To have taken overtime when other workers usually take it?

I would be willing to bet that the colleague that took you to one side is a mate of the three part timers and is probably someone that makes life difficult for those in the workplace if they don't do as they are told by the clique.

I would start listings any issues that crop up, making sure to add the time and dates on them so that you have something to fight back with if needed.

"usually three part time workers who take it because they’re always struggling."

Well you weren't to know that so just take it.

colleagues set up a rota between them who wants the over time
if there is any further come back you should suggest that

Anywhere I have worked then it's first come first served. They need to be quicker off the mark next time 🤷‍♀️

You're definitely not being unreasonable.
The only thing that might need to be sorted (and it's not your problem) is that if it is "first come first served" and they only work mornings, it might be unfair if the offers of overtime always come in the afternoon, and you therefore get there first. Another possibility might be that if more than one person wants the overtime, it goes to whoever has least recently had it.

Just tell them that you’re struggling too, then you can all share it going forward.

Well they can always go full time if they are that desperate. You are definitely not unreasonable.

Enjoy the overtime rewards OP. You’ve cleared it with your manager so you have comeback if anyone tries to say anything else to you.

Sounds like the part timers are a bit cheeky. I predict you won’t be the only full timer accepting overtime in the future

You are absolutely NOT unreasonable. Glad your manager laughed at it.
Go for the OT and thats that!

All of this

I'm surprised too that they can get enhanced overtime when they aren't actually working full time anyway. It basically isn't overtime is it?

Bloody cheek of it.

I find it interesting that they get enhanced OT when they’re part time. In my work you don’t get enhancements if you’re working in normal hours and you’re part time. To stop exactly what you’ve just described happening. Anyway no don’t feel guilty, volunteer away and enjoy your Xmas all the more with that little extra boost

You haven't done anything wrong, you need the money same as they do.

It is wrong that they can make full time money by grabbing all the overtime. It should be on a rota, or first come first served.

If you get any hassle, take it to your manager every time.

I agree , just because it’s always been that way no reason it can’t change and if they need it all the time , maybe they need to work full-time instead.

I agree with the pp who warned you about the colleague who "took you on one side". People like this are oftten the office snitch/shit stirer. In a workplace like this you have two choices: kowtow to the unwritten rules to fit in or start as you mean to go on.

I fit very much into the latter category. If its not a "written" rule it doesnt exist.

Absolutely do the overtime.

I'd usually recommend saying something to your manager about the guilt tripping as well (perhaps wrapped up in a faux-confused "is it OK that I've applied to do overtime because Melanie told me I shouldn't have and im worried about whether the team are judging me?") but can see why you might not want to if you're new.

"I was pulled to the side and said that even though it’s offered to the whole office, there’s usually three part time workers who take it because they’re always struggling."

"It was one of my coworkers who’s said it’s essentially in bad taste as they all know these three people (who have opted to work part time and job share) always take it because they’re struggling."

This stinks.

If they're "always struggling" on part-time wages then they need to apply to go full-time again. The occasional overtime is no substitute for a regular wage.

And if we're going to talk 'bad taste', I personally find it very bad taste to opt to go part-time whilst emotionally blackmailing your co-workers to cede all the overtime to you because you're 'struggling'. You don't get to restrict your colleagues earning opportunities because you chose to be part-time.

I'm sure someone will rock up with 'but they probably can't do full time because they've got responsibilities towards children / elderly parents / whatever'. To which I would say, if they are available to work overtime hours, surely they must be available to work those same hours as part of their regular contract?

No, these three sequestering all the overtime is very bad taste.

Not up to your colleague to be OT Police.

As long as your LM is happy crack on.

Report to mgmt.
Overtime isnt guaranteed and shouldnt be seen as a 2nd income.
1st come, 1st served. You have done nothing wrong.

Well someone has had a month to tell you about unofficial practices, more fool them for not telling you.

Bollocks! Tell your colleague theirs 4 people that ‘normally’ take it now! What knobbery!

The overtime is open to anyone and everyone, but I think I’d raise this with my line manager because it might make the part-timers behave differently (not nicely) towards you which won’t be pleasant and would need nipping in the bud. I’d also be wary of the colleague who told you about this unwritten rule - sounds like a shit stirrer.