Anyone work in a field based job?

[MrsKOBrien]

Hi,

I have been offered a field based job but I am concerned about using my own time for travelling. I am based in the north east but my territory would be the north and midlands. I asked at the interview but was given a vague answer.

It is 37.5hrs but the contract says that flexibility is required and more hours may be required that will be unpaid. I don't want to end up being away from home 60hrs a week! Obviously, hotel stays will be needed if the distance is too far (paid for by the company).

Anyone else work the field? How does it work?

[BackforGood]

I don't think people will be able to say, as each employer works things differently.
I have friends who are very well paid for what they do, but the downside is they sort their own travel time. I know of someone else who counts traveling as work time, but then their pay is pretty poor. Others have various compromises. It really will depend on your employer, and your contract.

[LittleMissedTheSunshine]

I do, but I don't do 60 hour weeks! I mainly travel within working time, occasionally not, but it all balances out so I don't feel i'm working over my contracted hours. All depends on how much work you have to fit in really.

[Kelsoooo]

I've a guess of who you're working for.

Field based. Yeah kinda do and kinda don't travel in my own time.

Gotta think of half an hour either side is a typical commute so that's negated.

[MrsKOBrien]

Hi,

I have spoken to some of their employees and the manager. They reckon it does balance out as you sometimes get early finishes and can shoot off home or you may not need to be somewhere until the afternoon (but, I guess I will have a late finish).

My commute, where I work now, is only half an hour so I am very reluctant to travel to somewhere (where I am not staying overnight) and have a 4 hr or more round trip each day.

[MrsKOBrien]

The agency, I went through, have tried to reassure me and say that people would leave if they had to work like that and that it was a good company.
I have 2 kids (10/14) so worry about them with this but they have given me a damn good offer and opportunity (and I won't get this where I am now).

[GinnyWreckin]

I used to get mileage and wear and tear. Also a per diem.
Over night expenses and meal allowances too.
Talk with hr, get it in your contract.

[Nonotmenori]

I'm field based. I work 70 hours a week. My contract states 37.5 but I've never done those hours. If you get commission and you want to earn it be prepared to do the hours.

[siamesecat1]

I was field based for 20 years until a year ago.
Hours tend to be longer, much longer, though yes there is the flexibility there for the odd early finish or longer lunch (or just a lunch!) when you need it but then you might be working into the evening to make up for it.
I was always contracted for 37/37.5 hours but anywhere between 45 and 55 was the norm, with spells doing 60-70 hours sometimes too.
Travelling Sundays/Bank Holidays for team meetings the next day and getting home 9pm/10pm afterwards was expected too, with no time off in lieu or overtime paid for that.
On saying that, despite that probably negative picture, I loved it.

[Kelsoooo]

I guess it depends on what your field based role is then.

I’m contracted to 37.5 and average about that during a month, some days I will do a ten hour day but I’ll counterwct that the next day.

And I guess being salaried and not commission based helps.