Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think partner's overtime is excessive

112 replies

overtimestress · 08/09/2024 10:09

This week by the end of today, he will have worked 70 hours across 5 days (Tues-Sun). Half of those are overtime. I haven't seen him at all really all week. He's done night shifts, early mornings, late evenings... you name it. I'm parenting our toddler by myself and keeping on top of the housework, as well as working 30 hours a week in a mentally and emotionally draining job. AIBU that his is excessive? He doesn't seem to get the message. I feel like I'm drowning and just need him home more often. We don't need all of the extra money - we could get by on half of what he's doing and be comfortable. He just gets obsessed with the figures in his take home pay and it's literally destroying the family and our relationship.

OP posts:
BlueMum16 · 08/09/2024 10:22

I'd be more worried about his health and if he's getting enough rest. When does he sleep?

Morning shifts and night nights with very little rest sounds horrendous. Does his employer not follow the Working Time Directive or has he opted out? Is he driving? I hope he's not operating any machinery.

Time for a talk

overtimestress · 08/09/2024 10:21

@CombatBarbie
Interesting you say that because one of my friends actually said to me surely that cant be legal? I hadn't realised there was a legal limit in terms of working hours. Like he will do a night shift as overtime then he's back at work the next day for 12.30-9pm. Surely this is not OK?? He's opting into the overtime shifts though, they aren't mandating that he must do those. He only has to do his contracted ones. I honestly think they don't care so long as they are adequately staffed. 😢

OP posts:
Thevelvelletes · 08/09/2024 10:21

offyoujollywelltrot · 08/09/2024 10:11

He probably doesn't want to do any parenting.

Saw it in male dominated industry,slow down working to create overtime and when they thought everyone else left for the day, workshops empty and sitting in office on phones, yapping.
This was to avoid going home to help.

DGPP · 08/09/2024 10:19

He doesn’t want to be home, you need to find out why

CombatBarbie · 08/09/2024 10:18

Legally his employer is at fault for allowing him to breach the working time directive. Especially with the lack of down time between shifts.

Think a frank and open discussion is needed. Des he spend any time with DC.

overtimestress · 08/09/2024 10:17

Currently getting me and DD ready for yet another day out solo 😔 what is the point

OP posts:
overtimestress · 08/09/2024 10:17

DD hasn't seen him really all week. I still haven't really seen him properly to have a conversation with him about something the nursery staff handed over to me on Friday afternoon at pick up. It's just days and days of no communication or quality time as a family. I'm so fed up, I feel like I might as well be single. At least then I'd get a proper break when she went to him.

OP posts:
Positivenancy · 08/09/2024 10:15

Sorry, I see you addressed that in your OP 😂 so you need to get to the bottom of why he’s doing the overtime!

overtimestress · 08/09/2024 10:15

Positivenancy · 08/09/2024 10:14

Could you survive on his pay if he didn’t do any overtime?

He'd need to do some, but we could manage on half the hours he's doing.

OP posts:
overtimestress · 08/09/2024 10:14

His week has looked like this:

Tues - worked 8.30am-9pm
Wed - not at work but I was so didn't see him, then he was out on the evening at a social event so i didn't see him that day and neither did DD
Thurs - worked 6.30am-12.30pm, was home during the afternoon for few hours (I was at work), then he left again at 5pm for a night shift
Fri - home in the morning for a few hours sleep before a 12.30-9pm shift
Sat - at work 6.30am - 12.30pm, home a few hours in the afternoon, back at work for night shift by 5pm
Sun (today) - currently sleeping after night shift and will be back at work 12.30pm-9pm

OP posts:
Positivenancy · 08/09/2024 10:14

Could you survive on his pay if he didn’t do any overtime?

offyoujollywelltrot · 08/09/2024 10:11

He probably doesn't want to do any parenting.