Not to start work 20 minutes early every day, and not get paid for it.

[littlemisssunny]

I have recently been taken on as a casual kitchen assistant by my local council and started my first job this week.

I arrived in plenty of time on my first day so I could get changed etc, and then every day this week I have been there in time to get changed and still be 10/15 minutes early but start work straight away.

The job is very physical and it's my first in a school kitchen. I only do 2 hours a day which I am paid for.

My first job when I get in is the washing up of all the big pots and pans. Today the boss said to me, you should come in earlier to get everything done. (not get paid any extra though).

I thought they had a cheek as I already start earlier than I should, it's a long walk (40 mins each way) and I get changed when I get there and still start early, why should I go in earlier than I do, meaning I work for 20 mins extra which I don't get paid for!

Anyway Aibu or are they!

I think I would have just laughed, as they clearly must be joking.

That's ridiculous. If they have too much work for one person to do in two hours, they need to pay for the time it will take.

Assuming you work at a decent pace - and there's no reason to think you don't - then YANBU and in fact they are being ridiculous. You work for free for charities, not for people who should be paying you!

I think they are saying that you are not getting everything done that needs to be done in your allotted time and you need to speed up or work extra at the same pace and not get paid?

Tell your boss what you have just posted!

Some jobs just seem to expect this, don't they? I remember working in shops and being paid till closing time - forget about the ten minutes over to get customers out, the cashing up, the tidying etc. And bar work too - paid till 11.30 then fannying round unpaid for the next 45 minutes.

It's a bit shit but you need to decide - on a casual contract - if it's worth standing up for, this time.

Bellavita it's only my 3rd day, and the first time I have washed up! I am going as fast as I can, my arms ache and my back aches!

is there a reason for this.

My dh works everyone starts 15 minutes early this enables them to leave friday's afternoon shift early

I work in a shop on a weekend and regularly start 5 mins early finish 5 mins late, so I'm not adverse to doing extra, but they appreciate it, and I work more hours there.

It's almost a quarter of my hours extra they want me to do each day!

Just start arriving on time. Leaving might be a bit harder - when I had jobs in shops, it was impossible to get out on time. Although I did sign out when I actually left, so at least I got paid.

why do you start 15/10 mins early?

But is the washing up that doesn't get done being given to someone else who is expected to do it an their own jobs in the time they have?

I know washing up in a kitchen is hard work, I have done it myself.

If you work for the local council, are you a member of the Union? Whilst I wouldn't advocate lodging a formal complaint in your first week, they could be useful if this continues being a problem.
You might find once you get more familiar with the job, you are able to fit in all the duties associated with the job. If not, then it sounds like there is more job than there is time to do it in.

I have a new job share colleague at work (she is covering maternity) I am picking up her slack because she is slow (yes she has to get used to the job etc and I am making allowances for this) but yesterday she went to wash her coffee cup and go to the toilet 10 mins before she was due to leave and then did not have time to do a job she she should have done and then I had to do it. It pissed me of somewhat.

Unfortunately you will just either have to speed up or weigh up or decide if the job is for you.

Tell him that the law of the land dictates that workers should be paid for working.

If they are not paying, you don't work.

I'm a bit confused. If you're not getting everything done, you're lucky they're saying start early instead of leave! You're there early anyway, why not do something useful?

I had a job like this, once I complained that I couldn't stay the extra 1hr(unpaid) at the end of my shift or I'd miss my bus. I was told that's ok, you can come in an hour early in the morning.

We were told it was expected of us and was part of our job description to be flexible

Is this casual labour, or have you signed a contract.

I can understand how uncomfortabe you must feel. I washed up in a restaurant for a while and was constantly told I was not doing it fast enough when I began.

But I got used to the routine eventually and I did get more 'efficient'.

Having said that, I do think your current employers are being shits

This is very common with exploitative employers - I expect you are employed by an agency rather than directly by the council. Certainly these days, the lower the wages/status of your job, the more unpaid overtime you seem to be expected to do.

I don't understand why you are getting there early.

I work in a minimum wage job at the moment. I always arrive 5 minutes early but I never leave later than 10 minutes maximum after my shift ends. I was always told if you are paid a salary you work till the job is done and if you are paid by the hour, you work by the hour. I have found it a good rule to go by.

Dont be a mug OP.

Ok so I shall try and make it clearer hope it makes sense this time!!

So I work in a shop on a weekend, get there 5 mins early, finish usually a bit later than I should, as things need to be finished, no problem with this.

This week I started working in a school kitchen, as a casual worker employed by the council. I have a 40 minute walk to get there, so I set off in plenty of time, and when I get there I get changed and then start work as there is nowhere to sit once you get there, so I just get changed then start when I am ready, usually about 11.15/11.20 my start time is 11.30. My first job is washing the big heavy pots and pans etc. today was my first day actually doing it, and as soon as I started (11.20) I was told I should get in earlier, about 20 mins before I should start, so that everything is washed in time. It was my first day washing today and I went as fast as I could, I understand the need for things to be done as fast as possible.

I just feel its unfair that if the work needs doing and there isn't enough time, you need more staff, not just get your staff in earlier without pay. I get the impression other staff come in earlier than they should just so everything gets done as there just isn't enough time.

I feel so exhausted and tearful as I am going as fast as I can and its as though it's not good enough!

Ah- so you are supposed to be there about 11 but they are only paying you from 11.30? No, that's not on.

Did you ask your boss if you where working to slowly? Or is it that they don't allocate enough time for the jobs to be done?

They are being shits. Tell them you will work longer when you get paid for it.

Get there at 11.25, ready to start work at 11.30. Work your hardest for the 2 hours they are paying you for. Leave.

If they complain tell them that you are working as hard as you can for the hours that you are paid for.

I am assuming this is minimum wage work, and you are only doing 2 hours a day - expecting you to do extra for nothing is taking the piss.