contract "no payment for extra hours worked"

[jclm]

I've just got a job, which I'm so happy about.

They have just sent me the contract, but I am worried about one sentence which says "Employee may be required to carry out other jobs, without additional remuneration, should this be necessary".

Is this usual? I have extortionate childcare to pay so I cannot really work any additional hours without pay. I know some of the role involves travel. I am wondering whether they will expect me to travel to the regional offices (in a different country) in my own time... The nanny will still need to be paid so this won't be good for me.

Should I phone the workplace up and query this line?

[jclm]

Bumping for help!

[bigTillyMint]

Maybe it's jobs you will have to do within your contracted time? Not sure how you're supposed to fit extra work in but in my job I have to do what is required for the salary - it's up to me how I fit it in IYSWIM

[JaneAustinAllegro]

assuming this is a salaried job rather than an hourly paid one, then that's perfectly normal - sometimes you'll be required to go on a business trip and you won't get extra pay for being away overnight. If you have meetings abroad on a monday morning, yes they'll expect you to get a sunday night flight.

[TamaraHiddlestoned]

Are you paid by the hour, week or month?
I've always worked in salaried roles & always worked at least 30% more hours than the contract simply because there was stuff to do. Including overseas travel.
Phone the HR dept to clarify, asap.

[starsinyourpies]

Very normal, our policy is you travel in your own time so a Monday meeting in the US means travelling Sunday for me, also they mean if you end up working evenings they don't pay you. Pretty typical I think of salaried jobs.

[OpenMe]

Agree with others if it's a salaried job with any kind of status it's completely usual. It's probably been there in the contracts for similar jobs you may have had before dc

If you have to travel it would never unusual to be paid for the travelling time imo

[HereIAm20]

I read it to mean other duties but during your working hours which is also quite usual too. this means they can ask you to help cover other people's duties such as reception etc if you are usually a secretary or other people's files if they are away.

[PotteringAlong]

I'm a teacher and our contract says something similar about overnight residentials etc.

[Northernlight22]

I've got something similar in mine as I've got a salary not an hourly wage

[OpenMe]

On the bright side though, it does usually mean you get some flexibility. I.e. I put in loads of extra hours but I wouldn't hesitate to attend sports day etc in work time,unless it clashed with something that really couldnt be moved at work (which is why we need some notice please schools!)

[greenlass]

Is it not so you can't go
"But that's not in my job description"
If you're asked to do something to help someone else or something you wouldn't usually do day to day ?

[Mymouthgetsmeintrouble]

I would check , my oh has this and has had to put his foot down as he was working almost as many unpaid hours as paid , its naughty and illegal he will now do an hour here and there as it was causing friction in our relationship as he would be out of the house for 14-18 hours a day yet only being paid for 8 , the company kept saying he had to complete everything before he could go home each day it was a pisstake and hubby was scared he would lise his job if he refused to finish the ridiculous anount of tasks (20 plus projects a day that realistically could take up to a couple of hours each !)then they were giving verbal warnings for every single minor mistake , i told him not to worry about losing his job because he definately has grounds for unfair dismissal and now its a lot better he just finishes up each day and only stays over for urgent projects

[OpenMe]

Yes. I have to say in most roles you can manage those extra hours yourself. You need to be flexible and be prepared to do them when necessary but I work where there's a culture of really long hours - mostly men avoiding bath and bedtime imo! But I've never done as many and I do give the time back to my family if I've done a lot of extra hours, by leaving early etc when I can

[jclm]

Thanks all for this advice / info. I've read the contract again and it does seem to be referring to the fact that I may be asked to do different jobs within my working hours rather than having to work extra hours without pay. I'm only on £25k pro rata so I got a bit panicked as most of the salary will be going to the nanny anyway.