 40 hour week net of breaks is more common.

Gael23

caviardreams wrote: »

But it's a 45 hour week? There would definitely be a lunch break I am sure and no job I have ever had pays for lunch breaks, your working hours are always specified as net of breaks from my experience. That said a 40 hour week net of breaks is more common.

My last job was 8:30 to 5pm including an hour for lunch so it’s a big increase for a 15% pay rise

caviardreams

Gael23 wrote: »

My last job was 8:30 to 5pm including an hour for lunch so it’s a big increase for a 15% pay rise

Absolutely, 45 hours versus 37.5 is a big increase. I was just making the point that it is likely a 45 hour week and not a 50 hour week.

El Tarangu

Gael23 wrote: »

I can’t accept a 50 hour week. Not for the salary on offer anyway.

Go along to the interview anyway - you can always (i) turn them down, (ii) ask for more money.


They may not accept, but you will lose nothing by asking them.

Gael23

So turns out the recruitment consultant didnt have the facts right.

The office is open 8:30-6:30 but you work a 7.5 hour shift within that. So for instance one day you might do 8:30 to 5pm and another 10am to 6:30pm or whatever in between. That makes it a 37.5 hour week which is exactly what I had before.