Overtime required 'from time to time'

[Coffeeanddarkchoc]

If you saw this written in an employee handbook for a job, how often would you think overtime was required?

[TidyDancer]

Depends on the job and hours of operation etc. Can you give some more info?

[Kezzie200]

I would interpret it to mean of they get into a sticky situation you'll be needed.

If it was a small business I would assume it would mean, for example, if more than a usual number of staff were off sick. Where they couldn't really be expected to predict.

[Biancadelrioisback]

Is overtime paid?

[Herja]

Depends on the company. I've had some say that and mean at peak customer periods (a few weeks a year) and some lying tossers who meant a few hours every week with almost no notice.

[AFuturisticalSound]

It would be impossible for me to know without asking as it's a generic phrase with no set meaning

[Gizlotsmum]

I would assume at busy times. So maybe year end, any reporting period, something goes wrong, audit… not a regular thing

[CookieMumsters]

"Time to time" would make me think a handful of times a year

[CaddieDawg]

Peaks and troughs every now and again to cover peaks in demand. So a few weeks of extra hours then nothing for a while

[TerribleCustomerCervix]

Infrequent - as a pp said, to get them out of a unforeseen staffing hole, or to help with a last minute audit or something.

If it was with any regularity, like a Payroll team being expected to work unpaid in the day’s leading up to every pay run, that’s when there’s be an issue.

[topcat2014]

No more than once a month

[Booknooks]

I would say occasionally too, most places I have worked before at least some of the team have been keen for overtime.

[PigletJohn]

About as often as they'd think if you said "I may need an afternoon off from time to time"

[Becca19962014]

This was in my T&C for a training contract, told it was standard and didn't matter. Two weeks in I was expected to work until 8pm every ten working days, as time in lieu; I wasn't prepared and ended up needing to stop my voluntary work and by the time I left they owed me days off that I couldn't take (when you clocked up two days it would reset and the job required me to start at 8:30am every day).

Best thing is to ask.

When my traineeship ended I mentioned it as an issue (I'd registered to do an evening class as well as volunteering) as I was forced to pull out.

The NHS managed it differently.

[Becca19962014]

• didn't matter as in wasn't ever needed by trainees.

[unsure111]

When I went for my interview they said the same. 3 weeks after I was "trained" I was doing nearly full time hours with the over time. I ended up going to speak to the manager and said I couldn't do all these extra hours. Everyone who has started after me has had it happen to them as well.

[HungryHippo11]

Once a month?

[Hercisback]

Depends on the type of work, hours in your contract, and the company.

[WeRTheOnesWeHaveBeenWaitingFor]

No more than once or twice a month

[Flowers500]

Depends entirely on the sector and type of role, as well as how keen you are on promotion.