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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have taken overtime when other workers usually take it?

59 replies

OvertimeSchmovertime · 28/11/2025 12:28

I’m new to my office (around a month) and an offer of overtime came up today. I immediately said yes because money is tight and I could do with it. After I said yes, 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. Apparently it’s a bit of an unwritten rule. AIBU to take it anyway? Even if it’s just for a month or two I could really use the money heading into the new year

OP posts:
Butchyrestingface · 28/11/2025 15:03

OvertimeSchmovertime · 28/11/2025 12:38

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.

I’m on the bones of my arse. Even £250 extra this month would be really useful.

I’m on the bones of my arse. Even £250 extra this month would be really useful.

Could you tell them that? Normally I'd say your financial circumstances are none of your colleagues fucking business but you're only two minutes in the door and presumably don't want to get off on a bad foot.

TofuEater · 28/11/2025 14:56

Ive worked in places where part timers assume they can do regular overtime and earn more than full-timers for shorter hours. Causes a lotof ill feeling. Just grab the overtime if you need it

Nightlight8 · 28/11/2025 14:53

It's might just be someone poking their nose in! I would raise it with your manager. You take it OP.----

ContinuewithGoogle · 28/11/2025 14:51

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

yes, and so am I. That's why I am working full-time to start with.

jellybellyready · 28/11/2025 14:49

Id take it and say you also need the money so you wont be turning it down either.

ClareBlue · 28/11/2025 14:09

Presumably the only reason the over time is needed is because there are 3 workers working part time. So I want to work part time but that means I have less money, so I'll work over time to make up my money and nobody else can earn a bit extra because I need it because I work part time. It's a big piss take that one😂

TheatricalLife · 28/11/2025 13:54

Fuck that.
I'd actually have no shame about saying I also needed the money this month and continuing to take what was available.

2boyzNosleep · 28/11/2025 13:51

Take the overtime, it was offered. If these 3 people are struggling they should think about increasing their hours.
If they always do overtime then they are clearly free on a regular basis outside their contracted hours.
Not your problem.

Sunflower459 · 28/11/2025 13:49

OvertimeSchmovertime · 28/11/2025 13:39

It’s sometimes enhanced sometimes not. Honestly even if it was just 20 hours it would make a huge difference to me

Yeah, they don’t get to take PT and ramp it up to FT on an enhanced rate like that. They should work FT if they want to.

Original poster
OvertimeSchmovertime · 28/11/2025 13:39

It’s sometimes enhanced sometimes not. Honestly even if it was just 20 hours it would make a huge difference to me

OP posts:
Northquit · 28/11/2025 13:39

Sunflower459 · 28/11/2025 13:20

Hang on, they’ve chosen to work part-time and then think they have a natural right to overtime to make up the difference? Is overtime paid at a higher rate? Either way, if PT was their choice then that’s what they chose. If they’re languishing on PT when they want FT and are desperately trying to earn extra I might see the sense of this.

I think they're cheeky mofos.

bridgetreilly · 28/11/2025 13:31

If they are struggling, they need to stop being part time! YANBU, OP.

Sunflower459 · 28/11/2025 13:20

Hang on, they’ve chosen to work part-time and then think they have a natural right to overtime to make up the difference? Is overtime paid at a higher rate? Either way, if PT was their choice then that’s what they chose. If they’re languishing on PT when they want FT and are desperately trying to earn extra I might see the sense of this.

HoskinsChoice · 28/11/2025 13:16

Is overtime paid at a higher rate than normal. Wonder of the part timers were relying on being able to work part of their week at a higher rate? That's their problem though. Never assume. I'd ignore the 'rules'.

Original poster
OvertimeSchmovertime · 28/11/2025 13:01

I’m honestly not arsed if they get angry. We all have a right to it

OP posts:
Purplecatshopaholic · 28/11/2025 12:52

Ooft, this shite is not what you want in a new job! Op, you are as entitled as anyone else to o/t. Taking it however, clearly doesn’t fit with the culture there, and may cause you issues with your co-workers. If you need it, take it, but be prepared for fallout.

TallulahBetty · 28/11/2025 12:48

Then they need to work FT, don't they? Take as much OT as you need.

TheMorgenmuffel · 28/11/2025 12:48

Then tell that colleague that you are really struggling too.

If your colleagues treat you badly because of this, raise it with hr.

NotrialNodeal · 28/11/2025 12:48

You absolutely should do and not feel bad about doing it but beware it might make things awkward with these 3 colleagues and the one who told you you shouldn't be doing it. It might not be an issue but it wouldn't surprise me if they make one.

DarkPassenger1 · 28/11/2025 12:47

That's insane lol. Pay no mind to it, and if anything else is said say that you will take that on board and then do absolutely nothing with that info. You might mention it in your managerial supervision just so management are aware that colleagues are taking it upon themselves to try and muscle into this process.

Whowhatwhere21 · 28/11/2025 12:47

I'd take it. If the 3 part timers are that desperate for the extra money, surely they could have applied for the full time postion you've taken and had permanent extra money instead of relying on over time.

Octavia25 · 28/11/2025 12:47

Yanbu I detest these unwritten rules. Ridiculous from now on you take it, they need to increase their hours

caringcarer · 28/11/2025 12:44

If people choose to job share and work part time that's surely their choice, just like you choose to work full time. All presumably got email at the same time so first come first served.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 28/11/2025 12:43

OvertimeSchmovertime · 28/11/2025 12:38

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.

I’m on the bones of my arse. Even £250 extra this month would be really useful.

Then tell your coworker that list of 3 is now a list of 4 and the overtime is yours. Don’t feel bad about it

Ladymuckypuddle · 28/11/2025 12:41

Just ignore op and if need be escalate upwards. You haven't done anything wrong.